It's a wide, wireless world

With the rapid roll-out of cellular data and wireless broadband networks across SA, many local professionals are already using cellular, broadband wireless and WiFi connections for Internet access on the road.

The adoption of cellular data services, in particular, continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Adoption is expected to soar in the next three years, driven by aggressive marketing of data services like 3G and HSDPA by all three networks as well as offers of attractive data bundles and contract packages.

Increasing market penetration of 3G- and GPRS-enabled phones, as well as 3G and HSDPA network cards for notebooks, has also spurred adoption. Future developments such as WiMax roll-outs in metropolitan areas will drive the market by giving users even faster and more reliable wireless connections.

The technology now exists in SA to give workers access to the Internet and the corporate network wherever they are.

Mark Taylor, MD of Nashua Mobile

South African businesses and consumers value the personal and productivity benefits of mobile access to e-mail and the Web because they can carry all the tools they need to stay in touch in their pockets or briefcases. Cellular connectivity is still expensive compared with wireless broadband or ADSL, but prices will continue to fall, as evidenced by recent reductions in data rates.

The combination of maturing wireless technologies, soaring office space costs and growing traffic has turned remote working and telecommuting into serious options for employers who want to retain staff and keep them happy and productive.

Telecommuting is a rising trend around the world. A recent survey by WorldatWork shows 12.4 million Americans were allowed to work remotely at least one day per month in 2006, up from 9.9 million in 2005 and 7.6 million in 2004. The researcher estimates that as many as 100 million US workers will telecommute at least some days of the month by 2010 - and says technology is no longer a barrier.

The technology now exists in SA to give workers access to the Internet and the corporate network wherever they are, although companies planning to introduce telecommuting will have to face challenges in terms of managing human resources and IT security.

Some employees fear they are less likely to advance in their careers if they work from home or from the road than workers who work in traditional office-settings, while many managers have concerns about controlling their staff and keeping them productive. Some workers feel isolated without an office to go to everyday and need structure to be productive.

But the impact that mobile work and telecommuting has on productivity and customer service can be enormous, especially for a smaller company.

For example, a worker can download a presentation via a GSM or GPRS modem or WiFi card at a coffee shop between meetings and not need to go into the office during a day packed with sales presentations. Cellular connectivity technologies such as GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSDPA make it possible for employees in the field to scan a corporate contacts list, place orders, check inventories or look up contact details remotely.

Telecommuting and remote working doesn't need to be an either-or-strategy, but can be blended with office work to strike a balance that suits company and employee. For example, employees might be given a few days a month when they're free to work from home, or given the flexibility to spend some of the working day at home and some at the office.

Many companies are already using wireless technologies in innovative ways to boost the productivity and happiness of their employees - an example is one of SA's major banks, which embarked on a wireless bus pilot project. The buses transport employees to and from a central point in Centurion to the banking group's Sandton office, allowing them to get on with the day's work during the time they'd normally be stuck in traffic. The wireless bus is outfitted with cellular Internet connectivity, PCs and productivity software.

Wireless technology empowers employees and gives them a better working experience even while it improves productivity. The investment in training and infrastructure is low for the returns that it delivers.