The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of employees to work from home. In the months and years ahead, experts say remote work will become more prevalent. In this article, we take a look at the influence COVID-19 will have on organisational changes to their remote workforce policies.
COVID-19 accelerates the growth of remote workforce
Although working remotely is now widely seen as a temporary measure, experts say it’s more likely to become the norm. They are recommending that we treat the temporary remote work situation caused by the lockdown as the trial run for a permanent and expanded remote workforce.
Technology leads the way
According to remote work strategist, Laurel Farrer, it typically takes six to 12 weeks for a smooth transition from on-site to remote work. Companies are now having to make the leap immediately without the time to plan the process correctly.
Many companies have had to adjust on the fly to deal with a lack of equipment and policies, insufficient broadband access, missing or inadequate software, appropriate cybersecurity measures and other elements that would typically fall into place given weeks or months to plan.
The working world has gone from looking at remote work as an option to realizing it’s an inevitability. “It went from, ‘Is this happening?’ to ‘It’s here. How can we make this sustainable?’” Farrer said.
“Too many companies are concentrating on finding a collaboration tool when the bigger issue is training people how to work with others in remote work situations,” said Jack Gold, founder of J. Gold Associates.
“It’s as much (or more) about the ‘how-to’ than ‘the technology required to do it, and many companies don’t know how.’
Strengthening the human element
It is no simple feat to transition all your employees into a decentralised, remote workforce. Those companies that were in the process of moving to a remote workforce model are the lucky ones. They have had time to plan and prepare. The rest of the world has had to do it immediately, on the fly.
With the onset of COVID-19, management has been forced to make some hard decisions around remote work to ensure the survival of the company. One of the big changes is the notion that you cannot manage your workers if you cannot see them. However, COVID-19 has changed this forever. You are now obliged to practice social distancing from your employees but fortunately, by making use of available IT technology, you can remotely see them and interact with them.
Shifting to a remote workforce
Shifting from mostly on-site to fully remote is considerably more complicated than just sending employees home with laptops. It also requires significant shifts in management practices and communication methods.
COVID-19 and beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic will force us to change the way we do business. The most obvious change is the accelerated adoption of a remote workforce by a business. Working remotely is entrenched in the IT industry and business will use their experience to roll out procedures and policies to the rest of the organisation.
Windows 11 Upgrade - Will it work on your lapop?
So, you’re wondering about Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. It looks snazzy and has some neat features. But can your current laptop actually run it? Don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in IT to figure this out! We at abacon IT in Cape Town are here to help you understand the basics.
Upgrading your laptop to Windows 11 can give it a new lease on life. However, Windows 11 has certain system requirements. These are the minimum specifications your laptop needs to have to run the software smoothly. Think of it like needing the right ingredients for a recipe – without them, it just won’t work properly.
One of the most important parts is your laptop’s processor, often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the “brain” of your computer. Windows 11 needs a fairly recent and capable CPU to function well.
Which Processors Work with Windows 11?
Here’s a simplified look at the processors that are generally compatible:
Intel Processors:
- Generally, Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer. You might see names like “Intel Core i5-8xxx” or “Intel Core i7-11xxx.” The first number after the “i” (or “i3”) usually indicates the generation. So, an “i5-8250u” is an 8th-generation processor.
- Intel also has its Pentium and Celeron processors. For Windows 11, only certain newer models are compatible.
AMD Processors:
- For AMD, Windows 11 requires Ryzen 2000 Series and newer. You’ll see names like “AMD Ryzen 5 2xxx” or “AMD Ryzen 7 5xxx”. Again, the first number after “Ryzen” indicates the series.
- AMD also has Athlon processors. Similar to Intel’s Pentium and Celeron, only specific newer Athlon models will work with Windows 11.
Important Note: This is a general guideline. There can be exceptions, so it’s always best to double-check your specific processor.
How to Find Out Which Processor Your Laptop Has
Don’t fret, Windows makes it pretty easy to see what CPU is inside your laptop:
- Right-click the Start Button: This is the Windows logo (usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
- Select “System”: A new window will pop up with information about your computer.
- Look for “Processor”: You’ll find this listed under the “Device specifications” section. It will tell you the name of your processor, including the manufacturer (Intel or AMD) and the model number, which usually indicates the generation or series.
Once you have this information, you can compare it to the general lists above.
Other Important Bits for Windows 11
Besides the processor, there are a few other things Windows 11 needs:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): Consider this your laptop’s short-term memory. Windows 11 requires at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. More is always better for smoother performance. Instead, consider 16 gigabytes (GB).
- Storage: To install Windows 11, you’ll need at least 64 GB of free space on your hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drive). An SSD generally makes your computer much faster.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a security feature. Most modern laptops have this, but it’s worth checking. You can usually find information on how to check for TPM 2.0 in your laptop’s BIOS settings (you might need to consult your laptop manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing this).
- Graphics Card: Your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most reasonably recent graphics cards will meet this requirement.
- Display: You’ll need a screen with a resolution of at least 720p (HD).
Still Not Sure? We Can Help!
Figuring out all these technical details can be daunting. If you’re still unsure whether your laptop is ready for Windows 11, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at abacon IT in Cape Town.
Our friendly team can quickly assess your system and give you straightforward advice. We’re here to help your SME thrive with reliable IT solutions! Contact us at 072-601-2858 or email info@abacon.co.za, and we will call you back.
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