useful tool, a collaboration program should include such features as real-time video, telephonequality audio and presence detection systems to allow better interaction between the main office and teleworkers. With a collaboration program, the following can be accomplished:
• Teleworkers can better replicate an in-person meeting and easily contribute to the discussion when joining meetings at the main office via the Internet.
• Managers can see and hear teleworking employees during online meetings to avoid a fear of loss in productivity.
• Management and teleworkers can see who is available online for a meeting or quick discussion via instant messaging with the presence detection and status indicators. This will help alleviate the‘ out of sight, out of mind’ concern with managing a remote workforce, as the manager will quickly be able to determine which of their workers are online, offline, in meetings, away from their computer, or do not wish to be disturbed.
Additionally, a collaboration tool should have more in-depth interactive components of its system to help the teleworker further engage in activities occurring at the main office. Such components include instant messaging, joint editing, whiteboarding, live view, chat and secure file sharing / storing. By harnessing these features, the following can occur:
• Confidential documents are stored in the application’ s secure file cabinets for sharing, rather than the teleworker’ s computer
• Teleworkers can instantaneously communicate with the main office
• Multiple employees are able to view, discuss and edit documents simultaneously
• Employees are able to take notes during meetings for all participants to view
Using a combination of communication methods, such as online meetings, e-mail, fax and phone, will provide a comprehensive telework program.
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