Home-working technology is here, so what's stopping you?
Home working is certainly not a new concept, but in my view, many companies are not making the most of what is available. True, up until a few years ago, the technology to support home-workers was arguably inadequate, but thanks to various developments – notably IP-based communications and its by-products, such as home broadband, VLANs (Virtual LANs) and so on – it's now possible to support home workers with services that are as reliable, flexible and sophisticated as anything found in the traditional office.
Home working may not suit every business, but for many, it makes clear economic sense, not just in terms of reducing office space and reducing working hours spent commuting, but also to provide a back-up plan for disaster recovery. Think about it: if your company is equipped to de-camp to home working, then you stand a better chance than most of being able to continue operating through floods, transport strikes and various other calamities.
In technology terms, traditional concerns about home workers have included the danger that the user doesn't have the same access to IT and communications systems that they are used to; and whether the company comes across as being less professional.
Neither of these two need apply. For instance, by using IP Centrex technology, which is location-independent, companies can plan for users to work remotely, whether permanently or occasionally. All that is required is a business broadband connection, a login code and PIN numbers for any IP phone based on the network. Once the pin code is entered, your DDI extension, user functionality and preferred settings follow you to the handset. This enables the user to work remotely as if they were at their office desk, with inbound callers unaware if you are in Cardiff, Manchester or working from your home office. Those working in an operator environment simply require the console software on their computer and they are then up and running.
Here's a practical example: by using a business grade VoIP service based on IP Centrex, with an operator console function, it becomes possible for a company employee to run an entire 'switchboard' at home. Through a computer interface, they even see which of their colleagues are engaged on calls, and can manage conferencing and voice recording. Moreover, external callers need never know that the switchboard operator is sitting in his or her own house, not a company office, so there is no impact on company brand.
This same functionality can even be extended to mobile communications. Incoming calls routed to a mobile can, by using a feature called 'pull to ground', be transferred to the nearest 'fixed' telephone, without the caller being aware that it is happening. Thus reducing costs on mobiles.
Tools such as these can help companies properly embrace the business benefits of home working, not just reducing the need for office space, but also ensuring business continuity and above all, flexibility; important in markets where retaining or attracting staff is difficult. For instance, IP Centrex based VoIP could be key in employing 'women returners', who need flexible hours in order to accommodate childcare.
The technology is there. The benefits are clear. So what's stopping you?
John Rees is commercial director at voice and data services provider 8el.
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