Issue #0602/1 - With breakthrough 36ppm (mono) printing, the DeskJet 6980 and 6940 are targeted at high-volume consumers.
Recognising that remote working is on the increase, a British university (Portsmouth University) is undertaking a study to determine how remote networking can be successfully implemented so that effective teams are created despite the remote nature of the working practice.
Clearly, it is critical that teamwork must not be allowed to suffer, hence the need for a study of this nature. In addition, remote working must enhance an individual’s work/life balance. Also, it must reduce the overall cost of working for the company, as well as offering performance benefits, or it is better for individuals to continue to travel to a central office and to interact face-to-face with colleagues.
Implications of remote working will not end there, though. This study is being undertaken in conjunction with Computer Assets, a commercial specialist in remote team working that undoubtedly anticipates increased revenue for itself arising from publicising the results of the study. But, it would certainly not be only Computer Assets that stands to benefit – and there may also be some implications that are detrimental to certain industry sectors.
First of all, from a company’s point of view, instigating a major program of remote working for its employees may target benefits in terms of reducing floor space and perhaps being able to move to smaller premises - thus reducing staff-related overheads.
In addition, by reducing on-site staff, certain facilities can be downsized. For instance, fewer desks, chairs, lamps, telephones, etc., etc., are needed and smaller-scale internal networking facilities and hardware are required.
A company can also expand its catchment area for employees. In theory, there should be no reason why any company’s catchment area could not be global for many jobs. This has untold potential benefits in terms of finding the right skills for the job without paying expensive relocation benefits.
These are benefits to the company itself – plus many more. But, all this has implications to the providers of these services and facilities: to the property owners in the case of rented office space who need to create smaller units; to office equipment/networking suppliers whose equipment becomes surplus to requirements and who would lose out on future sales; to infrastructure installation companies; to facilities service providers; and so on.
In the event that remote working were to become widespread, one of the impacts on the hard copy industry specifically is that there would be a shift in the balance of hardware required. No longer would there be such demand for departmental copiers and printers or for workgroup printers. So, amongst the losers in the hard copy industry would be that portion of the industry that handles hardware sales to large organisations and the print management providers who stand to see contract volumes reduced.
Having said that, there could actually be an increase in print volumes from a smaller number of devices as messages and documents emailed to headquarters by remote workers may be printed for review and even filing.
Instead, each and every remote worker would need a personal hard copy device. These would almost certainly be colour inkjet All-in-One machines because of the relatively low print volumes that would be required from each unit and the low purchase cost associated with them.
In turn, there would be a significant increase in the total number of both mono and colour pages printed on inkjet devices as documents fly around the world for review, approval and collaborative working. As we know, a high proportion of emails and documents are printed purely for the purpose of reading when they could be read on-screen – so, the fewer the number of workplace-based teams and the greater the number of remote work-teams, the greater the quantity of inkjet cartridges that would be sold along with the AiO machines.
Therefore, those who specifically gain from such an arrangement (apart from the initiating company itself) include the consumer and consumable sectors of the hard copy industry, with increased sales of low-end devices and increased sales of consumables.
Others who stand to gain from remote working arrangements may include telecoms providers as volumes of telephone traffic increase. However, the rise of Voice over IP communications, through Skype, MSN and others, could nullify that advantage. Companies would be well-advised to investigate these services on the basis that they could cut communications costs and enable very easy conferencing facilities.
There is no doubt that the study by Portsmouth University mentioned above is aimed at promoting remote working but that is no reason for its findings to be regarded as invalid. There are many reasons why remote working can be attractive. These particularly include reduced daily travel times – especially in this age of road congestion and traffic pollution.
However, the quotation from Commercial Director at Computer Assets, Andy Harris, is entirely plausible and relevant, “The UK is on the verge of a working revolution that could rival the Industrial Revolution. Remote working is the future, and all the technical requirements are now in place. All it takes is the skill and the will to use those elements to make remote working a part of everyone’s working life, with all the advantages that will bring.”
On the downside, BT (telecoms provider that should be well placed for successful implementation of remote working) is concerned for worker’s welfare – after all, when does a worker sign off when working at home or are they considered to be on call at all times of the day and night?
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