Remote Access Solutions Enable 'Web Commuting' for Small Businesses

Much of the time, when people speak or write about solutions that enable distributed workforces to do their jobs or collaborate using “virtual” technologies, the assumption is that this technology is useful only or mostly to very large corporations. But, remote access and collaboration tools can be very valuable to smaller firms as well.

 

The fact is, collaboration between people not physically in the same space doesn’t always involve connecting people in different cities or states; sometimes participants are on different floors in the same building or down the street. There isn’t always physical space in a particular office to hold all the people who need to work on a particular project.

 

To get some perspective on how small businesses are using remote access and collaboration solutions, TMCnet turned to Brett Caine, president at Citrix Online (News - Alert). Caine shared his insights about the new trend of “Web commuting” among small businesses.

 

 

BC: To paraphrase Timothy Ferriss, New York Times bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek: “Work is no longer a place where you go, but rather a thing that you do.” For a growing number of American workers, the traditional office is becoming more of a touchpad than a daily destination. Increasingly more of us are performing at least part of our jobs from virtually anywhere, at any hour of the day, thanks to technology that allows us to take the office wherever we go. On-demand collaboration technologies like GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting enable workers to access their computers from anywhere, and connect with colleagues and clients anytime, online.

 

 

BC: Today's remote workers have a diverse toolkit, comprised primarily of Internet-driven technology. These tools allow them to hold online meetings for small group collaboration and training, conduct Web conferencing for larger group presentations, and provide or receive remote tech support—all in real time.   

 

 

BC: Web commuting refers to using the Internet to get work done without physically traveling.  A Web commuter is anyone who uses the Internet to "commute", i.e., works from home or another offsite location for at least a few hours a week to do his or her job. Unlike the telecommuters of the 1980s and 90s whose primary work-from-home tool was a land-line telephone, today's Web commuter relies on Web-based technology to work from a location other than the company office.  

 

TMCnet: What are some of the ways Web commuting benefits enterprises? Small businesses?    

 

BC: Today, business has no boundaries. Every business can recruit employees and pursue customers across the globe, because the Web is everywhere, all the time, and Web-based technologies like online collaboration make it easy for people to connect with each other from anywhere in the world. Because many of these technologies are easy to use and affordable, small businesses can compete in way that wasn’t possible when these technologies were expensive, complicated, and therefore available only to large companies.

 

 

BC: Our GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting customers tell us there are many benefits of Web commuting, but the primary advantage is flexibility. For many, spending more time with family (because they can work from home any time of the day) is the biggest payoff.  Others appreciate being able to avoid the distraction of chatty or disruptive coworkers, by working someplace other than the office. Increased productivity is seen as another big advantage of Web commuting by both employees and small business owners. Another important factor is that Web commuters save money on transportation-related costs, avoid traffic and save time by not commuting—in addition to contributing towards a greener environment. 

 

 

BC: Freedom from the office clock, with the ability to control their work schedule, is the most appealing aspect of Web commuting. Employees and small business owners alike place high value on setting their own hours, as well as the ability to work any time of day.   

 

 

BC: Web commuting is incredibly simple. Companies can become Web commuter-ready by adopting a mindset/policies that encourage remote working and online collaboration—then provide employees with the Web commuting tool kit that will enable them to work from anywhere, with anyone, any time. 

 

 

BC: Citrix Online designs and delivers simple but powerful Web-based, on-demand solutions that enable people to collaborate in real time with anyone, anywhere. Because our products perform exceptionally well, people can count on them to “just work,” freeing up time to innovate together and share ideas.

 

BC: Our products are easy to use, affordable, secure and reliable. They perform exceptionally well. GoToMyPC, GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar and GoToAssist are designed to meet the needs of small businesses, without excessive features or complexity. We help small businesses meet the challenges of sales, marketing and training through our remote access, collaboration and support products.  

 

 

BC: We expect more companies to embrace the concept, and more entrepreneurs to start up new businesses because they will be able to take advantage of Web technology to drive their business success.

 

 

BC: Web commuting is a 21st century phenomenon. As more people—whether employees, employers or entrepreneurs—learn about the possibilities of "virtual" work, the use of (and demand for) technologies like those of Citrix Online will increase and a new paradigm for the global work force will take shape. We hear from our customers every day that they are using online collaboration in many new ways—innovating, inventing and having fun by turning tasks into competitive advantages.