Hybrid work IT solutions have become essential, because the way we work has changed—and there’s no going back.
Before 2020, remote work was seen as a perk. Now? It’s the standard. Your team expects the flexibility to work from the office, from home, from client sites, or from wherever life takes them. And let’s be honest—most of us have joined a Zoom call from the kitchen at least once.
According to Grant Thornton, 74% of Irish SMEs now offer hybrid working arrangements. But here’s the problem:
Only 40% of those businesses have the IT systems in place to support it properly.
In other words, the way we work has moved on—but the technology hasn’t.
Why Hybrid Working Is Here to Stay
Flexible work isn’t just about convenience anymore. It’s about business continuity, staff retention, and attracting the right talent.
Employees now expect:
- The ability to work from anywhere
- Easy access to files and tools
- Secure systems that don’t compromise data
- Seamless collaboration—whether they’re in the office or not
Companies that can’t offer this will lose good people. According to the CSO, 70% of Irish workers say flexible working is now a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
So the big question is:
Is your IT setup actually ready for hybrid work?
Let’s find out.
5 Checks to See If Your IT Can Handle Hybrid Work
1. Can Your Team Access Files and Systems From Anywhere?
If your staff can only work properly when they’re in the office, you’ve got a problem.
Maybe you’re still running local servers that require a clunky VPN. Or maybe you’re relying on email attachments to send files back and forth. Either way, it’s slowing your team down—and leaving you open to security risks.
In a modern setup, your employees should be able to:
- Access documents from any location
- Use cloud-based apps seamlessly
- Avoid version confusion with real-time collaboration
If remote work still feels like pulling teeth, your IT needs an upgrade.
2. Are Your Collaboration Tools Fit for Purpose?
Let’s talk about communication.
Hybrid teams need tools that make collaboration easy. That means more than just Zoom or Teams calls—it’s about creating a shared workspace where projects move forward smoothly.
If your team is still:
- Emailing files back and forth
- Using WhatsApp or personal messaging apps for work (big security red flag!)
- Manually tracking tasks in spreadsheets
…you’re making life harder than it needs to be.
A modern collaboration setup gives your team:
- Instant messaging and video calls
- Shared documents they can co-edit in real time
- Project management tools baked into their daily workflow
Microsoft Teams and SharePoint do all of this—and they’re included in Microsoft 365 Premium.
3. Is Your Cybersecurity Ready for Remote Work?
Let’s be honest—cybersecurity often gets overlooked until something goes wrong.
But remote work changes the security game. Your team is no longer protected by the office firewall. They’re logging in from home Wi-Fi, personal devices, and mobile connections.
That’s why cybercriminals are targeting remote workers more than ever. The National Cyber Security Centre of Ireland reports that 60% of cyberattacks now target small businesses—and hybrid working makes it easier for attackers to find gaps.
If your security hasn’t been updated to handle this, you’re at risk.
Modern cybersecurity for hybrid teams includes:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Phishing protection
- Cloud backups
- Device security management
- Ongoing staff training (because people are the first line of defence)
4. Can You Onboard New Employees Remotely?
Growth is great—but adding new people shouldn’t take days of IT admin.
If hiring a remote employee involves shipping them a laptop, manually installing software, and emailing passwords back and forth, your process is broken.
Modern IT allows you to:
- Set up new staff securely
- Manage devices remotely
- Control access to files and apps securely
- Remove access instantly when someone leaves
With tools like Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory (included in our Modern Workplace solution), you can manage your entire team’s devices and permissions without the drama.
5. Are Your Employees Happy With the Technology?
This is often overlooked, but it matters.
If your staff are constantly battling outdated tech, they’ll get frustrated—and eventually, they’ll leave. According to an Irish study by Microsoft, 67% of employees say their job satisfaction is directly linked to having the right technology to do their work.
Happy employees stick around. Frustrated employees don’t.
What Happens If You Ignore Hybrid IT Readiness?
If you don’t upgrade your systems, you’re risking:
- Lost productivity—because remote work takes twice as long
- Security breaches—because hackers love outdated systems
- Employee turnover—because people leave jobs with bad tech
- Customer frustration—because delays affect service delivery
- Falling behind competitors—because they’re already working smarter
In short: hybrid working isn’t going away. And if your tech can’t keep up, you’re putting your business at risk.
Conclusion: Hybrid Work Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
Your team has changed the way they work. Has your technology kept up?
At Viatec, we make it easy to modernise your systems so hybrid work is simple, secure, and scalable. No jargon, no hassle—just solutions that work for how your business operates today.
Let’s chat about how we can help you build an IT setup that supports your team, protects your data, and helps your business grow.
