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According to a recent study in Boston, people who telecommute to work are more productive and better able to manage a work/life balance, in addition to the obvious benefit of saving money on gas. The study went on to say that even though people had the option to telecommute, well over half of them didn't because they worried about job security and missing face-to-face interactions with coworkers.
Because of mobile technology, complaints about telecommuting can be a thing of the past. Some tools such as the latest smart phones, remote-access software and mobile computers allow workers to break free of their cubicles, while still achieving interaction with coworkers and a better work/life balance.
Right now, the typical office has a desktop computer, an office phone, and, for many professionals, a cubicle. While this environment used to restrict employees to the office, electronic alternatives are making it easier for employees to telecommute from the comfort of their homes.
Working away from the office carries a lot benefits that favor productivity and an overall better working environment for the employee. But, if a telecommuter is still bound by a desktop computer, it's like being chained to a desk—even if that desk is at home. So, it's important to take control of work/life balances and productivity even when telecommuting. Finding the right technology can make it possible.
The latest laptops have become just as powerful as desktop alternatives, making opening multimedia rich files a snap. Hardware configurations that telecommuters will need on their laptop depend on the job that they have. Those who mostly do word processing, slideshow presentations or spreadsheet editing aren't going to need as much computing power as someone who edits video, does digital audio engineering or graphic design.
While a laptop might be a must-have for some telecommuters, those who just need simple office suite capabilities could get away with a netbook. Netbooks look much like laptops but are smaller and lighter than a full-fledged laptop. While being affordable, netbooks are traditionally not as powerful as their laptop counterparts, which can cause some frustrations when dealing with files that are content-heavy.
Tablet computers are another alternative and are the latest technology evolution—even expected to overtake netbooks in the future. Tablet computers typically offer more screen real estate, the latest features in touch-screen technology, and are more mobile than netbooks and laptops because of their compact size. The downside is that tablet computers are often expensive and still not as powerful as their laptop counterparts—requiring accessories and add-ons in order to do similar tasks.
Even with great mobile hardware, remote workers still need direct access to their company systems. For those who work for larger businesses, remote-access software is usually provided by the company. For professionals in smaller companies who need to set up their own remote desktops, there are several virtual networking software solutions available that can be installed at work to make telecommuting an easier transition. Except for work phones, remote desktop software gives telecommuters virtually the same access to company systems that employees are familiar with in the office.
Accessing a work phone from a remote office can be an easy transition as well when forwarding the number to a smart phone. Now that many smart phones have new capabilities such as video calling, real-time email delivery and document editing, smart phones are an absolute necessity for telecommuters who need to work anywhere—anytime.
With video calling, telecommuters have the ability to achieve face-to-face interactions virtually anywhere they go. Real-time email delivery keeps telecommuters in constant, up-to-date contact with coworkers and clients, making the difference between response times at the office and anywhere there's a reliable Internet connection almost indiscernible. The ability to enter documents on the go gives work-at-home professionals the ability to access, edit and attach documents to emails anywhere there's a data connection. With the newest smart phones, telecommuters have the tools to make it easier to do their job, as well as open up the possibilities as to where telecommuters can live and work.
Technology has made telecommuting an easy alternative for many workers. As technology continues to progress, it's not hard to imagine a future in which more people work remotely. Through technologies that allow people to stay connected and be in constant contact, telecommuters can worry less about missing interactions and focus on getting the job done while reaping the benefits of working from anywhere in the world.
References
Kelly, W. (2009, August 6). Elements of a corporate telecommuting program. WebWorkerDaily.
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