With a growing number of professionals working outside the main office, at least some of the time, use of remote working tools has also radically increased. In fact, a staggering 86% of workers have used at least one tool enabling remote working in the previous month, according to a survey of over 44,000 senior business people across more than 100 countries by global workplace provider Regus.
Some 85% of respondents also highlight that the needs of remote workers are strongly driving take up of ‘cloud’ applications that provide them with cost-effective access to office tools wherever they are.
But online tools are also helping to ease some of the other pain traditionally associated with remote working especially through the proliferation of efficient and secure document sharing services.
The research shows that Dropbox is the most commonly used online file-sharing service, used by 56% globally, followed by Google Drive 43% and TeamViewer 25%.
Another challenge remote workers face is that of getting overlooked when they are not in the office. Instant Messaging tools and VoIP, however, are revolutionising the way workers communicate and helping remote workers show they are available, connected and immediately responsive. The research found that the most popular VoIP Messaging application is Skype, used by 60% of global respondents in the previous month; Facebook Messenger 48% and Viber 13% followed.
“With more businesses offering staff the opportunity to work remotely at least occasionally, online tools are helping to overcome some of the hurdles traditionally associated with working from outside of the office,” explained Katerina Manou, Regus Regional General Manager – Balkans and Cyprus.
“From feeling out of touch with colleagues, to being unable to access documents on the company server, technology is bridging the gap. The growth in instant messaging applications and document-sharing services in particular is playing an enormous role in helping more people to work flexibly, by enabling more reliable and secure ways of communicating with colleagues and sharing files, from wherever people may be working. This means that they can be fully operative even when they are not in the office.”
In Cyprus, Regus operates in Nicosia and Limassol and soon in Larnaca.
For information visit: www.regus.com.cy
