Even if some managers wish it would, we can say with confidence that post-pandemic, remote work is not going away. At least, not for “knowledge workers.”
The pandemic forced companies of all sizes—including ours—to ask, can we work remotely as effectively?
The answer was yes—especially for IT and tech roles.
Pre-pandemic, according to a recent Ladders study, only 4% of jobs in the U.S. and Canada were hiring for permanent remote positions. Mainly the jobs were in tech and sales.
Based on responses from the 50,000 largest U.S. and Canadian employers, Ladders projects the number rising to 25% by the end of 2022. This article will explore what the trend means for in-house EDI specialists who might be thinking about transitioning to consulting full time.
First, let’s look at the reasons why remote work is weaving itself into the fabric of the modern workplace.
Why Remote Work Is Here to Stay
It’s not a stretch to imagine that one day, the transition to remote working will be regarded as a social shift as massive as the effect of the GI Bill at the end of WW II.
The 2021 State of Remote Work Report from Owl Labs gives some clues as to why. First, 90% of employees say they were as productive, if not more so, working remotely than they were working from the office.
Another 74% report improved mental health because of being able to work from home.
The benefits of the remote staffing model aren’t limited to employees. Hiring managers are finding that in many instances, the option to offer remote positions increases access to experts nationwide.
Remote workers have even become a sought-after demographic among mid-size American cities eager to attract a new generation of professionals to put to down roots in their communities and stimulate local economies.
For example, Remote Tulsa plans to spend $11 million this year as part to provide $10,000 grants to remote workers who fit the program’s criteria.
Leaders behind the initiative anticipate that spending by remote workers will create 5,000 local jobs by 2025 if the remote incentive program grows as expected.
Edi Consultants— Remote Work Pioneers?
As an EDI staffing and software solutions provider, Remedi was ahead of the remote working curve before the pandemic and resulting lockdown, having developed well-honed communication, time management, and admin skills. Now, the shift to remote in the wake of Covid-19 and its variants have nearly eliminated the on-site requirement.
The average savings of $1,000-1,400 in T&E per consultant per week is another compelling factor in favor of engaging EDI consultants on a remote basis. Obviously, the remote model doesn’t work for a range of activities—operating heaving machinery, food service, patient care, and dental services to name just a few.
But in the face of a labor market that continues to be tight for IT professionals in general, and EDI specialists in particular, the remote model can work for any organization without an on-site mandate.
The Benefits of Remote EDI Consultants
At Remedi, remote EDI consultants come from a curated, nationwide network of proven talent. This expands the available options for clients in need of EDI and other B2B integration skills for project engagements, as well as consulting opportunities for those with in-demand EDI skills.
No longer are clients limited to local talent resources or forced to justify the expense of flying in and the hassle of finding machines and desk space for the outside consultants.
Also, freed of travel delays, working with remote EDI consultants often means our customers can kick off projects sooner. And they can do so with the confidence that comes from engaging proven EDI specialists.
In-House EDI Professional v. Remote EDI Consultants
Many of our best EDI consultants came from the ranks of corporate America, either from the enterprise software side or from companies who deploy EDI platforms such as IBM, Cleo and Boomi to name just a few.
Still, before the pandemic upended society and the economy as we knew it prior to 2020, many in-house EDI employees who may have been curious about the idea were deterred by certain realities of consulting.
Among them were the travel requirements and the prospect of having to spend big chunks of their work week out of town.
Technological advances in video conferencing, security, and activity monitoring that facilitate remote working are changing the work/life calculus of many in-house integration staff. As is the increasing openness of customers to remote engagements.
And, as you can see in the infographic, other societal factors have emerged post-pandemic to accelerate the transition from in-house to consulting. This is especially true for millennial EDI and B2B integration staff.
Are You Ready to Make the Leap to EDI Consulting?
We get that EDI consulting isn’t for every EDI professional nor are EDI consultants the solution for every company.
At the same time, working with an EDI consulting partner can be a win-win for companies with EDI skills gaps to fill—and for the EDI consultants who can fill them.
Want to explore EDI consulting as a career? Drop us a line at staffing@remedi.com.
Other Articles in this Series
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