Whether you call it telecommuting, working from home, a remote office or something else entirely, being able to do your work from someplace besides work is a huge benefit to both your employer and you.
When setting up your office for Telecommuting, there are three things that you should consider:
1. No Frills Solution
More than likely, your office is already using Exchange or some other mail server which has the option of letting you look at your email remotely. You just need to talk to the person in charge of your company's IT to find out how to access your inbox when you aren't at the office. That way, you'll be able to see (and respond to) emails just like you would sitting at your desk. It's not exactly a "remote office" but in a pinch, you'll be glad you know how to do it.
PRO: Cheap (as in nearly free, since you probably already have this built in)
CON: If you need to access a file on the network or have a customer call you, this won't be enough.
2. What you Really Need
VPN Connection
This is a secure network connection that lets you connect to your work network from anyplace that can access the Internet.
Terminal Services Client
This is a program that lets you view your work computer as if you were actually sitting at it. The desktop icons, start menus, even the wallpaper … it feels like you are actually sitting at your computer at work. There is nothing new to learn. You just keep working from where you left off. With a high speed connection, you might forget for a while you aren't sitting at your desk at work.
Pro: Seeing your computer exactly as you use it. All your network files in the same location. May be low to no cost depending on what you are already running.
Con: Some programs that use a lot of graphics will run slowly.
3. What You Really Want
If you want to be really mobile, you will want some sort of Voice Over IP (VOIP) system and a laptop with a mobile data card.
VOIP services like Vonage and Skype allow you to use your computer as your phone system. By using these at the office you can save money. And you can use the exact same system when sitting in a hotel room or at your dining room table.
A mobile data card connected to a laptop means you will always be connected. For around $60/month you can get a high speed data plan from your mobile phone company and have a high speed internet connection everywhere you go ... if you can get a cell signal, you'll have close to DSL speed on your laptop.
PRO: Always connected means you never miss another client call or email again.
CON: Cost of laptop, monthly service plan. Oh, and always connected means you never miss another client call or email again.
As always: Be sure to set up and test any of these BEFORE you actually need them! Like a flashlight in a drawer, it's no good to you if it doesn't work when the power goes out. If you don't have your own IT department, a company like TECHIES can help. TECHIES is the IT Department for Small Business in the Twin Cities. Give us a call at 612.333.TECH.
When setting up your office for Telecommuting, there are three things that you should consider:
1. No Frills Solution
More than likely, your office is already using Exchange or some other mail server which has the option of letting you look at your email remotely. You just need to talk to the person in charge of your company's IT to find out how to access your inbox when you aren't at the office. That way, you'll be able to see (and respond to) emails just like you would sitting at your desk. It's not exactly a "remote office" but in a pinch, you'll be glad you know how to do it.
PRO: Cheap (as in nearly free, since you probably already have this built in)
CON: If you need to access a file on the network or have a customer call you, this won't be enough.
2. What you Really Need
VPN Connection
This is a secure network connection that lets you connect to your work network from anyplace that can access the Internet.
Terminal Services Client
This is a program that lets you view your work computer as if you were actually sitting at it. The desktop icons, start menus, even the wallpaper … it feels like you are actually sitting at your computer at work. There is nothing new to learn. You just keep working from where you left off. With a high speed connection, you might forget for a while you aren't sitting at your desk at work.
Pro: Seeing your computer exactly as you use it. All your network files in the same location. May be low to no cost depending on what you are already running.
Con: Some programs that use a lot of graphics will run slowly.
3. What You Really Want
If you want to be really mobile, you will want some sort of Voice Over IP (VOIP) system and a laptop with a mobile data card.
VOIP services like Vonage and Skype allow you to use your computer as your phone system. By using these at the office you can save money. And you can use the exact same system when sitting in a hotel room or at your dining room table.
A mobile data card connected to a laptop means you will always be connected. For around $60/month you can get a high speed data plan from your mobile phone company and have a high speed internet connection everywhere you go ... if you can get a cell signal, you'll have close to DSL speed on your laptop.
PRO: Always connected means you never miss another client call or email again.
CON: Cost of laptop, monthly service plan. Oh, and always connected means you never miss another client call or email again.
As always: Be sure to set up and test any of these BEFORE you actually need them! Like a flashlight in a drawer, it's no good to you if it doesn't work when the power goes out. If you don't have your own IT department, a company like TECHIES can help. TECHIES is the IT Department for Small Business in the Twin Cities. Give us a call at 612.333.TECH.
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