Category Business

There’s nothing worse than walking into a new job and spending your first day filling out forms, asking where the bathroom is, and staring at a screen that still doesn’t have your login credentials. It’s awkward, overwhelming, and not the welcome anyone hopes for.

According to Gallup, only 12% of employees strongly feel that their company performs an excellent job onboarding new employees, indicating a significant opportunity for improvement through better IT solutions.

With the right IT solutions in place, you can turn a chaotic first day into a smooth, professional, and welcoming experience, both for the employee and your HR team.

Why Onboarding Matters

The first 90 days of any new job are critical. According to SHRM, nearly 1 in 3 employees who quit within their first six months of employment said they received little to no onboarding, and 15% specifically cited poor onboarding as a key reason for leaving. That’s not just a talent issue; it’s a cost issue too.

Thankfully, it does not have to be that way. A well-organized onboarding program can boost retention and improve employee engagement. It’s a huge opportunity to make a lasting impression, and IT plays a key role in making it happen.

The Struggle with Traditional Onboarding

The typical onboarding experience? Forms. Password resets. More forms. Confusion. Waiting.

For HR and IT teams, it’s no better. From tracking equipment to setting up accounts, they’re often buried in repetitive tasks that leave little time for human connection.

Here are a few common headaches:

• Endless paperwork: Wastes time and opens the door to errors.
  
• Lack of role clarity: New hires don’t know what’s expected of them.
  
• No consistency across teams: Every department does it differently.
  
• Tech delays: New employees can’t do their job without access to the right tools.

Fortunately, IT services can tackle every one of these problems and more.

How IT Services Streamline the New Hire Process

Let’s break down how technology can step in and make everything smoother, faster, and more efficient for everyone involved.

1. Start Before Day One with Preboarding

The moment someone accepts your offer, the onboarding process should begin.

Set the tone by sending digital welcome kits, login details, and training schedules. With IT support, you can automate emails, pre-configure accounts, and even ship laptops with the necessary software already installed.

Here’s a preboarding checklist powered by IT:

• Email setup and access to systems
  
• Welcome videos or messages from leadership
  
• Digital forms completed and submitted online
  
• A clear first-day schedule
  
• Slack or Teams invites to meet the team

This gets the boring stuff out of the way so your new hire can hit the ground running.

2. Automate the Repetitive Tasks

Let’s face it, nobody should spend their time manually inputting the same employee data into five different systems.

IT services can automate:

• Data entry into HR systems
  
• Background checks
  
• Compliance training assignments
  
• Reminder emails for pending tasks

This automation gives HR more time to actually connect with new hires and less time chasing paperwork.

3. Make Training Interactive and Accessible

Forget about dull training binders. Modern learning platforms, powered by IT, allow companies to deliver engaging training through videos, quizzes, simulations, and gamified content.

Even better? A learning management system (LMS) can be tailored for each role, so a marketing associate and a software engineer don’t waste time on irrelevant modules.

IT makes this possible with:

• Easy integration of LMS tools
  
• Device compatibility (mobile, desktop, tablet)
  
• Progress tracking and reminders

When new hires learn faster, they contribute faster. It’s that simple.

4. Create One Central Hub for Everything

A unified onboarding portal pulls everything into one place: policies, tools, documents, training modules, schedules, and contacts.

Instead of a dozen scattered emails, employees can access what they need in one click, whether they’re in the office or remote.

IT solutions provide:

• A single login for all onboarding needs
  
• Secure document sharing and storage
  
• Mobile-friendly interfaces for convenience

This not only makes onboarding easier, but also shows your company is organized and modern.

5. Use Analytics to Improve Over Time

Want to know how long it takes your hires to become fully productive? Or which training modules are most effective?

IT systems offer dashboards and reports that track:

• Time-to-productivity
  
• Completion rates
  
• Satisfaction surveys
  
• Drop-off points in onboarding

This data helps you refine the process and prove the value of a solid onboarding strategy.

Making It Personal: Why Customization Matters

Not every new employee needs the same exact path. Some may thrive with self-paced learning, while others prefer scheduled check-ins and mentorship.

IT tools make it easy to customize onboarding based on:

• Role and department
  
• Prior experience
  
• Learning preferences

From assigning a mentor on day one to recommending skill-based learning paths, IT can personalize each employee’s journey while keeping the overall process consistent.

The Role of IT in Manager Involvement

Managers are vital to onboarding, but they’re busy too. IT platforms can send timely nudges and provide checklists to help them stay involved without overwhelming them.

Tools can automate:

• 30/60/90-day check-in reminders
  
• Onboarding task assignments
  
• Feedback collection and next steps

This keeps everyone on the same page and helps managers guide their new hires without dropping the ball.

IT is the Secret to Better Onboarding

Let’s be real, the first days of a new job are nerve-wracking enough. Nobody wants to spend hours digging through old PDFs or waiting for a password reset.

When IT manages automation, integration, and data tracking, you can focus on what truly counts: human connection, confidence, and clarity.

That’s what truly great onboarding looks like. Whether you’re a growing startup or a large organization, contact us today and improve your onboarding with smarter IT solutions. 

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Unified communications are a go-to solution for business owners looking to streamline their businesses and increase employee productivity in the long term. See how it benefits your business.

Providing high-quality communication channels is crucial for any company. After all, it promotes cross-department collaboration and faster exchange of ideas. 

Since phones often don’t suffice for this, many business owners turn to unified communications. 

But what exactly is unified communication?

This article explains just that. Read on to discover the main concepts of this approach and how you can use it to help your business achieve success. 

What Is Unified Communications?

Unified communications is an all-in-one platform that unifies phone, video, screen sharing, chat, and file management into a single space. It’s a ready-to-use system that allows for seamless communication in numerous ways. 

The system operates as a cloud, making it easily accessible to all team members with access to the internet. 

But why should anyone consider switching to unified communications?

There are several reasons, but this is the most crucial: 

Business leaders who adopt it would be able to impact their business every day and make it seamless for employees to interact with each other. 

That said, we’ll list 5 of the key features of this concept to help you better understand how it can help you scale your business. 

The 5 Features

Feature #1. Mobility

When connected to unified communications, all employees can stay connected at all times and from all locations. It doesn’t matter whether they’re working from home, vacationing on a remote island, or sitting in the office. They’ll still be able to chat, receive calls, and more.

Feature #2. Unified Messaging

This allows employees to handle different message types using a single tool. They can easily switch communication modes, depending on their needs. 

Feature #3. Conferencing 

Whenever you need conferencing tools, you’ll have them in the palm of your hand. You can allow a group of teammates or customers from outside your organization to connect and speak via video or audio from different locations. 

Feature #4. Fax Support

Faxes received through unified communications appear as email attachments. This way, users can also receive faxes on their desktops and smartphones. 

Feature #5. Presence

This feature lets other users know each other’s status. That means you’ll be able to see when someone is online (Active), busy (Do Not Disturb), or away (Out of the Office). 

How Unified Communications Help Business Leaders

So, what are the benefits of using unified communications in your business? 

Let’s explore 6 of them below. 

Benefit #1. Higher Team Productivity

It’s important for a business owner to boost their team’s workflow and eliminate bottlenecks. Because once they get to do so, productivity will drastically improve. 

This can be done thanks to unified communications. 

This type of communication makes it easier for team members to save time on various tasks, including:

• Faster file sharing that gets rid of email threads for teamwork
• Ability to receive calls from any location
• Ability to receive voicemails and faxes directly in the email
• Single-click video meetings for emergencies

Teams with access to such technologies can be more effective and get more tasks done in a single day. It also helps get rid of communication challenges. 

Benefit #2. Lower Communication Costs

Legacy phones and on-site communication tools often cost more than your IT budget should allow.

On the other hand, unified communication relies on the internet for all its activities. This means your phone system turns to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and integrates with the rest of the tools. This approach eliminates the need for server and hardware infrastructure creation. 

Unified communications also make it super easy to add new users. You can simply do so via an easy-to-use dashboard without having to make service calls. 

Finally, the cost of unified communications is the same every month. There won’t be any surprises to your budget. 

Benefit #3. Enhanced Customer Service

Whether or not a company is successful greatly depends on the quality of its customer service. 

With unified communications, your employees can provide great customer service easier. After all, they can respond to client queries regardless of their location. It’s because all chats, incoming calls, and emails are visible from any device. 

You can also integrate all your CRM software on the platform for added benefits. 

For example, when a person contacts your business, the person in charge can see all the necessary information and notes related to that client. In the end, they can help them solve issues faster.

Benefit #4. Empowering a Remote Workforce

Thousands of companies have switched to remote work over the past few years. There are plenty of benefits to this approach after all. 

However, a constant concern here is ensuring that remote workers have all the tools they need for work. 

Thanks to unified communications, all communication aspects are included in a single platform. This means that all your remote worker needs is a stable internet connection to get access to your network and all the features, just like the rest of the team. 

Benefit #5. Increasing Organizational Agility

When you increase your team’s productivity, the same follows for the entire organization. The organizational agility reflects the strategic value of unified communications. And the results you achieve impact your business as a whole. 

So, to see how this approach benefits your work, you must view unified communications from the management side as well. 

Sure, communication has a utilitarian role for management. But when that communication drives productivity, streamlines workflow, and leads to enhanced business outcomes, it’s where you really get to see its value.

Benefit #6. Enhanced Security

The security aspect is crucial for every business. And unified communications enhance the security of a business by integrating all applications into a single platform. 

As a result, it becomes straightforward for the IT team to apply specific security policies across all apps. It’s also easier for them to manage security patches and compliance updates since all applications share the same protocols. 

Realizing the Power of Unified Communications 

Streamlining the processes inside an organization is extremely important in improving the overall performance of its employees. And unified communications allow you to do just that. 

With it, you can boost your customer experience and make your team more efficient by integrating your whole communications system into a single platform. 

Unified communications will let you and your team make calls, host conferences, send emails, receive faxes, and chat from a single, unified space to make your job (and life) easier. 

If you’d like to learn more about implementing unified communications in your business, we’d be happy to help. Reach out to us and we can have a 10-15-minute chat to discuss this topic further. 

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Managing data and IT solutions in-house can be challenging and expensive. That’s why many organizations turn to MSPs. 

Digitalization has forced businesses to alter their operations and make IT a huge part of their day-to-day affairs. Still, some owners can’t cope with the change effectively, so they hire a managed service provider, or MSP, to take care of the work. 

But what exactly is an MSP? 

Simply put, this is a third-party company you can collaborate with to help manage parts of your business, such as your IT or cloud needs. It provides technology and expertise to boost your organization’s scalability. 

Working with MSPs can have tremendous benefits for your enterprise. 

For instance, their profound understanding of cutting-edge technology can help you improve performance, operations, and security while reducing overheads. In addition, they can offer several creative solutions to help you navigate the evolving landscape of the big data world. 

But the strongest suit of any MSP is usually their ability to deliver tailor-made solutions that fit your company perfectly. 

Their expertise allows them to analyze your business thoroughly and render their services according to your strengths and weaknesses. Plus, they consider the regulatory environment and compliance to safeguard against legal issues. 

Another great thing about MSPs is that they can support your business even after hours. 

They offer support measures and staff to maintain and protect your organization 24/7. MSPs can even tap into your system to resolve issues and deploy updates without going to your office using remote technology. 

Overall, MSPs can help take your company to the next level. However, you can’t work with just any service provider. You need to select the right team for your enterprise, and this article will show you how. 

Choosing an MSP – What to Look For

Hiring an MSP shouldn’t be a hasty decision. Instead, you want to take a variety of factors into account.

Here are the six important factors to keep in mind: 

Factor #1. The MSP’s Track Record

Prospective MSPs should provide case studies and success stories to demonstrate they’re suitable for your business. You can also look for testimonials, references, and endorsements. These will help you determine if the team has been operating for a while and if their reputation is solid. 

Working with a reputable MSP can give you peace of mind with the knowledge that your system will be appropriately managed. Moreover, you’ll feel confident that the MSP will do all in its power to preserve its name. 

The MSP’s success hinges on yours in some respect, which is why they’ll view you as a valuable partner. 

Factor #2. The Range of Services It Provides

MSPs offer a wide array of services. Some teams are full-service companies, meaning they address your cloud and IT needs comprehensively. In contrast, others may help you with different pieces of your tech puzzle. 

Therefore, consider your needs carefully and ensure your MSP can meet them. 

Regardless of your service package, the MSP needs to keep up with the latest technology trends. Otherwise, numerous security issues may compromise your company and allow the competition to prevail over you. 

Factor #3. Support

As previously indicated, MSPs can work round the clock to ensure your business is compliant and maintained adequately. However, they should also increase their support quickly and adjust staff schedules as your company grows. 

That’s why you should consider an MSP that offers training for your employees.

It lets them understand the necessary changes and encourages them to train other team members as they join your business. But if your employees are too busy, you can instruct the MSP to carry out all the training. 

Factor #4. Response Time

Your network can go down for any number of reasons, preventing your employees from working and your clients from reaching you. This situation can even cripple your reputation, customer base, and revenue. In the worst-case scenario, it can even make you shut down your business. 

Fortunately, a high-quality MSP can help you avoid this scenario. They can identify threats to your system and neutralize them before hurting your company. 

Moreover, if an incident takes place, they should respond immediately. They need to mitigate the risks as soon as possible to keep your organization from crumbling. 

Factor #5. Security and Backup

One of the most important duties your MSP should perform is to shield your data from cyberattacks. This is critical to protecting your company and customers. Besides, safe data storage might be mandatory in your industry, which is why your IT department could use all the help they can get. 

Once you work with an MSP, they should recommend robust security solutions and endpoint protection to combat harmful software. And throughout their engagement, they should consider compliance to help prevent legal issues. 

Another major part of their mission should be the implementation of backup software. It enables you to retrieve your data in case of a breach. Such implementation may involve automation, a restoration plan, and a no-downtime policy. 

With a failproof backup and security strategy in place, you should be able to run your company more confidently. The risk of downtime will be drastically lower, allowing you to operate smoothly, maintain high sales, retain customers, and preserve your brand. 

Factor #6. Guidance on Workflow Options

Your MSP shouldn’t just deal with cybersecurity – they should also suggest adopting the best practices across the entire tech landscape. 

For example, they should advise you on various CRM solutions and project management applications. They should also help you revamp your approach to workflow and data to create efficiency in all departments. 

The fact is, you can yield tremendous results from their guidance. Your team can work faster, collaborate in real-time, and be more tech-savvy. 

Recruit Your MSP Carefully

While price is important when selecting an MSP, it pales in comparison to all the factors listed above. Be sure they’re a perfect fit for your enterprise, even if you need to pay more. 

With high expertise, customized services, and an understanding of threats, a reputable team can help you stay ahead of your competitors. 

If you need more assistance choosing your MSP, get in touch with our experienced team. Let’s schedule a quick 15-minute chat and figure out the ideal MSP for your company. 

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.