Virtual workers - does it work?

Virtual desktops, virtual servers, virtual networks, now virtual workers?  We really in a virtual world?  Hello - is that really you? 

One of the big benefits of having a virtual worker in a virtual office - you get more done!  Plus you maximize your time, no water cooler time wasting, no wasted time in traffic, finding a place to park, etc. 

To attract today's top talent, "Allowing telecommuting" is second only to "offering higher compensation than competitors" as the best way to attract talent. More than ever before, organizations are looking to expand the ability for their employees to work anytime and from anywhere.

The benefits to allowing teleworking, or the Virtual Office, are tremendous to all parties. The employee saves, on average, $4,000-$7,000 per year, and 350 hours per year. Savings come from reduced auto and business-related expenses.

The employer saves between $5,000 and $10,000 per year from many sources: reduced office space requirements, lowered utilities, lowered employee turnover, increased productivity, and lowered sick time and other unscheduled absences. In addition, the employer is free to expand the hiring pooloutside of typical geographical constraints.

Finally, the environment wins as well. Each car taken off the road is equivalent to the CO2 reduction of 3/4 acre of trees. Move 1,000 employees to a Virtual Office solution is the carbon equivalent to planting 750 acres of trees. That is significant - isn't it?

The Virtual Office is reliant on a few technologies (VPN, IP telephony, and Zero-Touch provisioning)that have entered mainstream adoption and make it very straightforward for an IT department to roll out a Virtual Office solution that is easy to deploy and easy to manage. Typically, the Virtual Office employee is sent a router and an IP phone along with a simple one page instructional sheet. The employee plugs in the equipment, logs on to the network, and the equipment is securely provisioned with a customized configuration within 10 minutes. All home-office equipment can be managed and updated from a central location.

I have seen many companies migrate to a Virtual Office solution for a portion of their workforce, such as a call center, with spectacular results: improved employee morale, increased productivity, and lowered office-related costs.

I propose to you, that we will continue to see an increase in the Virtual Worker in a Virtual Office.  It is a win win for the employee, the company and the environment.  There is also some challenges with this from a technology stand point, and a business continuity plan.  Worth the challenges though, and can strengthen the company long term. 
 
Now, if we can come up with virtual work for the virtual worker - what a deal!
 
Stay positive!
 
Scott Arnett
scott.arnett@charter.net