The Technology-Productivity Equation
Globe and Mail (CAN) (12/08/07); Vermond, Kira

The mobile workplace has allowed employees to boost their productivity by over 13 percent weekly, according to a Cisco Systems and OMNI Consulting Group study. Bluetooth technology, smartphones, and an array of wireless broadband services have facilitated workforce operations, producing a more flexible environment for wireless employees. While wireless technology provides the ability to remain productive away from the office, a popular advantage of mobile communications remains its superior level of convenience. Employees are freed from traditional 9 to 5 schedules and productivity is achieved according to their own chunks of business-conducive time. In Canada, over 1 million employees are mobile about twice weekly, while 55 percent of workers in a Microsoft and Kelton Research survey report their desire to cut travel time when working on the road. Yet the shift to 24-7 worker productivity has engendered a reverse-phenomenon: employees are scheduling more personal tasks during typical business hours while deferring business for off-peak hours. Employees then spend more time at work procrastinating because the ability to complete tasks is no longer limited to the office. Though the concept of the mobile workforce has incited mixed reception, products such as Rove Mobile that enable remote network management are essential to mobile employees' ability to handle emergency situations away from the office.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071208.RWEEKEN
DWORK08/TPStory/Business

Get the Best of Both E-Mail Worlds
Small Business Computing (12/07/07); Moran, Joseph

Personal e-mail accounts are typically accessed in one of two ways: via the Web or through an e-mail client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. Web-based e-mail accounts are appealing because users can access all of their messages--both new and old--on any computer with an Internet connection. However, Webmail has a major drawback: users have to be online to receive new messages, compose new ones, and view old mail. Those who use e-mail clients, on the other hand, only need to connect to the mail server briefly to download new mail, which leaves them free to read or reply to messages whether or not they have an Internet connection. The downside to using an e-mail client to send and receive messages is that messages are deleted as soon as they are downloaded--which means that all old messages are tied to a particular piece of software running on a particular computer. There is a third option that combines the major advantages of accessing e-mail via the Web or through an e-mail client. This option, called IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), allows users to access their e-mail through an e-mail client and over the Web. Any changes made to the mailbox via the e-mail client are replicated and stored on the e-mail server, which means users can access all of their e-mail on any computer. However, IMPA does have some drawbacks, including the fact that many e-mail providers do not support the standard.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/37152
96

Toward the Wireless Office
IT Management (12/07); Blackwell, Gerry

After years of hype, the notion of a wireless office is finally starting to gain traction among IT professionals. Fueling its acceptance are the many benefits that come with a wireless office, including the promise of increased productivity, the ability to deploy applications, and cost savings. Osaka Gas, Japan's third-largest utility, recently proved that wireless office is possible by outfitting its 6,000 staff with dual mode 3G/Wi-Fi phones that are compatible with both NTT DoCoMo cellular networks and the utility's Wi-Fi network. Presently, Osaka Gas is the largest completely wireless organization in the world, with 800 access points and 72 Mercu Networks MC1000 network controllers. With the VoWi-Fi system, organizations can save approximately US$4 million a year, according to a case study on Mercu's Website. The system also improves employee productivity because employees are able to answer calls from any location and have access to business-critical documents at all times, regardless of their location, which means better customer service. Although analysts say wireless office is still in the development stage, they note that the concept appeals to CIOs.
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/mowi/article.php/3715401

Implementing Unified Communications
Processor (12/07/07) Vol. 29 , No. 49; Reisinger, Don

Before installing a unified communications infrastructure, companies must determine if that is the best action for them. If a business has under 10 workers and the majority of them are fairly available, the need for such a system is likely small. As a firm expands and workers are both at home and overseas, the need for such a system is much larger. Companies ready to install unified communications systems need to look into several issues before they start, including business goals, the priorities of the unified communications, and how well such communications fulfill unrelated corporate tactics such as compliance, disaster recovery, and security. Zultys specializes in installing united communications systems, although it is sometimes smart to employ more than one vendor. While there are numerous features that are regarded as important when implementing a united communications system, most firms feel a presence system is a top priority. This entails desktop and phone status, calendar availability, and location and skills status. In addition, conferencing is an important feature, as are smartphones.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P
2949/22p49/22p49.asp&guid=

Virtual PBX Dials Up Flexible Features for Hosted PBX
Small Business Computing (12/04/07); Simonds, Lauren

Although PBX phone systems with call-routing and auto-attendant features can help small businesses look professional, many small businesses forego using such systems because they are often too expensive. However, some companies have begun offering hosted PBX services that are a fraction of the cost of traditional PBX systems. In addition to being less expensive, some of these hosted PBX services include new features that can help small businesses better manage call priorities and increase productivity. One of these new features is called SmartID, which allows businesses to assign a prefix or a suffix to each call that comes through the PBX. When the business receives a call, the prefix or suffix is displayed on with the caller ID information. This allows businesses to see which calls are business-related and which ones are personal. Another new feature is called Recording Manager, which allows businesses to upload and manage a library of auto-attendant greetings. The feature makes it easy for businesses to switch greetings when they want to communicate certain information to their customers, such as changes in business hours, holiday schedules, or special promotions.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/biztools/article.php/371451
1

Technology to Alter Small-Business Landscape
Azcentral.com (12/06/07); Kehrer, Daniel

According to the "Future of Small Business Report" by the Institute for the Future and Intuit, the future of small businesses will demonstrate a greater utilization of technology than even the largest enterprises. Enhanced technology is slated to become more affordable as more high-tech products debut, allowing companies to streamline business operations from virtually anywhere. The report forecasts that small businesses will boost their mobile technologies, particularly through cars and cell phones by 2017. Mobile employees will benefit from smart phones and PDAs, providing more freedom for controlling business on-the-road. Wireless connections with improved bandwidths will facilitate the scope of small-business marketing, allowing customers to receive customized offers depending upon their location. This concept of instantaneous information will be beneficial to both customers and businesses, while more sophisticated technology is expected to reduce business risks. In the future, the Internet will play a critical role in attracting customers, so small-businesses will need search-engines that showcase their sites as the Web will continue to function as a prime marketing platform.
http://www.azcentral.com/abgnews/articles/1206abg-kehrer1206.html