Codestone

Category: Workforce Mobility

Northumberland County Council has highlighted some of the operational benefits it has been able to unlock since embracing technology that facilitates home working and workforce mobility.

The authority implemented an integrated wireless mesh network in the local area in 2008, replacing the leased lines on which it was previously reliant, reports Guardian Government Computing.

Frank Freeman, the county council's project manager for the programme, explained: "We wanted to consolidate to one network, not only because it would be more cost-effective, but to provide mobile connectivity to make staff more productive, increasing home working and cutting down on travel."

Since doing so, it has seen a rise in home working among its staff, which will allow it to reduce its office space and save around £750,000 per year.

Its investment in the wireless mesh network is also expected to help local firms to achieve some of the same benefits.

Earlier this month, a Citrix-sponsored survey from the Telework Research Network suggested that UK firms can increase productivity by 20 per cent by allowing staff to work from home for two days each week.

Posted by Jack Gilbert