Work from anywhere

Are you limited by your current technology

Do you want to be more responsive to your customers, but still find it hard to contact customers or access internal information when you’re travelling? Are your employees asking to work from home and you don’t know where to start?

It’s difficult when you are caught between the demands of your customers on the one hand, and your employees on the other. But you can satisfy both - to be more accessible to your customers, while enabling employees to work more flexibly through the adoption of Microsoft Small Business Server.

Microsoft Small Business Server enables remote workers

These days there's an increasing need for businesses to provide their workers with the ability to access network resources remotely, whether this is to facilitate flexible working patterns, to accommodate users on business trips or to enhance effectiveness when dealing with clients.

Today's workers are expected to be operational from any location, and expensive international phone calls and time barriers means that it isn't always convenient to telephone the office to check prices, status, developments and progress. Better if your employees are able to do so themselves by accessing the network.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 comes with the Remote Web Workplace that enables remote users to access email and their office computer desktops from wherever they are, as effectively as if they were sitting at their desks. This furthermore allows System Administrators or your IT provider to manage your server and systems remotely.

Outlook Web Access (OWA)

Outlook Web Access is a webmail service of Microsoft Exchange Server 5 and is used to access e-mail, calendars, contacts, tasks and other mailbox contents when not having access to Outlook. Microsoft provides Outlook Web Access as part of Exchange Server to allow users to connect remotely via a web browser based on any computer. The most important difference is that Microsoft Outlook client lets you work with e-mail, calendars etc. even when you don't have a network connection, while OWA requires an Internet connection to function.

OWA can be used from Internet cafes and any other location that provides connectivity to the Web. The OWA interface available in Exchange 2000, 2003 and 2007 is available in two flavors. The "Premium" UI is rendered for Internet Explorer 5 and later. The "Basic" UI is rendered for other browsers.

Small Business Server integrate with Smartphones

Carrying a PC around with you constantly is not always possible or desirable, so the ability to access your critical information on the go is vital. Windows Small Business Server provides the infrastructure to allow you to access critical Outlook information via a range of Windows based devices. If you typically carry a phone on you at all times, Windows Mobile software ships in small, powerful Smartphones which feature up to date Outlook access, Office viewers, web browsing and a range of other third party applications to enhance user productivity.

For those users that are constantly mobile and need regular access to Outlook data such as inbox, calendar and contacts, Exchange now allows you to synchronise your data by connecting directly to the company server. This means that users can update or access emails, contacts or calendar requests throughout the day whilst mobile on their Pocket PCs and Smartphones. Every time they synchronise, any changes on the device will automatically be sent back to their business system and update the server. At the same time any new changes on the company system, such as new emails and meeting requests will be sent to the device.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a gateway for remote workers, providing authorised users with access into a business network where they can access the local resource assigned to them. Once the domain of big business, a VPN solution is included in Microsoft Small Business Server allowing your telecommuters, satellite offices or employees who travel, to safely connect into your office as if they were at the desk next to you.

Release the full potential of your staff and enable them to work from anywhere through the use of Microsoft Small Business Server.

Ten top tips to Remote Working

1. Remember to insure phones, Pocket PCs and laptops against loss or theft and to back up data stored on them.
2. Security is important: use strong passwords and encrypt sensitive data.
3. Respond quickly to your customers even when out of the office by accessing e-mail remotely.
4. Pick the right gadget for the job – sometimes a Pocket PC is a better choice than a laptop.
5. Manage the impact of new technology on company culture.
6. Train staff to use new technology and give them time to enhance their skills.
7. Provide technical support yourself or via an IT provider.
8. Set a good example by using the technology yourself to become more productive and efficient.
9. Mobile technology makes it easier for your staff to work flexibly in ways that allow them to do their best work.
10. Remember though, just because you can answer e-mails 24/7 doesn’t mean you have to!