As the increase in rail tickets came into effect earlier this week, Michael Lawrence, Head of Corporate Propositions at Orange, asks if remote working is a feasible alternative to costly commuting….
2011’s new year bells have rung in not only a new year, they also brought a hike in the cost of train tickets in the UK – with some train operators raising their prices by up to 46%[1]. Because of the increased impact on purse strings, working from home could be an option to reduce the impact of the price increases.
There are simple steps companies can take to enable their employees to work effectively and securely from home. Technology is one tool which all businesses can use to help their employees cope with the disruption of higher travel prices whilst keeping up to date with work.
With a wealth of technology available, businesses have the opportunity to take advantage of the tools which are literally at their employees’ fingertips so that they don’t need to be in the office every single day as train prices soar. So, whether it’s smart phones or 3G dongles, remote users have the ability to keep in contact with colleagues via calls, texts and emails.
The boom in mobile business applications such as real-time access to business systems such as CRM, sales and customer tools, also mean that the answer to any business question is just one download away.
Just because an employee is working from home, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the same IT protection that they enjoy in the office. Using a managed VPN will offer secure, high speed access to business services and applications remotely from a business device, so you can be confident that information is safe.
While we know the price hikes won’t go away, businesses can take steps to ensure that their employees have an alternative to paying more for their travel. Companies should consider taking action now to ensure that their employees are equipped and their businesses protected against whatever is thrown at them.
By Michael Lawrence
Head of Corporate Propositions
Orange
www.orange.com
