Remote and hybrid work, set up properly
Working from home is now a normal part of office life, but many setups were thrown together in a hurry and never revisited. We make sure staff can work securely and comfortably from home, the office or the road, with the same files, phones and support wherever they are.
Remote & hybrid work setup for small and medium businesses
The quick fixes from a few years ago are still in place in plenty of offices. Staff connect to a server through a VPN that drops every hour, or worse, through remote desktop opened straight to the internet. Some use their own home computers, with business files saved alongside the kids' homework. Calls go through personal mobiles, meetings happen in three different apps, and the person who set it all up has since left. It mostly works, but it is slow, hard to support and risky.
A sound hybrid setup starts with the device. Each person gets a business laptop that is encrypted, protected, kept up to date and can be locked or wiped remotely if lost. Files live in SharePoint and OneDrive so they are reachable anywhere without a VPN, and any remaining server applications are published securely rather than exposed. Microsoft Teams brings chat, meetings and, if you like, phone calls into one place, so a customer reaches the right person whether they are at their desk or at home.
Then there is the home office itself. A good headset, a second screen and a decent Wi-Fi signal make more difference to a working day than most software changes. We help staff set up their spaces, give simple guidance on home networks and routers, and support people wherever they work. Auckland and Hamilton staff can bring a laptop in or get an onsite visit; everyone else gets fast remote support.
What's included
Business laptops
Laptops set up through Microsoft Intune or Apple business tools, encrypted and protected, and ready to use when staff first sign in.
Cloud file access
Shared drives moved to SharePoint and OneDrive so files open from anywhere without a VPN, with offline access for travelling staff.
Secure remote access
Remote desktop and VPN exposure removed or locked down, with multi-factor sign-in and access only for the people and apps that need it.
Microsoft Teams setup
Teams and channels organised around how your people work, plus guidance on meetings, chat etiquette and sharing files instead of attachments.
Calls from anywhere
Business phone numbers that ring on laptops and mobiles through Teams or your phone system, so customers can reach staff wherever they are.
Home office kit
Advice and supply of headsets, docks, monitors and webcams, quoted in writing first, with help getting them connected.
Home network guidance
Practical tips for staff on router placement, Wi-Fi security and separating work devices from household gear.
Support wherever staff are
Remote support for anyone working from home, and onsite help in Auckland and Hamilton when something needs hands on.
Who is remote and hybrid work setup for?
This is for you if:
- Staff work from home part of the week and complain about the VPN
- People use personal computers or phones for work files
- You have remote desktop open to the internet for out-of-office access
- Customers struggle to reach staff who are not at their desks
- You are hiring people who will work fully remotely in other parts of New Zealand
Not sure where to start?
Our free IT health check looks at your devices, accounts, backups, security and network. You get a short written report with what is working, what is at risk and a price to fix it. No obligation.
Book the health checkRemote & hybrid work setup questions
Do we still need a VPN?
Often not. Once files are in SharePoint and OneDrive and email is in Microsoft 365, most staff never need a VPN. Some older applications still require secure access to an office server, and we set that up safely for the people who need it.
Can staff use their own computers?
It is possible with the right controls, but we generally recommend business-owned laptops. They are easier to secure, support and recover if lost, and they keep business data separate from personal use.
Do you support staff in other parts of New Zealand?
Yes. Remote support covers staff anywhere in New Zealand. New laptops can be prepared and couriered ready to use, and onsite visits outside Auckland and Hamilton can be arranged as planned project work.
What does a good home office need?
A business laptop, a headset with a decent microphone, a second screen and reliable Wi-Fi cover most needs. A dock makes switching between home and office simpler. We can recommend and quote kit in writing first.
Is remote work support included in your plans?
Yes. Support for staff working from home is part of every plan, the same as in the office. Hardware and one-off setup projects are quoted separately.
How do we stop data leaving with a laptop?
Encryption, multi-factor sign-in and remote lock and wipe protect lost or stolen devices. Data loss prevention rules in Microsoft 365 can also limit sharing of sensitive files outside the business.
Can you help us run better hybrid meetings?
Yes. We can set up meeting rooms with cameras, microphones and screens that work with Teams, so people in the room and at home can see and hear each other properly.
Other ways we help
Managed IT
One monthly price per person for support, security, updates and backups. Your outsourced IT team.
Managed ITIT support
Remote and onsite help when you need it, billed by the hour. No plan, no contract.
IT support
Cyber security
Practical protection against scams, ransomware and account takeover, set up and kept current.
Cyber security