With the rapid rise of modern technology comes the onslaught of new modes of communication. Nowadays we can have our pick from a plethora of tools and services that allow us to converse with our personal and business contacts. Our computers alone, along with a working Internet connection or internal network, provide several communication points. It has become the norm to have at least one e-mail account and an instant messenger for chats. Online forums, and recently Google Wave are being used as organization tools. For small to medium businesses, innovations in IT and communications technology has allowed for the birth of a new species of employee – the telecommuter.

Weeding Out the Cons of Working Out of the Office

A telecommuter is basically the fancy term for a home-based worker, or any hired person who works outside of the office. These remote workers can be either freelancers or full-time employees. Many small to medium based businesses employ telecommuters because they are a cost effective source of manpower. Also, since they do not work in-house, the work area does not end up too crowded or cluttered. The downside of telecommuting is that the company cannot personally supervise their home-based workers. There is always the risk of miscommunication. Telecommuters also usually tend to be behind on recent updates and announcements. However, there are human resource practice-based ways to go beyond these issues and make the most out of telecommuting.

Connecting remote locations weeds out the cons of working out of the office. Companies can communicate and collaborate with their telecommuters much more efficiently with the help of remote IT tools that allow users to access the headquarters’ main network from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Tools of the Trade

Companies can connect remote users and remote locations via the World Wide Web using DSL, T-1, frame relay or other solutions. With the help of a team of competent and extensively experienced IT professionals, a small to medium-sized business firm can set up a secure remote network that can act as the portal for telecommuters to keep up to date with what is going on inside the company. The portal can take the form of a remote e-mail server or a Web-based desktop. IT solutions such as Terminal Services, Citrix and thin clients allows companies can give their remote workers access to the same services as if they were in the office such as file servers and even printers.

Not Just for Telecommuters

Establishing a remote network does not only make for more efficient communication and collaboration with the company telecommuters; it can benefit in-house workers as well. The network can be configured to be accessed by all workers involved, so that even those who are based in the office can go to their file server should they need to check on something work-related at home.

IT solutions such as LogMeIn, GoToMyPC and Microsoft RDP allow workers with separate computers at home and at the office to share files and other data between the two systems. That way, there will be no confusion over which computer has an updated version of a file.

Dealing with Security Issues

Connecting remote users and remote locations can greatly increase the efficiency of business operations. However, security breaches are not out of the question. Remote networks, much like any other IT network, are prone to bugs and other malicious applications. All Covered is one IT solutions provider that not only helps in establishing the company’s remote networks, but also offers full-time, 24-hour support for its clients. IT consulting advisors pinpoint and fix issues before they blow up and disrupt the system. Remote networks become less susceptible to security breaches. Companies are rest assured that only authorized people can gain reliably secure access to the network.

For more help with your IT network and wireless solutions contact the IT consulting experts at 866-446-1133.