For many organizations, employees have moved to a hybrid or even fully remote work environment. If this is the case, organizations could now require employees to print checks at home. Without the proper planning and hardware, this could lead to all sorts of issues.
We asked our experts here at TROY on how to seamlessly transition your check printing process from the office to a home workspace, and what are some things to keep in mind.
If you’re moving your accounts payable or payroll operation to a temporary or permanent work from home status – or looking to modify a home operation – it’s important to understand the complete check printing workflow prior to making the move to ensure a smooth transition. Here are just a few key considerations to review with your IT team before setting up your check printing at home:
Working from home is challenging enough, but when you add the complexity of hauling a printer, paper, toner, and work computer to your home office (or in some cases “bedroom” office) and finding the proper place to store them, things tend to get even more complicated. Add to that, not everyone is as trustworthy or securely setup as we hope, and this can create an environment rife with fraud.
While we don’t want to think of people being capable of committing fraud, the fact remains – it can happen. And while the percentage is small that these scenarios could occur, do you want to be part of that percentage?
Poor technological infrastructure and inadequate cyber and data security can hamper the productivity of employees working from home – and represent a cyber risk to businesses. Employees have noticed an increase in fraudulent emails, spam, and phishing attempts in their corporate email since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. You should work with your IT department to provide trainings and resources so your employees know the warning signs and don’t fall victim to these attacks.
Since cyber and data security are equally as important regardless of whether staff are working from home or in the office, employers are now putting in place a whole range of cyber and data security measures. This raises the question of how employees perceive these measures. Specific problems include access to data, a poor VPN connection, limited access to software tools that they have been using for years privately, and not being allowed to use their own printer.
Have you been trapped at home working for months trying to perfect your home office work environment? I bet the space looks gorgeous, is finally perfectly organized, and you have all the office supplies you need by now.
But, the checks you are printing still need signed and getting a signature isn’t exactly easy. Consider using digitized and encrypted signatures and logos. These can be securely stored on a USB and used with a TROY MICR Printer, so you can easily and securely apply signatures to all the checks you are printing from a home office. This eliminates the burden of running to the office or coordinating to meet up with the CFO to hand sign checks.
Digital signatures have definitely been HUGE assets to our existing customers and would be a hassle-free and efficient addition. Because we all know nobody wants to change out of their comfy pants just to go get a signature.
Before you can print checks at home, you need to set up your home workstation. It’s best to coordinate with your organization’s IT department or help desk to assist with any set-up. This allows them to assess how strong your network is or if you have all the supplies and equipment needed.
And, of course, when it comes to installing a TROY printer at home, our Technical Support staff is happy to assist you with setting up the printer and validating the TROY fonts and features. For any assistance, contact us at techsupport@troygroup.com.
You’ll love working from home! You get along with everyone in the office, you can show up in your PJ’s, and you’re ALWAYS employee of the month!
But seriously, you’ll want to make sure you have a printer for checks with anti-fraud security that will make your life easy, but also take up a tiny (itty bitty) footprint in the home office. In addition, I recommend using blank check stock, if you aren’t already. Because it is completely blank, you don’t have to worry about it (and consequently your organization’s banking information) getting lost or falling into the wrong hands.
Don’t have a TROY printer or looking to add more? Our work from home bundles have everything you need to conveniently move your check printing to a home office. Call 304-232-0899 or email secure@troygroup.com today. Let us help you find the right printer for secure checks that fits your organization’s home check printing process.