By Rajani Baburajan, TMCnet Contributor

Virtual office solutions help businesses reduce traditional office costs and improve communications in a professional way. This type of office combines an array of technologies including IP phone systems, answering services, virtual receptionist, video conferencing and more, along with other space services like official communications addresses, mailing addresses and executive suites.

Businesses that adopt virtual office solutions include home-based entrepreneurs, law firms, doctors, business consultants, mortgage companies, collection agencies, trainers and incubators.

Of late, WeCo, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” that employs people with disabilities, has selected a virtual office service to support the needs of the Certified Test Consultants (CTCs).

WeCo hires individuals with disabilities to work as Certified Test Consultants (CTCs) to test websites for accessibility. The virtual office allows them to work out of their homes and connect with WeCo staff via various technologies.

The organization has hired six CTCs recently and there are eighteen other CTS (News - Alert) who are currently working in the company. The virtual office solution will create an opportunity to retain sustainable employment.

The benefits of virtual office solutions are already proved in all types of businesses that employ mostly able bodied workers, so there is more reason for WeCo to be proud of. CTCs at WeCo can benefit from features like high-speed Internet access and video conferencing so that employees can stay connected from almost anywhere.

"Working in a virtual office allows me to be able to accomplish my work, something that would be difficult to do if I needed to get to a job in a brick and mortar office," says Denise C., a new hire who is undergoing training to be a CTC (News - Alert). "Working together with the other staff at WeCo, via the technology that is available, allows us to work together as a team, something I really enjoy."