HOME, flexible or remote working with a phone, laptop and wireless broadband internet access won't get your job done if you're a chef or a production line operative.

But if your work is office-based, or reliant on the phone and a computer, then doing your work elsewhere can be a distinct advantage.

Mobile and remote working is not new, it has just become a lot easier to implement in the last 10 years with the advent of new mobile communications technologies and products.

Remote working involves a range of communication tools, from high speed broadband to fixed and mobile telephony, web conferencing and e-mail via products such as Microsoft's Hosted Exchange, which allows employees to access their company's e-mail server from anywhere.

While technology alone won't solve business problems, appropriately deployed, it can directly improve the efficiency and profitability of your organisation.

There are many benefits to employers and employees.

In these days of rising fuel travel costs, and increased environmental concerns, home, flexible and remote working allows for a reduction in business travel, saving money and reducing an organisation's carbon footprint.

Other savings can be made by reducing office accommodation requirements and fixed operating costs.

Conducting business away from the traditional workplace also allows home workers to save energy, time and money on their commute.

And employees do seem to want the option of some kind of flexible working, according to figures from Best Companies Ltd, the workplace engagement specialist, which show that employees working from home between 10 per cent and 60 per cent of the time are more engaged with their work.

But while there is no doubt that this new era of communications technology can bring very real economic and social benefits, it must be used in a manner that suits the employee and employer.

Otherwise there is a danger it just becomes a victory for technology over common sense.

For more information about how communications technology can benefit your business, contact the Kingston Communications business sales team: call 0800 915 5226, or visit www.kingston communications.com.