What is Telecommuting? Learn More About Telecommuting

Due to the ever expanding home networking market; many large and small enterprises are giving their employees the option of telecommuting. Telecommuting refers to using telecommunications and computer equipment to work from home while still being connected to the office. The home system must be able to connect to the company computer system to communicate with and transfer data to and from other employees.

In the year 1990 around 2 million Americans telecommuted it to work regularly. Just 10 years later, in 2000, this number was closer to 30 million Americans - at least on a part-time basis. It should also be noted, however, that while many jobs are shifting in the direction of telecommuting it is not possible for all positions; jobs such as wait staff, office receptionist, bank teller and any other position that must great the public in person will probably never be able to telecommute to work.

Studies have shown that enterprises experience various benefits by allowing employees to telecommute, including productivity gains, lower employee turnover and even reduce costs as less office space is required. On the flip side, however, telecommuting leaves the company severely lacking in direct supervision over employees which, depending on the individual, can be a serious issue.

Telecommuters experience a wide variety of benefits including not having to commute to work daily, flexible hours and more family time. Some of the disadvantages that an individual telecommuter may experience include a lack of social interaction as well as issues with time management and separating work and personal life.

Vital technology for enterprises with telecommuters is teleconferencing. Thanks to Webcams telecommuters can now attend important meetings in a face-to-face style while still never having to commute to work. There are also computer applications which allow telecommuters to interface with one another and also coworkers in the office. These applications provides much features as shared software, files and even the ability to communicate with one another in real time as if they were in nearby cubicles.

Telecommuting would be nearly impossible without broadband Internet service that is widely available today. With a high-speed Internet connection, telecommuters can talk with others in real time as well as record video messages which can be attached to e-mails and viewed only moments later by coworkers no matter where their office is located.

Hopefully, now you've learned a bit more about what telecommuting is and some basic background information and facts on telecommuting and telecommuters.