Expanding your telecommuter workforce may have a significant impact on network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and corporate culture. Progent has 20 years of background helping businesses of all sizes to design, configure, administer, optimize, and debug IT networks that incorporate a remote workforce. Progent can help your Centennial organization to select the right tools and follow best practices in building and operating a safe virtual office solution for telecommuters that promotes teamwork and delivers maximum business value. Progent offers support services ranging from as-needed guidance for helping you over occasional IT roadblocks to full project management to help you successfully complete mission-critical initiatives.
Progent's consultants can help Centennial, Colorado businesses to succeed with any aspect of creating a high-performing telecommuting environment by providing network infrastructure design and configuration services, IP voice expertise, voice/video conferencing integration, collaboration platform selection and deployment, public cloud integration, Call Desk services, data security, data protection solutions, and unified management.
Network Infrastructure for an At-Home Workforce
Configuring the network infrastructure needed to support an at-home work environment can be especially complex if you must accommodate a mix of worker-owned equipment like PCs and laptops, routers, and Wi-Fi APs from an assortment of vendors and with a mix of operating systems and firmware releases. Progent's background delivering remote support for both outdated and current technologies in virtual office solutions allows you to make efficient use of your existing network infrastructure and offers fast access to expertise for making essential upgrades. Services offered by Progent to help your company to implement a productive work-at-home ecosystem include:
VoIP Integration for an At-Home Workforce
Extending the company PBX system to accommodate telecommuters is vital to supporting an effective work-at-home solution. A broad range of cloud-based digital PBX products are used by SMBs to support remote users. Many enterprises rely on Cisco's current or older platforms for VoIP management. Progent can assist businesses of all sizes to plan or maintain a telecommuter VoIP service that provides the flexibility, convenience and security required for remote users. Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE IP Voice consultants offer advanced support to assist organizations tune their existing Cisco VoIP systems to handle an expanding at-home workforce.
Video Conferencing for Telecommuters
A wide selection of voice/video conferencing platforms from major vendors enable virtual discussions, video conferencing, chat, and screen/content sharing for both onsite users and telecommuters. Many organizations utilize multiple products to meet the needs of their different partners and clients. Progent's communications experts can assist your organization to maintain your existing conferencing ecosystem and optimize the experience of your at-home employees.
Microsoft Collaboration Platforms for Remote Workers
Microsoft's collaboration platforms are closely integrated with Microsoft's familiar Office and Microsoft 365 families, providing a powerful ecosystem of productivity apps that create a cohesive user interface for exchanging information across a corporate network and on a wide selection of endpoint devices. Progent has provided remote consulting support for SharePoint and Exchange Server since their original publication and can help your company to deploy these critical collaboration products to maximize the productivity of your at-home workforce.
Microsoft's collaboration platforms are tightly integrated with Microsoft's popular Office suite, providing a rich ecosystem of applications that deliver a consistent user experience for sharing information across multiple sites and on a wide variety of endpoint devices. Progent has provided remote consulting services for SharePoint and Exchange since their initial releases and can help at-home workers set up and use these flagship collaboration platforms to maximize productivity.
Microsoft Teams works on top of Microsoft 365 and supports third-party cloud services to deliver real-time collaboration. Designed as a substitute for Skype for Business Online, Microsoft Teams and Teams Premium can enable chat, audio/video meetings that include screen sharing, calling, cloud voicemail, group email, plus file and app sharing. Teams is closely integrated with Microsoft 365 and relies on Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Entra (formerly branded Azure Active Directory) for delivering its full range of features. For additional information about Progent's consulting services for Microsoft Teams and Teams Premium, visit planning and configuration expertise for Microsoft Teams and Teams Premium.
SharePoint utilizes web entities to enable collaboration and knowledge sharing by providing policy-driven delivery of content, workflow, and utilities for searching through enterprise-wide business data. SharePoint allows you to create protected web portals that enables remote workers to see and update consolidated corporate intelligence by means of Wikis, Blogs, social networking sites, and Web Parts (Widgets). To find out about Progent's SharePoint expertise, see SharePoint configuration and development expertise.
Exchange and Exchange Online offer secure collaboration features including public folders, shared mailboxes, and shared calendars and contacts. Progent's Microsoft certified Exchange experts can show you how to activate and utilize these features for your at-home workers. To find out about Progent's Exchange consulting services, visit planning and configuration consulting services for Exchange Server.
OneDrive is Microsoft�s collaborative cloud-based storage service, similar to GoogleDrive. Remote workers can store files to OneDrive, and co-workers can retrieve them securely via a browser. Included with Microsoft 365, OneDrive allows at-home workers to co-edit files. Revisions created offline are synced when you reconnect to the Internet. To find out about Progent's support services for Microsoft OneDrive, refer to Onedrive configuration consulting.
Public Cloud Integration Services for Telecommuters
Progent can provide affordable online support for enabling organizations to create, manage and repair integrated network models that incorporate internal data centers, at-home workers, branches, plus public cloud resources. Progent offers expertise for all modes of cloud service delivery such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service. Progent can help telecommuters resolve issues with public cloud access, identity, and security.
Microsoft Azure is a leading family of cloud services that enables you to utilize infrastructure, servers, and key applications hosted on Microsoft's massive cloud. Azure features over 100 services services such as hosting for Windows and Linux-powered virtual machines, on-demand cloud storage, messaging, app development with Visual Studio, and backup/restore. Progent can assist your organization to deploy virtual machines on Azure Virtual Machines, configure storage on Azure Storage services, unify identity control with Azure AD, and plan data backup and recovery systems with Azure Backup. Progent's cloud experts can also help you establish protected connections to Azure services for remote workers by setting up and troubleshooting firewalls and VPN tunnels. For details about Progent's consulting expertise for Azure, refer to Azure expertise.
Microsoft 365, previously branded Office 365, is Microsoft's growing family of client productivity software and cloud services offered on a subscription basis. Microsoft apps and cloud services are marketed in a selection of plans designed for users ranging from individuals and households to major enterprises. Progent can provide fast and affordable remote contact with consultants knowledgeable about Microsoft 365-compatible client devices running Windows, Mac, iOS, and Google Android technology. Progent can assist you to assess the numerous subscription plans offered with Microsoft 365 and configure 365 apps for your teleworkers to achieve maximum business value. To find out about Progent's expertise for Microsoft 365, refer to Microsoft 365 consulting services.
Microsoft 365 Exchange Online is one of the most popular cloud-based applications in the Microsoft 365 product line. Exchange Online offers the benefits of reduced costs for data center infrastructure, easier management, dynamic scaling, high reliability, and other advantages associated with public clouds. Microsoft has engineered Exchange Online to run smoothly with on-premises deployments of Exchange, enabling customers to create hybrid networks. Progent's certified Exchange experts can provide occasional help to get you past challenging technical bottlenecks and also offer comprehensive project management outsourcing to ensure your at-home workers have convenient and secure access to your Exchange Online deployment. To learn Progent's consulting expertise for Microsoft 365 Exchange Online, go to Microsoft 365 Exchange Online configuration and support consulting.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a pioneer in the public cloud market and is the world's top provider of cloud-based services. Progent offers quick and affordable online contact with cloud connectivity consultants who can assist your organization to plan, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot hybrid IT networks that integrate Amazon AWS cloud services with local resources and with other public clouds like Microsoft Azure. Progent also can provide access to Cisco-certified CCIE networking experts to help your company to create a high-uptime network architecture so your users have a productive computing experience regardless of whether they are working from your main office, a remote branch, from home, or on the road. For information about Progent's consulting expertise for Amazon AWS, visit Amazon AWS consulting services.
Google Cloud Platform is a leading collection of cloud computing services that offers Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Platform-as-a-Service products. Progent's Microsoft, Linux, and Cisco experts can help your organization to scale your existing IT resources with the Google Cloud Platform, and Progent's database experts can show you how to make your mission-critical applications cloud friendly so your at-home workers can benefit fully from Google Cloud Platform services. Progent can assist your business to set up VMs on GCP Compute Engine, plan an efficient storage solution with GCP Storage services, and streamline identity control for remote workers with Google Cloud Identity services. Progent's experts can also assist your business to use GCP's management tools to control and monitor your Google Cloud ecosystem. For information, see Google Cloud Platform (GCP) consulting support.
Help Desk Services for Remote Workers
A fast, enterprise-wide switchover to a telecommuter business model, which could be motivated by an epidemic or as an element of a disaster recovery plan, can overstretch even the most efficient internal Help Desk. Progent's Help Desk services make it possible for organizations of any size to outsource or supplement their Support Desk by using Progent's remote Technical Response Center team.
Security for At-Home Workers
Work-from-Home employees typically use their personal computers and usually operate in a poorly secured physical area. This situation multiplies their vulnerability to cyber attacks and requires careful configuration of firewalls, anti-malware tools, multi-factor authentication, remote monitoring, thorough user education, and the creation of security policies based on best practices. Progent's veteran roster of cybersecurity support consultants can help you to design, implement and maintain a compliant security solution that guards critical information assets in environments that include remote workers.
Firewalls enable companies to build a network that can be securely utilized by local users as well as by teleworkers, mobile users, vendors, customers, and other stakeholders. Next-generation firewall appliances allow you to assign and manage different access rights to different groups of users and to expand your network and adjust your security profile as your business evolves and as cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated. Progent supports both current and legacy security appliances from all leading manufacturers including Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Check Point, Juniper, SonicWall and Fortinet. To learn more about Progent's firewall configuration expertise, see firewall configuration and support services.
Remote Endpoint Monitoring makes it possible to track the disparate computers used by at-home workers and either reject or spot and mitigate the latest threats such as ransomware. With ProSight Active Security Monitoring (ASM) services, a lightweight software agent is put on every protected endpoint, watching all activity and utilizing state-of-the-art machine learning and full execution context from SentinelOne to identify new attacks before they can spread. When a cyberattack is spotted, ProSight ASM instantly isolates the targeted device from the corporate network to quarantine the threat. Since the ProSight Active Security Monitoring software agent is autonomous, endpoint devices remain protected even if they are not connected to the Internet. Progent is a SentinelOne Partner, dealer, and integrator. To find out more about ProSight Active Security Monitoring, visit remote endpoint security monitoring for remote workers.
Progent's Duo authentication Service Plans utilize Cisco's Duo technology to defend against password theft through the use of two-factor authentication (2FA). Duo supports one-tap identity verification on Apple iOS, Android, and other personal devices. With Duo 2FA, when you log into a secured online account and enter your password you are asked to verify who you are on a device that only you have and that uses a different network channel. A wide selection of devices can be utilized as this second means of authentication such as a smartphone or watch, a hardware/software token, a landline telephone, etc. You can register several validation devices. To find out more about ProSight Duo identity validation services, go to Duo MFA two-factor authentication services for an at-home workforce.
Security Audits can evaluate the vulnerability of your information system to all classes of outside and local security threats for an environment that incorporates at-home workers. Progent can run remote, automated security analysis software for rapidly and economically uncovering a broad range of security gaps that can be found over the Internet. Progent's security audit experts, which can be provided by network security experts with advanced certifications such as CISA, CISSP, and GIAC, can assist your company to audit your workflows and policies and assess your IT infrastructure to enable you to implement top-level protection for your remote workers.
Horizon3.ai's NodeZero Pentest Platform is a cutting-edge penetration test (pentest) product family that supports automated threat assessment of your at-home connectivity solution as well as your internal and perimeter networks to help you uncover, rank, fix, and verify security weaknesses before threat actors can take advantage of them. Progent's pentest experts can assist you to deploy NodeZero to perform comprehensive pentests of your perimeter and your internal IT infrastructure so you can evaluate your present security profile. Progent can also help you to strengthen your existing network security and can help you to design and deploy a unified cybersecurity strategy that simplifies management and delivers optimum protection for on-premises, cloud-based, at-home, and perimeter IT assets. To find out more information about Progent's vulnerability analysis services powered by on NodeZero's PEN test products, visit Consulting Services for NodeZero's Pentest Products.
Download White Paper: Securing a Work-From-Home Network
To read or download a white paper describing key areas to concentrate on for securing a network that incorporates telecommuters, click:
Protecting a Work-From-Home (WFH) Environment White Paper. (PDF - 2.4 MB)
Data Protection Solutions for Telecommuters
The field of Data Protection involves backing up and restoring vital information in order to avoid data loss and reduce restoration time and effort in the event of storage system failures resulting from equipment issues, software hiccups, human error, malware, or any other reason. Reliable data protection solutions can be especially challenging to architect and maintain in hybrid networks that incorporate local data centers, public clouds, and at-home workers.
Unified Management for At-Home Workers
Microsoft has rebranded and rebundled its endpoint management products under the name Microsoft Endpoint Manager, which encompasses Intune for cloud management of mobile and remote devices and Configuration Manager for managing local computers. Endpoint Manager features a centralized solution for protecting critical data by controlling onsite, mobile, and home-based endpoint devices.
Microsoft Intune
Intune is a component of Microsoft's Endpoint Management family that also features Configuration Manager. Intune is a cloud service for managing and securing off-premises devices and applications. Remote endpoint computers can be personally owned or company owned. IT admins managing the enrolled endpoint computers of telecommuters can utilize Intune to provision and validate applications on managed devices, push updates and certificates, configure policies for permission to access information and resources, set passwords, establish VPN tunnels, control how telecommuters share information, set up threat protection, verify compliance, and wipe corporate data from missing, stolen or decommissioned devices. Intune can be used with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS/OS X devices. For details about Intune and to find out how Progent can assist your company to use this platform to administer the devices of your at-home workforce, refer to Intune remote device management experts.
VMware Workspace ONE
VMware Workspace ONE is an advanced centralized Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform that allows network administrators to keep remote endpoints current and secure. Workspace ONE incorporates VMware AirWatch for centralized endpoint administration plus VMware's Horizon virtual software delivery technology for authorization control, app management, and setup management of endpoint devices. Workspace ONE runs with devices powered by Windows 10, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, or popular distributions of Linux. VMware Workspace ONE is offered by subscription as a cloud service or as an on-premises deployment through a one-time purchase. Key features of VMware Workspace ONE include fast remote deployment of out-of-the-box notebooks, immediate onboarding of new users, policy set up and enforcement for all categories of devices, aggregated reporting and performance analytics, an email encryption gateway, and tight integration with Microsoft apps and cloud products. To learn about Progent's support for VMware Workspace ONE, visit VMware Workspace ONE remote device management expertise.
Contact Progent for Remote Workforce Support Services
To get in touch with Progent about building and maintaining a productive telecommuter solution for your Centennial, Colorado company, phone