IT support services for telecommuting workforce

Organizations are in the process of moving to a network-based operating structure. Telecommuting is just a corollary of this push. While new information technologies allow for a highly mobile work force that can work from remote locations across the world, this begs the question how does supporting this new telecommuting workforce differ from supporting employees in a regular office. The purpose of this study is to describe how telecommuting and a telecommuter differ from in situ working and the desk-bound worker and how this difference dictates different approaches to providing various services such as IT support services for telecommuters. Our goal is to provide a framework to assist IT managers in addressing issues of how to support telecommuting employees to maximize their potential benefits.

► The need for efficient information services support for telecommuters will continue to increase.
► Without a solid IT department, telecommuting could result in an adversity for the employee.
► An essential element to effective telecommuting is an integrated network.
► Visibility supports are needed to allow telecommuters to communicate in an efficient manner.