want to reduce remote work so badly? Let’s explore that question, as well as how an information management system can provide a secure foundation for continuing remote work.

Why Return to the Office? 

One of the biggest problems that face companies with a large remote workforce is information management and security. Remote work opens up many new risks to a company, especially if employees use their personal computers to work. These devices aren’t secured or monitored by IT teams and can pose significant security risks. In addition, employees may share sensitive documents or information via their personal email or file storage accounts, creating further security problems.

In addition to these security problems, document storage and organization can become problems with a largely remote workforce. Documents must be exchanged wholly electronically, and this process is most often accomplished through email attachments. Such a system makes effective file organization nearly impossible. What’s more, if even one employee loses power or internet connection at their residence, everyone loses access to important documents that may be stored on their computer.

However, while these problems are very real to companies, they are unlikely to concern many employees enough to motivate a return to the office. So, how can companies improve their information management to promote effective remote work?

An Intelligent Solution for Remote Work 

If your company plans to have some employees work remotely for any length of time, an intelligent, modern document management system like M-Files is key. M-Files provides a secure, organized platform where remote workers can collaborate with ease.

In the first place, M-Files allows any worker to immediately access any document they may need. Because M-Files organizes documents according to what they are, not where they are stored, employees have access to powerful search and metadata features that allow them to find exactly what they’re looking for at a moment’s notice.

Secondly, M-Files maintains only one authoritative version of each document—while recording detailed version history. M-Files replaces confusing email attachments of various versions of one document, cleaning out your inbox and greatly reducing the risk of manual error or conflicting versions of one document. Asynchronous and synchronous collaboration is simple when you’re all working on a single document.

In addition, M-Files allows you to automate certain workflows: for example, sending a document to the next person who needs to review or sign it. These automatic workflows can save your employees hours of time, especially if they work in different time zones.

Lastly, M-Files has strict security measures in place to protect your data and documents. You have complete visibility and control over who is able to see or edit a document. M-Files makes compliance with data protection regulations easy.