Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile
    • Small Business

    Mobile, Collaboration Tools a Boon for Remote Workers

    By
    Nathan Eddy
    -
    February 12, 2015
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      mobile and remote workers

      Of the digital communication and collaboration tools available to remote workers, email is the most used at 88 percent, followed by instant messaging at 47 percent, according to a survey of 353 U.S. Internet users by private-cloud solutions provider ConnectSolutions.

      Video conferencing (36 percent), VoIP platforms like Skype (32 percent), and presence functionality (30 percent) were also popular tools, and 28 percent of those surveyed use an enterprise unified communication solution, such as Microsoft Lync.

      The survey also indicated mobile devices with growing desktop-like functionality are also doing much to empower workers remotely—at home or in the field, including cafes, parks and other non-traditional locations—with 40 percent able to conduct at least half of their total workload on a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device.

      “We already see evidence of mobile technology significantly transforming remote work,” Michael Fitzpatrick, CEO of ConnectSolutions, told eWeek. “Mobile collaboration tools are providing seamless communication with team members, regardless of location. Virtual meeting technology on mobile devices has dramatically reduced travel expenses and employee productivity loss.”

      Fitzpatrick noted the rapid adoption of mobile technology for remote work is beginning to force organizations to reimagine traditional business processes and identify new productivity gains.

      “We expect this to accelerate with continued mobile network upgrades and increasing computer power on mobile platforms,” he said.

      Whether remote workers are able to work with greater efficiency off-site or are more motivated to demonstrate off-site effectiveness, of the 39 percent who work remotely at least a few times per month, 77 percent report greater productivity while working off site with 30 percent accomplishing more in less time and 24 percent accomplishing more in the same amount of time.

      Around a quarter (23 percent) said they are even willing to work longer hours than they normally would on site to accomplish more while 52 percent are less likely to take time off when working remotely—even when sick.

      When it comes to camaraderie and collaboration, 42 percent of remote workers feel they’re just as connected with colleagues as if they were working on-premises, and 10 percent said they feel even more connected.

      Respondents indicate a clear financial motive in working remotely, with the largest group of remote workers (30 percent) reporting savings of as much as $5,240 per year, simply accounting for expenses.

      Half of the remote workers surveyed also say being able to work remotely at least some of the time makes them much more likely to stay with the company.

      Personal satisfaction and quality-of-life also seem to play a strong role in the allure of working remotely, with 45 percent of remote workers getting more sleep, 35 percent getting more physical exercise, and 42 percent eating healthier.

      “What we found is people who work remotely often feel a greater need to perform. It’s not enough to be ‘seen’ typing away at a computer—motion does not equal progress,” Fitzpatrick said. “Remote workers need to produce. Ultimately, successful remote work requires collaboration, and collaboration depends on relationships and frictionless communication.”

      He explained this is where he believes video conferencing will have a tremendous impact.

      “We find workers who use video in their collaboration efforts tend to exhibit more empathy than those desktop phone meetings we’ve all suffered through,” he said.

      Nathan Eddy
      A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan was perviously the editor of gaming industry newsletter FierceGameBiz and has written for various consumer and tech publications including Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, CRN, and The Times of London. Currently based in Berlin, he released his first documentary film, The Absent Column, in 2013.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×