What is a modern workspace?

The term pops up everywhere: "modern workspace". But what is it actually, and why should you as an SME do anything with it? In this article we explain in plain language what a modern workspace is, what it delivers and how it differs from how many companies still work today.

What is a modern workspace?

A modern workspace is a workplace that is no longer tied to one computer or office. Your email, files, collaboration and security are in the cloud, usually in Microsoft 365. As a result you work the same way everywhere: at the office, at home or on the road, on your laptop or your phone, always securely and with the same files.

It is the opposite of the classic situation in which everything is on a server in the cupboard and you can only really work well at the office. A modern workspace makes you flexible, without compromising on security.

Modern workspace versus the old way of working

The difference from the traditional workplace is big. In the old way, everything revolves around a physical server: you have to buy, maintain, secure and replace it in time. Working outside the office is only possible with workarounds, and if the server fails, work grinds to a halt. Moreover, security is often only as good as the last time someone looked at it.

With a modern workspace all of that shifts to the cloud. There is no longer a server that ages, you work just as easily everywhere, and security and updates run automatically. You move from "keeping a server running yourself" to "simply being able to work securely, wherever you are". That saves costs, hassle and risk.

What does a modern workspace consist of?

A well-set-up modern workspace combines a few components into one whole:

• Email and calendar in the cloud, at hand everywhere.
• Files and collaboration via SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams, so everyone works with the right version.
• Communication via Teams: chat, call and meet in one place.
• Security with secure sign-in, protection against phishing and device management.
• Remote management so new laptops set themselves up and updates happen automatically.

It is not about separate tools, but about an environment in which everything is aligned and centrally managed.

What does a modern workspace deliver?

For an SME the gain is mainly noticeable in daily work:

• Productive anywhere. Working from home or on the road happens effortlessly, without hassle.
• Quick to start. A new colleague is fully set up with a few clicks.
• Less hassle with IT. Updates and security run in the background.
• Safer. Modern protection that grows along with the threats.
• Predictable costs. You pay per user, and scale along with your organisation.

In short: your team works more pleasantly and you have less to worry about.

A modern workspace and modern management belong together

A modern workspace only truly comes into its own when someone also manages it well. Providing the technology is one thing, but the value lies in setting it up well, securing it and keeping it up to date. That is why we deliver a modern workspace as a complete service: Microsoft 365 Modern Work, set up according to our Modern Work Baseline and managed as part of all-in IT management.

That way you get not only the tools, but also the certainty that they work well and securely. What that costs, you see transparently on our rates.

Who is this interesting for? Actually for every SME that still works with a server at the office, where working from home is still a hassle, or where security has not had attention for a while. The move does not have to happen all at once: we look together at what the logical first step is for your situation and build it out calmly.

Ready for a modern way of working?

Curious what a modern workspace looks like for your organisation? Schedule a no-obligation consultation. We look at how you work now and show what could be better and easier.