With thousands of people across the UK unable to get to the office because of the freezing weather last week, experts are urging businesses to look more seriously at equipping staff so that they can work from home.

Advancements in technology has led to there being no excuses from businesses when it comes down to remote working, as people now have fast broadband services and important remote working devices, such as home PCs, laptops or smartphones.

Unified communications aimed at larger corporations, such as (VoIP), IM, and videoconferencing, also play a vital role in ensuring communications with remote workers is relatively straightforward.

The cost and complexity of configuring unified communications platforms means that employers will get better value for their communications system. For example, a hosted VoIP service, which allows remote workers to communicate, costs comparatively little in comparison to fixed lines.

 Similarly, the quality of video conferencing systems has improved significantly over the past few years, while video-to-video calling  remains free with software such as Skype, which are both quick and easy to set up.

Security has often been earmarked as an issue for many organisations, and one which a range of different remote access technologies can successfully address if businesses implement adequate security systems for remote and home workers.

It seems that the biggest obstacle to remote working is nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with attitude.

Find out more information about remote working technology at the Interchange Group.

As featured on Computing.co.uk.