NXP: Race against time to set up remote working infrastructure during outbreak

Businesses are racing to set up home office infrastructure as more people begin to work from home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The New Zealand Government this week announced measures to combat the outbreak in New Zealand, including encouraging people to work remotely when they can.

Office supply firm National Express Products says there are hundreds of thousands of employees in New Zealand who will not be adequately prepared to work remotely.

"The rapid rise in remote working due to COVID-19 is being driven by large multinationals and has seen New Zealand employers and their staff scrambling to establish home-based offices to ensure business continuity," explains Joe Taylor, CEO of National Express Products.

He says the company is beginning urgent delivery of supply packs to thousands of Kiwi employees now forced to work from home.

NXP (previously Staples and Corporate Express) are having to create packs which include; small printers, monitors, keyboards, handsets, copy paper and stationery as well as cleaning and hygiene products.

"We have more than 200 customers who employ around one million Kiwi workers with most of these people having to work remotely in the coming weeks," says Taylor.

"Businesses are preparing the majority of staff for a potentially extended period of home-based work, which may grow further if schools are closed," he says.

Taylor says that while the technology is in place to allow remote working, there is still a need to equip the home with basic office, cleaning and hygiene supplies.

"For the first time in 30 years, our B2B NXPortal will also be opened to the public with next day delivery to home addresses," he adds.

The company has been helping the government prepare for a pandemic and has been purchasing and holding pandemic and self-isolation kits in stock for several years.

Taylor says the company's expertise in the commercial cleaning industry will provide a high degree of continuity against supply shortages.

He says the company currently ships over one million cartons annually to businesses and government agencies with cleaning product sales increasing by 100% in March alone.

"Demand for hygiene products is at unprecedented levels in New Zealand which has caused unnecessary stress to people," says Taylor.

NXP has created a new dedicated task force of 30 staff in Auckland dedicated to securing stocks of hygiene-related products which are in high demand to ensure the continuity of businesses and government in the wake of COVID-19.

"We also want to make these supplies available to businesses and the public in a way that means they don't need to leave home to access them," Taylor adds.