How to Improve Your Company's Workflows

Workflow is a key term in today's office, for good reason. Using digital strategy and technology in the right way can create beneficial workflows that will make office operations streamlined and efficient.

Wondering what you can do to capitalize on this current focus? Managed services are one of the best ways to address older, clunky workflows and get them up to speed.

4 Workflow Options for Better Productivity

Employees can work better, faster, and stay focused with proper tools and features in place. What are some examples? Going paperless, to ensure that communications are digital and therefore simpler.

Also, removing tedious tasks that just take unnecessary time - like ordering print supplies and troubleshooting printers. Get ahead of these issues and more with the following managed services.

1. Document Management

Document management is the top fix for operations issues, because it is a service that streamlines everything to digital. This is really going paperless - from contracts to files, from agreements to collaborations, everything is online and easier to stay on top of without the hassle of printing, signing, picking up, etc.

2. Print Management

Print management services take away the problems of printing - getting the right supplies, coordinating maintenance, and more, and have it all covered for you with a team of efficient experts. We'll take it, TYVM.

3. Security Solutions

Managed IT and backup solutions mean major fixes when you need it most - during a risk, threat, or hack. Take every precaution and outsource these critical tasks to the pros.

4. Workflow Oversight

Managed services provide oversight for workflows, so you can understand budgets, time use, and changes, and evaluate your operations and issues as you go. This work style is more efficient than ever before - time to get going!

Improve Workflows by Going Digital

When was the last time you evaluated how your clients and customers actually operate, versus how your business operates? It might be time to think about a critical work disconnect - when we keep doing something because it makes sense to us (like handing out brochures) - but that's not how customers function (they are all searching online, of course!).

The fastest answer to this kind of issue is to shift your workflow to digital, since that's where your customers are anyway.

How Document Management Helps

Document management improves workflows because the service responds to how your teams already do their work. This is also how clients decide on who they work with.

Document management takes your current files and historical information and makes it all digital through a scanning process. Then, storage organization makes it easy to find when you need it. Finally, update other documents for digital operations and your paperless office works better than ever before.

Primary Workflow Improvements

The main workflow improvements include:

Communication - if people are emailing to work with you, then use email to work with them, sign the contract, and move ahead. No need to add steps to get the work done.
Response times - cut response times for client communication and employee communication by streamlining expectations.
Productivity - employees can stay focused on projects instead of managing files, searching for documents, and moving papers.
Traffic - reduce the amount of trips to the printer and copier so employees can stay in the zone.

3 Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Workflows

Although there are all kinds of business solutions out there, from document management to data encryption and beyond, it's critical for your company to think outside the box if you want to see the best results. That doesn't mean ignoring the solutions that have worked for your competition--far from it. All you have to do is take big-picture solutions and tailor them to your company's needs, goals, and ideals, making them uniquely yours so that they fit perfectly. You'll never be able to start reducing overspending or boosting security with a solution designed for someone else.

Ready to get started? Here are three easy ways to strengthen the workflows of all shapes and sizes!

Go mobile the smart way: Many businesses have already turned to mobile solutions to help streamline their processes and cut operating costs. However, one big problem that comes with the territory is security. The good news is that you can enhance mobile security with creative solutions like data encryption or device wiping so that your info is safe as well as efficient.
Reduce overspending in your print environment: Printing, when left unchecked, can be expensive. Solutions like managed print services can help you identify your habits, cut out unnecessary printing, and choose the best devices and consumables so that you save as much money as possible.
Take advantage of scanning: Scanning can be your company's best friend. By helping you go digital and rely more on electronic documents, scanning allows you to eliminate inefficiencies and find new opportunities all in a few simple steps.

Secure Your Workflows With These Quick Tips

Looking for a few simple but efficient ways to enhance security in your workflows? Check out these quick tips!

#1: Consider going offline.

Going offline seems ridiculous in this day and age. The truth, though, is that printers and copiers are often a hacker's first targets, so disconnecting them from the network is a good way to boost security. Weigh the benefits, consider making some changes to your workflows, and see if taking your printers offline could be possible in your business.

#2: Split up your network.

Although security should strive to protect everything as a whole, that doesn't necessarily mean that all of your tech should be "in the same place". Try splitting up your connections so that different machines are on different segments of the network. This way, if hackers do gain access, they only get into one "segment" at a time.

#3: Control access.

Controlling user access is a great way to enhance security without making sacrifices. Just set up different user accounts with the appropriate permissions, include passwords or ID cards, and you're set!

One thing to remember when it comes to enhancing IT security is that there are no shortcuts. Some solutions are simpler and more efficient than others, sure, but they all require research and planning so that you can implement them properly and get all of the possible benefits. The best way to approach security--whether it's document security, print security, or workflow security--is one step at a time. Don't rush, don't panic, and make savvy choices about how you defend what matters.