Blue Ridge Internetworks

Baylor Fooks
July 14, 2008

The hype surrounding “telecommuting” has been around for years, but with gas at $4 per gallon it’s time to take a closer look at how small businesses can help employees and themselves by working remotely.

First, the technologies required to enable remote working are stable and easy to use. We’ve grown up from modem banks and complicated client-based VPNs to easy-to-use technologies like DSL and SSL VPNs. If both your remote worker and your office are served by high speed Internet connections you are almost there, but giving the employee secure remote access by setting up VPNs used to be pretty difficult. Juniper Network’s basic SSL VPN device install in minutes and requires no software on the remote client. What I like most about the Juniper device is the ease of use. The remote user launches their web browser, goes to the the designated URL, logs on, and is presented a landing page of short cuts to common things you want them to have access to like remote desktop sessions and intranet or Sharepoint links. Juniper has hit a home run.

Secondly, small business can and should make use of hosted applications. This reduces dependency on the “HQ” facility, it’s Internet connection, and can often result in immediate deployment of tools vital to growing your business. Too often small businesses start down a path of building an IT empire like their big brethren, only to find out owning software and servers is a big commitment. A great solution is to use best-of-breed hosted services and get back to running your business. Do you require Quickbooks? Consider Freshbooks. Need a file server? Consider a hosted Sharepoint server. Have you outgrown your ISP’s basic email and think you need Exchange? Consider hosted Exchange. Need a CRM? Salesforce.com works for fortune 100 companies. It is hard to change one’s mindset from building an empire at the main office, but a growing number of companies are enabling workers to be more productive working from home or the office by leveraging hosted applications.

But what about phone calls? There are solutions, and some are reaching the mature, easy-to-use state aforementioned technologies have reached. Cisco offers two IP telephony options for small businesses: the UC500 and Unified CallManager “Business Edition” both offer tons of remote worker friendly features and lower the number of servers from what was once required to run a VoIP phone system. There are outsourced options as well. Many telephone companies are offering “IP Centrex” services and many businesses have employed popular Internet calling networks like Skype to keep workers in communication with customers wherever they might be sitting.

Enabling telecommuting is easier than ever and might be a great morale booster with gas prices continuing to rise. It takes a leap of faith, but ask yourself “Do I get more work done at home or the office?”