Adapting to the current trends is the backbone of any organization’s survival. During the global crisis, remote work or work from home became the norm for office operations for almost every organization, regardless of their industry. What was previously an exception for a few employees became the new normal.

Thanks to advancing technologies and software solutions, this transition was made possible without many hiccups. As the world reopens, many offices are up and running again.

During the work-from-home season, employees and employers alike witnessed many benefits of this new and convenient way of working, which included:

Less office space requirement/ no more rent
No more travel (traffic) headaches during office commute
Flexibility, such as the ability to work from any location and adjust working hours
Improved work-life balance
Increased productivity due to fewer distractions
Reduced operational costs for organizations
A wider pool of talent available to employers, not limited by geographical location.

These benefits have led to the introduction of a new working model called the hybrid work model. With this model, organizations can enjoy the best of both worlds – the flexibility and convenience of remote work and the collaborative benefits of in-person work.

What is the “Hybrid Work Model”?

In simple terms, a “Hybrid Work Model” is a working condition that involves a combination of work-from-home and work-at-the-office. The specifics of the hybrid work model may vary based on company policy. For instance, some companies may adopt an office-first approach, where employees are encouraged to work at the office, but they can opt for remote work if they meet certain eligibility criteria. On the other hand, other companies may have a work-from-home-first approach, where employees work remotely and come to the office only on occasion.

The major advantages of a Hybrid Work Model include:

Reduced operation cost
Increased productivity due to reduced commute time and a more flexible schedule
More flexible working hours
Increased collaboration across different time zones

Due to these benefits, many major companies have now decided to implement a hybrid work model in their organizations.

Factors to consider before implementing Hybrid Work Model

Though it may seem to be a simple implementation, one must keep in mind there are many major factors or elements to consider and ensure your organization’s capability before moving any further.

Type of Hybrid model

As mentioned, the Hybrid Work Model includes two main approaches: the office-first approach and the work-from-home first approach.

In the office-first approach, working at the office is given more priority, while in the work-from-home-first approach, employees can work remotely and come into the office on occasion as requested by their supervisors. These occasions may include set specific periods/dates or random days where in-person meetings are essential.

It is crucial for organizations to carefully consider and establish which approach will work best for them. Factors such as the nature of the work, the type of employees, and the company culture should all be taken into account when making this decision.

Plan for relevant tools and resources

Employees in a hybrid work environment collaborate with their teams either remotely or in person. As a result, selecting the appropriate tools for collaborative meetings in a hybrid environment is essential. Collaboration tools enable teams to communicate, assign tasks, discuss projects, and share knowledge with other team members.

Create a Structured and Transparent work policy

To ensure a successful transition to a hybrid work model, it’s important for companies to establish clear and transparent work policies for all employees. Adopting a hybrid work model raises a lot of questions for employees, such as whether they have the option to work from home one day a week if they can change their office hours, or if they need to notify their employer before arriving at work.

Providing answers to these questions and setting clear expectations can help employees feel more confident and secure in their work environment. By establishing a comprehensive set of policies that address common concerns and issues, companies can ensure a smooth and successful transition to a hybrid workplace.

ITAM and Hybrid Work Model

You might have realized by now when we implement a hybrid work culture, it is very essential to have the necessary means for an active and excellent IT Asset Management or ITAM in your company.

When implementing a hybrid work culture, having an active and effective IT Asset Management strategy is essential. With employees working both remotely and in person, it can be challenging to track and manage the company’s IT assets.

A strong ITAM strategy will help ensure that all hardware and software are accounted for, properly licensed, and secure, regardless of where employees are working from. It will also help identify areas for improvement in IT operations and enable informed decision-making for implementing changes that increase efficiency, reduce risk, and ultimately lead to a more successful ITAM strategy in a hybrid work environment.

What is ITAM?

IT Asset Management (ITAM) refers to the backend inventory management of all your tangible and intangible IT Assets. Controlled and administered by the IT department of the company, this an essential requirement for all and any organization as it is near impossible for a company not to have any IT assets.

ITAM is primarily concerned with keeping track of the cycle count, physical condition, and current location of assets in the company.

By using ITAM software tools like Teqtivity, organizations can take asset management a step further by accessing complete asset history, status, and usage information at their fingertips. This level of detail is critical for managing IT assets in a hybrid work environment, where employees may use assets remotely or in the office.

How does ITAM help for a good Hybrid Work Model?

Understanding the definition of a good ITAM will help you understand why you will need to implement a good ITAM tool in your organization as a step in implementing a Hybrid work model for your company.

The reasons being:

Better virtual supervision

With some or most employees working from home, it can be challenging to keep track of who is using which device and how many assets are assigned to them. An ITAM tool allows you to easily monitor to whom each asset is assigned, where the employee is located, and how many assets they have. This can help ensure that everyone has the necessary equipment to perform their job and prevent any potential loss or theft of company assets.

Vendor Integration

ITAM tools like Teqtivity offer vendor integration features. This means you can integrate with your vendors and keep track of all new purchases. For instance, if a new asset is being delivered directly to your employee at their location, you can use the integration features to confirm that it has been delivered, added to your system and that it has been assigned to the correct employee. This helps ensure that all assets are accounted for and managed properly, regardless of their location or how they were acquired.

Cycle Count

Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date cycle count of all your IT assets is crucial for effective asset management. With a good ITAM tool like Teqtivity, you can have real-time visibility of all your IT assets, including the ones that are in storage and those that are currently being used in offices or remote locations. This helps you to track the movement of assets, optimize their usage, and prevent losses or theft.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with the rise of Hybrid Work Model, it’s important to invest in a good IT Asset Management (ITAM) tool like Teqtivity to ensure better virtual supervision, vendor integration, and accurate cycle count of all IT assets. This investment can aid in the smooth running of your organization in this new work model.

Hybrid Work Model and ITAM