Remote working, virtual desktops and video conferencing will help maintain employee productivity and business continuity.

22 April, 2010 – Leading managed IT services provider adept4 is advising companies that implementing a business continuity plan will help them maintain effective business operations in case of unpredictable events and emergency situations.

With thousands of employees stranded abroad due to the airport clampdown caused by ash from the Icelandic volcano, British businesses could be losing more than £3 million a day through staff absenteeism. 

Implementing business continuity solutions such as remote working, videoconferencing and virtual desktops, which enable employees to continue working if they are unable to get into the office, will help to limit the negative effects of unpredictable incidents, saving businesses time and money, says adept4.

Peter Birkett, CEO for adept4 said: “The recent airport clampdown has not just affected the travel and tourism industry, it has hit thousands of other businesses hard through stranded staff and cancelled meetings. This along with the impact of ‘snow-day absenteeism’, which cost British businesses billions of pounds earlier this year, has meant the UK economy has already suffered two large blows this year.

“But businesses needn’t suffer during such crises. By considering smarter ways of working companies can be more productive and get the most from their workforce.   IT solutions such as remote working would benefit businesses tremendously in such instances, enabling employees stranded abroad to connect to the company network and continue with their work as usual with business continuity unaffected. A virtual desktop delivered through online application hosting will give employees with an Internet connection quick easy access to business applications wherever they are, and setting up videoconferencing will mean business meetings needn’t be cancelled if colleagues are unable to get to the venue.”