subject: The New Mobile Workforce By Anthony Ricigliano [print this page] By Anthony Ricigliano: In 2008, the Interactive Data Corp (IDC) predicted that 75 percent of the U.S. workforce will be mobile by 2011 with other countries closely approaching that number in the same year. The new tech-savvy workforce is demanding balance and flexibility as part of their day-to-day job description. No longer do they want to be tied to a desk from nine to five, day after day.
While corporate America may not be as excited about this idea as their employees, they will have to provide mobile solutions if they expect their current staff to support critical systems in the new global marketplace that is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the past, if a system experienced an outage during off-hours, it could often wait until the next morning. If it was critical, the developer might have to come into the office to correct the problem. This was an unpopular, but acceptable, practice that every IT shop followed.
With recent advances in technology, most of these tasks can be completed from a remote location just as easily as if the developer was on-site. This makes it very hard for any reputable company to justify waking someone up in the middle of the night to come into the office when they could sign-on from home. It becomes even harder when more and more systems must be kept running every moment of the day and night, and the number of critical calls continues to increase with each new system.
A company that is unprepared to meet the mobile support needs of their employees may find that they will lose their most qualified workers to other companies that can provide a better method for remote work. After all, this becomes a win-win solution as the Information Systems department gets better support from more satisfied employees, while the individual worker has the flexibility to spend time with their family and still perform well at their job.
To support a mobile business model, the Information Systems department will need to make several infrastructure changes. They should address security to make sure that they don't open the door to hackers, viruses, or any unwanted connections. Once security is in place, they will need to install a server that resides outside of the company firewall for external connections and user id authentication. Many companies use Citrix software or Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enable their employees to connect to the internal network.
On the employee's side, they will need access to a Wi-Fi connection or aircards to connect through a cellular provider. Equipment can vary from desktops to laptops to smartphones. In today's world, almost any electronic device that can connect to the internet can be used for mobile support. The Apple iPad can use apps that will allow remote connection and control of any desktop device via the internet. In theory, this could allow support personnel to work from anywhere in the world just as easy as from their desk for less than a $600 investment.
In addition to providing much needed support around the clock, allowing employees to perform their support tasks from remote locations will lead to a more satisfied, and more productive, work force.
