The widespread adoption of hybrid and remote work has transformed how businesses operate and employees collaborate. While the world has largely resumed its former pace since the pandemic, the “temporary” work models adopted during the height of the COVID crisis are, it seems, here to stay. In fact, studies reveal that the number of remote workers is projected to increase to a whopping 94 million by 2024.

Remote and hybrid work presents many benefits for employees and employers alike. Working from anywhere allows employees flexibility and autonomy, resulting in a better work-life balance and greater satisfaction. Employers benefit from increased employee happiness and productivity as well as a diversified and global workforce of talent, resulting in lower operational costs.

As organizations grow and teams become more geographically distributed, it calls for a reliable and adaptable strategy to manage your IT infrastructure throughout its entire lifecycle. This is where a comprehensive Endpoint Managed Lifecycle solution can prove invaluable. A fully managed lifecycle framework covers all the infrastructure needs of an organization, from procurement and configuration to deployment, maintenance, warranty, retirement and refresh.

Equipping Your Workforce for Success

Shifting work dynamics confront IT systems with new challenges, such as mitigating cybersecurity threats, preventing data loss, adopting recent upgrades, and assuring the health and efficiency of endpoints.

We will explore the four key values of an endpoint-controlled lifecycle and how it can safeguard and empower your business as you embrace a modernized workforce.

1. Simplified IT Services

The growing reliance on technology and the transition to remote work has increased the need for coordinated IT services. All employees, whether hybrid, remote, or in-person, need to stay connected and productive. Engaging in an endpoint managed lifecycle centralizes control and visibility over several remote endpoints. It covers aspects of device administration that can be automated, resulting in a smoother end-user experience and relieving your in-house IT team of otherwise tedious tasks.

2. Fortified Security and Data Protection

While a mixed work environment may increase productivity and employee satisfaction, there are some extra considerations to be made when allowing employees to work outside a secure internal network. Preventing exposure to cybersecurity vulnerabilities remains a priority.

A secure approach to hybrid and remote work involves deploying an endpoint protection strategy. This means enhancing end-user devices such as PCs, laptops, or mobile phones that can also be used as entry points for malicious actors. Improving and enabling your security posture through a professional partner ensures that your defense layers are covered with automated patching for off-network technologies and protected with a cloud backup.

3. Seamless Collaboration and Communication

Technology has enabled borderless and free-flowing communication, bringing virtual and in-office employees closer together. An endpoint managed lifecycle helps improve collaboration by successfully provisioning and managing endpoints with the latest maintenance and security measures, ensuring continuous connectivity regardless of location.

4. Provide On-Demand Assistance

When most employees are distributed remotely, your in-house IT team faces the daunting responsibility of tracking company assets, which can quickly consume already limited time and resources. Tapping into the expertise of a managed lifecycle provider can relieve that burden by leveraging the experience and full-coverage support of specialists capable of handling a wide range of lifecycle management tasks, such as device provisioning, software upgrades, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Stages of Implementing Managed Lifecycle

Implementing a managed lifecycle for your business involves a structured approach to ensure seamless integration. Here is an overview of the process:

• Assessment and Planning – The first stage involves an evaluation of your current IT infrastructure, policies and procedures, end-user personas, and types of assets that will be managed or procured. This step will assist you in developing an appropriate plan that aligns with your business objectives.
• Integration and Deployment – Once assets are acquired, the next step is to install and configure software into the corresponding equipment before assigning it to end-users.
• Maintaining and Updating – Following the rollout, continual monitoring and maintenance, including software updates, patching, and performance optimization via endpoint management software, will be critical for optimizing the endpoint’s lifespan.
• Decommission and Disposal – The final stage is to retire endpoints that have reached their end of life. A controlled process is observed to ensure secure data destruction in environmentally sustainable ways.

Harnessing the Power of Lifecycle Management

Endpoint managed lifecycle is not simply a one-and-done initiative; it consists of many moving parts that support the modern workplace. Adopting lifecycle management services from a trustworthy partner in the hybrid landscape enhances asset visibility, reduces cost, and improves risk management, leading to greater organizational resilience.

UDT offers a holistic approach to Lifecycle Management with an end-to-end solution including endpoint protection, device configuration, support, and much more. When you’re ready to discuss your custom managed lifecycle plan, consult with our experts.