Essential Hybrid Work Tools for Small and Medium Businesses

Hybrid work has existed for a while, but we’ve seen a recent surge due to global circumstances. Accommodating or adapting to the hybrid work model can be transformative for small and medium businesses (SMBs). However, some essential tools can make the process easier and more streamlined. 

As we see an increase in remote and in-office collaboration, having the right devices will bring success and retain interpersonal relationships crucial to a company’s work culture.

The rise of the hybrid model in SMBs

There are various advantages to making the switch to a hybrid work model. Due to the flexibility, remote and in-office options can accommodate the diverse needs of your employees. Doing so will contribute more to work-life balance and employee satisfaction, which could help your bottom line. Allowing employees to choose their work format can also promote a positive work culture. They won’t find themselves having to choose between work and personal needs.

SMBs can simultaneously take advantage of cost savings by scaling down office spaces or forego office rent completely and reduce utility bills. Another positive aspect of the hybrid work model that can impact the operations of your SMB is competition. Businesses will be in a more competitive position to acquire suitable professionals from a global talent pool as opposed to strictly in-office roles.

A hybrid work model is a strategic financial choice that’s practical and evolves with the modern workforce.

Tools

Hybrid work tools are the keys to success while SMBs make the transition. Here are our top devices and PC accessories that can propel you into the new frontier of remote work.

HP EliteBook 640 G9 Notebook

We start with a laptop that puts security first. The HP EliteBook 640 G9 has a 12th Generation Intel^® Core^™ i7 1265U processor designed to be powerful and reliable. Crystal clear speakers will allow you to hear the voice of your remote employees without fail, thanks to HP Dynamic Audio and HP AI Noise Reduction. 

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What stands out most about this particular model is the HP Wolf Pro Security Edition interlaced with HP Sure Click Pro and HP Sure Sense Pro. It allows files and information to be shared without worrying about security breaches and data leaks.

Pros

• Latest Intel processor

• HP Wolf Pro Security Edition

• High performance

• HD camera

HP ProOne 440 G9 All-in-One PC

For those looking for something more permanent in an office space to connect with the workforce virtually, we have the HP ProOne 440 G9, an all-in-one PC. It has everything you need, including commercial-grade performance, security and ultimate reliability.

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The unit also comes with HP Wolf Pro Security Edition, HP Sure Click Pro and HP Sure Sense Pro. These features will keep your PC operating in tip-top shape even without a dedicated IT team - more cost savings!

It also has HP’s self-healing BIOS that automatically recovers from malware, rootkits, or corruption.

Pros

• Proficient security

• HP Sure Click

• Commercial-grade performance

• EPEAT and Energy Star-certified

Poly Voyager Free 60+ Earbuds plus Touch Screen Charge Case

Visual connection issues can be a drawback to working remotely, but so can poor audio quality. You can circumvent these issues for your SMB with the Poly Voyager Free 60+ Earbuds. They are designed to fit comfortably inside your ears to bring crystal clear sound via a three-microphone steerable array.

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It also has a touch screen charge case that clearly displays the battery status and presents easy controls. The earbuds connect easily to Bluetooth devices to connect your workers together, even on airplanes.

Pros

• Perfect for airplanes

• Optimized for virtual meetings

• Poly Lens cloud-based device management software

• Touch screen charge case

HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4

We’ve got your SMB covered on all fronts, and the next one is the HP Thunderbolt dock 120W G4. The dock works seamlessly with most notebook computers and operating systems. It doesn’t matter if parts of your tech setup are not from HP because the dock accommodates Windows, Mac or Chrome OS.

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The dock supports high-quality displays and is ideal for hybrid workers because it simplifies device management.

Pros

• Supports up to 4K displays

• Works with various operating systems

• Easy device management

• Faster downloads

HP E22 G5 FHD Monitor

If a monitor is all you need, then the HP E22 G5 is the one you want. The monitor displays images and pictures with pristine accuracy thanks to its 99% sRGB colour depth and IPS technology. It’s easy to place anywhere in any setup due to its slim profile and lightweight construction.

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What makes the Full High Definition (FHD) monitor so appealing is its intuitive controls. It’s easy to use and protects your eyes with flicker-free tech and low blue light filter. The monitor is also EPEAT and Energy Star-certified to cut down on your expenses.

Pros

• Contain recycled plastics and metals

• High resolution

• Customizable settings

• Slim stand

Security in hybrid work

Tools for hybrid work are just one aspect of the remote transition, but security should go hand-in-hand with every consideration in an increasingly digital environment.

Data encryption

Keeping data safe in any environment is important. Data encryption, which transforms data into unreadable code for anyone but the intended party, is fundamental to cybersecurity. We fully understand this and provide all our users with robust security solutions.

HP Wolf Pro Security

HP Wolf Pro Security, as offered in many of our devices, is a complete defence mechanism against security threats. The security measure adopts robust threat detection and response capabilities. It can be difficult to conduct system maintenance and protection with a widespread team, but HP Wolf Pro Security undertakes a holistic approach to cybersecurity, making the process simpler.

User authentication

Know who’s accessing important company data at all times. A key factor in access control is user identification because it verifies user identity before giving access, making sure only those with the proper credentials or permissions can.

HP devices give SMBs an extra layer of protection with user identification features that help protect your hybrid work environment. We take “for your eyes only” to the next level. 

Device security

Aside from protecting the network and data infrastructure, we also have features that protect your devices. HP Sure Click Pro and HP Sure Sense Pro are examples of malware detection solutions and a method to shore up weak entry points on your device.

We know that implementing a hybrid model takes time and work. Our goal is to help SMBs integrate into the progressive hybrid work culture by taking care of all aspects, especially security.

Maximizing productivity in a distributed team

You’ll have the security aspect down with our products, but it can take more than that to ensure productivity in a remote and in-office work environment. Make use of the following tips to maximize your team’s productivity.

Collaboration platforms like Teams

Consider opting for collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Using these platforms can help SMBs communicate and collaborate in real-time and, therefore, still maintain the same efficiency compared to in-office teams. 

Project management tools

Geographical restrictions may have applied before, but once you implement project management tools on top of collaboration platforms and HP products, they will no longer be a hindrance. 

Most project management programs, such as the Atlassian suite of tools like Jira and Trello, work well with our operating systems. SMBs can utilize them confidently to streamline document collaboration and workflow optimization.

Document-sharing platforms

We then have document-sharing platforms, like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox. These are all examples of popular document-sharing platforms trusted by SMBs and even larger corporations alike. Think of them as a central repository for your important files.

You can count on HP’s integrated security features to extend to these platforms and arm your digital devices with the security necessary to keep sensitive files safe but still accessible to the rest of your team.

Summary

SMBs can transition gradually into the hybrid work model without compromising cost savings, work flexibility and job satisfaction. The key to a successful pivot is opting for secure hybrid working tools to enhance the experience for all. Not only that, but understanding the challenges you may face, the benefits of a hybrid company, and how to maximize efficiency will catapult your company into the next phase of the digital economy.