Working at home, or telecommuting as it's often called, offers advantages to everyone:

For employees, the idea of telecommuting makes possible a better balance to home and work responsibilities. It can drastically reduce the time spent commuting during a typical week, and - in an amazing preponderance of early programs - has often resulted in more time actually spent working, plus lower stress and improved morale.

For employers, telecommuting has shown that it offers not only happier, more loyal employees, but significant savings as well. It can reduce hiring and turnover costs, cut workplace expenses, and make it easier to extend business hours into the evening and weekend. It can also help answer seasonal needs for extra staff - and do it without adding space.

Perhaps most importantly, however, is that early programs have shown consistently improved productivity, and happier, more loyal workers.
Telecommuting also offers an answer to growing environmental movements, such as the Clean Air Act of 1994, to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, as well as social mandates to make the workplace more accessible to disabled workers.

The breathtaking fact is that today some 51 million Americans - almost 40 percent of the workforce - now regularly work at home for a significant amount of time. Which clearly argues that acceptable, easily implemented communications technology for the home is no longer a luxury but a critical need.

Subsequent sections Of This Chapter:

The Answer: ISDN
Equipment Needs For The Central Location
Trendsetting Programs
Wave Of The Future