The growth of technology and widespread availability of broadband connectivity has allowed for an emergent new sector in the American workforce. Web Commuters. The relatively recent development has grown greatly over the last few years and recent studies now reveal that they make up as much as 23% of the American workforce.
Web Commuters are defined as employees who regularly conduct at least a few hours of work a week from home. In the 1980’s and early 90’s commuters were greatly limited in the type of work they could conduct from home but innovations in technology have allowed for this to change. Technologies such as GoToMeetings and Virtual PC applications allow for employees tens or even hundreds of miles away to share information and visual data as easily as if they were sitting in the same room with each other.
Participants of a survey conducted by Citrix Online revealed that 25% of workers travel more than an hour a few times a month to attend a meeting or conference. The numbers grow even higher for employees who travel those distances or further a few times a year. With availability of web conference capabilities these are often wasted expenses and an unnecessary tax on productivity.
Nowhere is this as apparent as in Tech Support industry. A high percentage of Tech problems can be solved quickly and efficiently through virtual connectivity. It is when travel expenses and miscommunication are taken into consideration that prices become bloated and a burden; virtual conferences and alive many of these problems. Additionally, the time these measures can save will free up technicians to help in those cases that require a physical presence. Recently ITCSNY has taken steps to implement systems that will address many of these issues; increasing productivity and service for costumers.
Most businesses have something to gain from Virtual Commuting of some degree but knowing just how much is something for consideration. Choosing the right solution can make all the difference for the productivity of your company. Flexibility, ease of use, and cost efficiency are the keys to finding a system that will work for you. Take steps to educate yourself in the pros and cons of a virtual office and you will experience an increase in productivity and possibly even employee morale. Whether you personally embrace the movement or not Web commuting is growing and will reshape the business environment in America forever.
- Richard Keene
IT Computer Support of New York
Design and Optimization Department
