In a normal world, starting a new job should be exciting, not frustrating. Unfortunately, for remote employees, this process usually begins with delays, technical issues and missing equipment. They can’t dive into their roles since they have to chase IT approvals and wait for laptops first.
Remote onboarding presents some unique challenges for IT and HR teams. In traditional office setups, IT can hand over a device in person. While working remotely, teams must navigate shipping logistics, software provisioning and complex security protocols – all without direct oversight. The result? Unnecessary costs, miscommunication and onboarding delays.
Common IT Bottlenecks in Remote Onboarding
More often than not, companies onboarding remote employees face these recurring challenges:
- Slow hardware deliveries: slow procurement, last-minute ordering and shipping issues mean new hires can’t start working with their essential IT tools.
- IT and HR misalignments: IT might not be notified about a new hire in time, in order to set up accounts and devices.
- Manual IT Tracking: when companies use spreadsheets to track hardware/software assignments there is a risk of errors and lost devices.
All these inefficiencies cause frustration, reduce productivity and have an impact on employee experience. Studies show that approximately 88% of employees believe the onboarding process determines their long-term engagement with the firm. As a result, a smooth start is a critical part of ensuring retention and job satisfaction.
Using ITAM Software to Eliminate Onboarding Delays
The current framework requires IT teams to rely on a scalable, automated approach to onboarding remote employees. This is where IT asset management (ITAM) tools can really make a difference. Businesses have the ability to automate workflows, track assets in real-time and improve cross-team communication, ensuring that every new hire has what they need – on time.
- Automated Procurement & Shipping: device ordering can be streamlined with ITAM software. Laptops, peripherals and other accessories can be delivered in time, so employees can start from the first day.
- IT and HR Centralized Communication: IT teams receive automatic alerts about upcoming hires when ITAM software is connected to the HR platform. This is the solution to avoid last-minute scrambles with account configuration.
- Asset Management in Real-Time: it’s possible to track each device from procurement to deployment. This ensures visibility over who has what, reducing the risk of lost assets.
- Readiness for Security: using ITAM software companies can ensure devices are pre-configured with security policies, encryption and access control even before shipping.
Choosing a Smoother Way to Onboard Remote Employees
IT bottlenecks in remote onboarding shouldn’t happen for businesses with distributed teams. The longer an employee waits for the right tools, the longer it takes for them to contribute. That’s the reason why some firms are already using all-in-one IT logistics solutions for seamless onboarding.
Dots simplifies remote onboarding using tools meant for automated IT procurement and asset tracking. This way, every new hire gets the right equipment on time, anywhere in the world. With built-in integrations for IT and HR, Dots eliminates miscommunication and increases efficiency. If you want to see how it works, book a demo and see how Dots can help your team work smarter.