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Barefoot Executive
By Yvette Aubusson-Foley
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Regional businesses service large areas, so any developments in ICT that can improve the productivity of a mobile workforce certainly help. Mobile technology has also meant regional businesses can manage skills shortages and value the staff they have - often to retain and secure skills - by providing flexible working arrangements such as home offices and the ability to work ‘on the road’ as part of the HR mix. But new issues arise around the ‘barefoot executive’ including how to secure remote environments and how to access internal information securely. Security - Accessing company data remotely It is possible to create a secure remote working environment for a small business. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) for example, allows an employee to get in to your system securely and operate on files and network data as if they were sitting at their office desk. The VPN encrypts communication to stop unauthorised access. Firewalls can be problematic even when your staff is doing the right thing, but as a rule of thumb any device accessing your network should have the firewall switched on forcing traffic to operate using a password. Of equal risk to losing your data to a cyber-thief sneaking in the back door, is having mobile devices such as laptops, mobile phones or PDA’s stolen from restaurant tables, car parks or hotel rooms. |
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In the U.S. full-disk encryption for PCs that are used by mobile workers is increasingly common. This means if a laptop is stolen and it contains personal customer or employee information the company that owns the laptop is then not liable should the theft case end up in court.
There is also a growing trend to create a Remote Usage Policy in the workplace so everyone knows what is expected of them to protect equipment and company data. You can download a template from: http://www.sans.org/resources/policies/Remote_Access_Policy.pdf.
Where your employees are using their own laptop seek an understanding on protective software and updates to ensure your business is protected.
Client Management Software (CRM) can also help to control what’s being installed and executed on remote PCs.
A terminal server allows employees to log on and work on their files without actually accessing the network proper.
And what of employees who decide to print, email or save your sensitive business information? Software provider McAfee has the answer with its data-leak prevention technology designed to stop information being removed without proper authorisation, even by remote workers.
Access Networks
Late last year Telstra teamed up with American location-based mobile workforce management solutions company, Xora, and introduced Xora TimeTrack for the Next™ G network.
It was the first time the technology was used outside the US and is popular there with construction, transportation companies, business services providers and public agencies.
“Just as we’ve found in the States, businesses in Australia are hungry for solutions that help them improve the productivity of field operations. Too many businesses still rely on inefficient paper-based processes for managing mobile workers.
“Xora and Telstra can address this problem with a wireless solution for Australian businesses that increases productivity, lowers costs and enables the delivery of superior customer service,” said Sanjay Shirole, Xora CEO.
“Recently we’ve seen increased interest among business customers for data solutions, especially around location-based services, reflecting a steady change in mobile usage behavior, “ said David Thodey, Group Managing Director, Telstra Enterprise and Government at Telstra.
Running the Xora TimeTrack application on a supported Telstra Next G™ handset allows companies to track employee time sheets; job activity and physical location in near real-time.
Mobile workers use Xora TimeTrack to indicate when they are starting or stopping their shifts and/or jobs on a Telstra handset, at which time the information is time and location stamped by Xora via the Telstra Next G™ network.
Mobile workers can also use the TimeTrack application to record job-specific data.
Back in the office, supervisors or managers can view this information through detailed maps and powerful reports available on the Xora TimeTrack web interface.
The reports are used for payroll, job costing and customer billing; while the maps show where a worker is now or where they have been in the past. Companies use this information to ensure that workers are being paid accurately and customers are being billed appropriately. Real-time visibility into field operations helps companies make better business decisions and provide superior customer service.
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Yvette Aubusson-Foley is the editor of Regional Business Magazine
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