How to select a business PC in the era of hybrid work

It's too early to give up saying "I can't do it..."! How to choose a business PC that troubled information systems should know

"Telework (remote work)", which has spread rapidly in response to the new coronavirus infection, is progressing one step further to "hybrid work" that does not choose where to work. How should I choose a PC for business in such an era? Before considering the model from the specific functions, shouldn't we consider the deployment method?

 More than two years have passed since the response to the new coronavirus infection continued. Recently, vaccination has progressed and the rate of severe cases has decreased, but the situation is still unpredictable.

 Even in Japan, the introduction of telework (remote work) has been promoted as part of work style reform, mainly by major companies. The corona crisis has accelerated this movement, and it seems that the telework system is being developed as part of the BCP (Business Continuity Plan), including during disasters. Taking a step further from there, hybrid work that does not choose where to work has become one of the keywords these days.

 This kind of movement is not unrelated to small and medium-sized enterprises and SOHOs (small/personal offices). Depending on the industry, telework and hybrid work have the advantage of not choosing a place to work, which is advantageous in terms of securing human resources. You should take some countermeasures before saying, "Our company (office) is small."

Nonetheless, regardless of the size of the company or business, the selection of a business PC assuming hybrid work is one of the major challenges. First of all, even if you can imagine that "equipment for web (video) conferencing is necessary", there may be some people who do not know (cannot think of) other points to emphasize.

 Therefore, we will explain how to choose a business PC in the hybrid work era in three parts. In the first installment , let's consider the deployment (deployment and expansion) of PCs to employees, which we want to be aware of because of "hybrid"


How can I choose a PC suitable
How can I choose a PC suitable for "hybrid work" that can work anywhere?

The first thing to think about is "kitting" rather than "corresponding to web conferencing"

As mentioned above, when considering a PC for hybrid work, many people may think that "equipment for web conferencing is necessary". However, what should be imagined in the early stages is the method of "kitting" and "distribution (delivery)" of PCs . Web conferencing is a story "after" the distribution of PCs, so there is no big problem if you put it off and consider it later.

what do you do in kitting?

 Unlike private PCs used by individuals, PCs used for business require "installation of necessary applications" and "policy settings" in line with the business and security policies of the company or organization. This is the so-called "kitting".

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 Kitting can be done in a variety of ways, and if you only have a few PCs, you can choose to work in the office. If the number of units is too large, there are cases where the "kitting (representation) service" of a PC manufacturer or sales agent is used.

Kitting in the office is often done as part of the work of the person in charge of the information system (the so-called "information system") of a company or organization. It's not that there is no "on-site kitting service" that calls engineers from manufacturers and distributors to the site (office), but it costs money. If there are only a few units in one kitting, the burden on the information system will not be large and it will be cheap.

What is kitting
"kitting" is the work for introducing necessary apps for companies and organizations and setting policies.

Kitting, which puts too much strain on the information system, carries a big risk

 The information system "goes to work", makes the necessary settings on the PC, and delivers it to the user by courier service--even with this, "hybrid work" can be realized. However, if we go back to the “origin” of hybrid work, which is to work anywhere, there are some problems with this method. Of course, the information system has to come to work, but if for some reason the information system can't come to work, the problem of not being able to do kitting and delivery work can't be solved.

 If kitting or delivery stops, the allocation of new PCs will be delayed, and employees' work may be disrupted. In order to demonstrate the "true value" of hybrid work, we should first consider ways to reduce the burden on information systems involved in kitting and distributing PCs .

 In order to improve the continuity of the business and the efficiency of future operations, I would like to keep this in mind.