Heavy snow is already affecting some parts of the UK and meteorologists are now forecasting that this will spread to the rest of the country over the next few days. Therefore, business leaders and IT strategists, who have delayed decisions or not considered the importance of implementing an adequate home working policy, could be facing a bleak winter if their employees are stranded due to these adverse weather conditions.
Paul Burgess, Managing Director of eploy®, a leading UK recruitment software company, says: “Winter weather conditions at the start of this year resulted in the UK economy losing millions in productivity and lost revenue because many thousands of employees could not make it into their place of work. This situation proved that implementing mobile applications and home working strategies is not just an insurance policy but it is the way forward.”
With broadband and mobile networks now allowing people in the most remote corners of the country to have access to high speed Internet access, there is no longer an excuse for not working remotely. Relinquishing the management mindset of the office based worker, however, has not been taken up with the same speed or enthusiasm. The trends towards flexible working, hot-desking and the concept of virtual offices have a sound commercial basis by cutting costs, increasing productivity, breaking down distance barriers and improving staff morale, capability and service delivery. Despite the evidence, many organisations are still reticent in addressing remote working options and as a result have suffered the consequences. In contrast, companies that have embraced modern technology and online applications to facilitate remote access will have fared well and realised their investment many times over during recent cold spells and are also protected against transport system collapse by adopting mobility options as a work ethic.
Paul adds: “Some companies have addressed the issue of staff mobility by implementing Internet-based services. True web-based software solutions automatically enable employees to access key business information from any location. This serves to facilitate communication across the enterprise and allows business processes to be undertaken as quickly and effectively as if they were office based.”
Users of eploy® web-based recruitment software provide a prime example of a secure and transparent service that that can be accessed from a variety of devices such as home computers, Macs, laptops, netbooks, tablets and mobile phones such as Blackberry, iPhones, Android and Nokia phones – even on the Nintendo Wii!.
“The weather is no longer a valid excuse for companies coming to a standstill,” confirmed Paul. “In fast-moving commercial environments, mobile work practices and flexible applications are a must-have for successful forward-thinking businesses.”
To take a look at the latest advances in recruitment technology, please telephone eploy® for a free online trial on 0800 073 4243 or email info@eploy.co.uk. Alternatively visit www.itssystems.co.uk
