zBoost Helps Wireless Business

May 26, 2011

As technology expands into all aspects of our lives, we put ourselves in a position where we are reliant that the technology work as advertised all the time. Companies are always looking for cost efficient and convenient alternatives for all aspects of business- bill pay, communication, inventory, etc.

Companies such as, Square, allow small businesses to make transactions directly on their tablets or smartphones.  Companies and individuals can request a free credit card reader. Once a credit card is swiped, the entire check out process is handled via phone or tablet- transaction, customer signature, and digital receipt.

Advances in technology may simplify business needs but without available wireless signal, these continuing advances are useless.

Wi-Ex customer, Don Little, co-owner of a popular snowmobile rental company, DJ’s Snowmobile Adventures, in California explains that because of his rural location, his credit card machine struggled to make timely transactions.

“My credit card machine worked on an old analog system. The CC machine was tied into the analog phone via an interphase box. We bought zBoost and since then we have had no dropped credit card transactions and 100% better cell service with our main office. [Eventually] our cell provider informed us that the analog system was to be phased out. We replaced our old credit card machine and analog phone with a wireless CC machine. [zBoost] worked with the new CC machine and saved me from buying a satellite phone and another CC machine. We do about 90% of our business by credit card. I can’t tell you how happy I am with your extender/booster. Thank you!”

Not only does Wi-Ex love to hear from happy customers, but testimonials, like Little’s, highlight all the unique ways that zBoost can be useful. zBoost enhances wireless signals for cell phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards and wireless machines!

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Technology Helps Spur Teleworking Revolution

May 17, 2011

As gas prices go up, commutes seem to get longer and companies are looking to cut cost, teleworking becomes a more viable option for both employers and employees.

A recent survey from Skype, Future of Workplaces, revealed around 62% of the companies surveyed already allows employees to work remotely. Of these companies, 34% of their workforce occasionally works remotely, and of that 34%, remote employees say they spend around 40% of their work hours at home.

As the walls of traditional cubicles are torn down, teleworkers are changing the use of formal communication with new technology.

“In large part, social networking, simple collaboration and sharing tools, cloud-based storage services and touch-based tablets have entered the workplace in a bottom-up way, meaning that individuals started using these technologies for personal reasons, then insisted on using them for work as well.”

So what does all this mean for seemingly office mainstays? Data shows that email and landline use, the dominant communication tools for the past two decades, will begin steadily declining with the overwhelming use of texting, mobile phones, social networks, video communications and instant messaging/chat.

How has technology affected your working habits or protocol? Do you think the use of social media and video conferencing decreases or increases workplace camaraderie?  And do you think the new technology is a necessary tool or trending distraction?

For Skype’s full report, visit Future of Workplaces.

http://livingworkplace.skype.com/assets/pdf/Future_of_Workplaces-GigaOmPRO.pdf

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Survey Shows Jump in Teleworking

May 3, 2011

[Liz Kennedy, of Cumming.Patch.com, reported on] a recent study on commuting behaviors in metro Atlanta.

The study shows that the percentage of commuters driving to work alone has decreased in the past three years. Many metro Atlantans are turning to commute alternatives, such as carpooling, transit or teleworking, to get to work.

According to the Clean Air Campaign, the Metro Atlanta Regional Commuter Survey, which was conducted on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), found particularly significant gains in the percentage of people who telework.

  • Twenty-seven percent of commuters now telework at least occasionally, compared to 20 percent in 2007 – a 35 percent increase in just three years.
  • The percentage of frequent teleworkers has increased by 75 percent, with seven percent of all commuters now teleworking at least three days a week.

Teleworking has now overtaken carpooling as the most popular primary commute alternative in metro Atlanta (growing from 30 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2010).

More people are teleworking full-time. Nearly one-fifth of teleworkers (17 percent) work remotely five or more days per week. In 2007, only 10 percent of teleworkers did so. (Note: This figure does not include self-employed people who work at home.)

For John Miller, a [Cumming, GA] resident and implementation consultant, teleworking works for him. He’s been doing it for about three years and he’s reaping the benefits–mentally and in the wallet.

“For me, every time I have to fill up, it’s a shock because there’s such an increase, because I only put gas in my tank every six to eight weeks” said Miller. I don’t look at the gas station prices all the time. I’m not always concerned about my gas tank because it’s usually full.”

Miller said there are other advantages to teleworking, ”You don’t have to get out in traffic, you don’t have to deal with the stress of doing that. It’s a great benefit to the employer–you’re available on time, you’re not in a bad mood, typically, because of things like traffic. There’s savings on gas prices, the wear and tear of your car, you can eat from home, so there’s a cost savings on groceries versus eating out all the time,” he said.

In addition to telework gains, the survey revealed some notable shifts in metro Atlanta commute patterns.

  • Commute times and distances have decreased. The average one-way commute is now 17.5 miles and 30 minutes long, compared to 19.7 miles and 35.9 minutes in 2007.
  • Sixty-nine percent of commuters reported their commute has been about the same compared to one year ago, 17 percent of respondents reported a more difficult commute and the remaining 14 percent said they have had an easier commute. In 2007, 37 percent of respondents reported a more difficult commute.

The commuter survey also revealed 18% of all commuters use commute alternatives three or more days per week. Of those:

  • 40% telework
  • 30% carpool or vanpool
  • 28% take transit
  • 2% bike or walk

Clearly teleworking is becoming a strong option for many people, and based on the results of the recent survey–the way metro Atlantans are using alternatives to drive it alone has changed a lot.

“The landscape has changed in that carpooling and vanpooling, which are very accessible options, actually declined slightly, while telework increased tremendously,” said Carr.

For full article, visit: Survey Shows Jump in Teleworking

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