Tech.knowledge.me - April 2009

Remote Working Tools To Boost Forward-looking Businesses

by Michael Clark

    There is a new world of work out there; it’s global and it’s mobile, no matter the size of a business. Even for small and midsized businesses the implementation of remote-working technology is the way forward. 

    In the current down economy, policies and technology that support remote working are gaining popularity with employers because they enable companies to access a larger talent pool, improve productivity and lower overhead.  Interestingly, though, according to survey results released by Microsoft Corp., the remote working trend isn’t gaining as much traction with today’s office-bound employees as you might think.

    Employees surveyed in 25 midsized U.S. cities collectively reported that nearly two-thirds of their employers are supportive of remote working arrangements. Yet, less than half of those polled reported taking advantage of the option. Locally, slightly less than a quarter of all Las Vegas employees who were surveyed reported that they take advantage of their company’s option to work remotely.

    Slow adoption of remote working may be explained by the fact that in many ways, it is still a relatively new phenomenon. If a business is tentative about the remote working movement, consider putting a formal policy in place. According to those surveyed, only 40 percent of companies have one. Additionally, take some time to learn more about the following “out of office” solutions:

    Unified Communications

    Enabling employees to work remotely has the potential to complicate office communications. But unified communications streamlines communication and enables increased collaboration between workers in multiple locations with technology that integrates experiences once associated with the telephone into documents, spreadsheets, instant messaging, e-mail and calendars. 

    DynTek, an IT services provider with offices throughout the U.S., including one in Las Vegas, has implemented unified communications to facilitate real-time collaboration between its employees in multiple locations.  Now, employees are collaborating more spontaneously with one another because they can easily view their colleagues’ online availability, initiate Web conferences from their own desks and turn one-on-one meetings into multiparty conference calls, all in just seconds. 

    Because DynTek employees are collaborating more quickly and efficiently, they have improved their response time, which has in turn, increased client satisfaction.  With better ways to connect and share information, the company can pursue additional new business opportunities. Furthermore, because employees are more prone to conducting Web conferences from their desks, the company has been able to make high-value investments in its IP network infrastructure, rather than in additional conference rooms and equipment.  

    Interestingly, many businesses own the rights to unified communications solutions software and don’t even know it. Before making a purchase, review existing technology agreements to assess need.

Server Central

    Some of the latest server technologies deliver great business value for companies that want to enable employees to work remotely.  Servers designed to enhance collaboration let employees store, share and access documents, e-mail and calendars from any location.  With features that treat documents like library books that must be “checked out” one at a time, these servers permit greater version control, increasing collaboration between employees in different locations.  

    Carson Valley Golf Course in Gardenerville, NV has taken advantage of server technology specifically designed for small businesses.  Now, authorized employees can access the accounting system, e-mail and customer information from their mobile phones or home computers.  As a result, the course’s owner has increased flexibility and peace of mind, knowing that his business’ needs can be addressed from anywhere, at anytime.

Encryption for Protection

    The threat of lost or stolen laptops and other hardware is a risk faced by all businesses with remote workers.  The potential loss of sensitive corporate and client information on mobile computing devices has always been a concern of IT departments and has likely slowed the adoption of remote working.

    Newer operating systems address many of these security concerns with tightly integrated encryption solutions. BitLocker Drive Encryption, for example, is a data protection feature that makes all data on one’s computer indecipherable to unauthorized users. 

    Today’s remote working trend is likely to become an institution, and businesses that empower their employees to work remotely now will gain much-needed competitive ground for the future. So, prepare for that future now, by making the most of technologies that support remote working.

Michael Clark
Michael Clark is with Microsoft’s Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners group.