TechRepublic : A ZDNet Tech Community

Report as spam Discussion  -  Post 3 of 155
Preparation
Where I've gone wrong in the past is lack of preparation. I think the three things I've missed are:
1) What IT facilities does the person genuinely need? This may be more than the equivalent job in the office; for example will a fax machine be needed in every home? They may also need other software which would not normally be supplied, so the 'standard build' may be different.
2) The remote worker should be trained in the basics of network connectivity. They need to know where the connections are physically in their house, what needs to be plugged in, and what needs to be powered on. The should be shown how to do basic troubleshooting.
3) They need a formal agreement which includes rules for care of and for personal use of the equipment. This information needs to be available to the help desk.

One of the benefits of home working is the ability to work at flexible times. Therefore the home worker needs to know the help desk arrangements especially outside office hours.

Finally, and not an IT issue, but the employer needs to satisfy itself that the general security of the house is adequate to protect its data, some of which may well be in paper form.
Posted: 05/08/2008 @ 06:23 AM (PDT)
avatar
bikingbill
Job Role: IT Department Manager
Location: U, United Kingdom
Member since: 10/02/2003

View Profile  | Send Message

Print/View all Posts | Subscribe to this Thread 

Read original item: IT must prepare for $200-a-barrel oil and a rise in remote workers
Are remote workers a support headache?Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic | 05/07/2008 @ 08:23 AM (PDT)
More difficult however...uberg33k50 | 05/08/2008 @ 05:33 AM (PDT)
Preparationbikingbill | 05/08/2008 @ 06:23 AM (PDT)
Great points!Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic | 05/08/2008 @ 06:34 AM (PDT)
Remote workers used to be more of a problem...John Dickey | 05/08/2008 @ 06:48 AM (PDT)
I'd like to say it "boils down" to. . .jackintheback | 05/08/2008 @ 08:34 AM (PDT)
As a software developerjck | 05/08/2008 @ 10:40 AM (PDT)
I use crossloop for remote userscatfish182@... | 05/08/2008 @ 12:21 PM (PDT)
Users more savvy now - Ready for telecommutingCertifiable | 05/08/2008 @ 02:20 PM (PDT)
I have a thoughtaa8vs | 05/12/2008 @ 07:07 AM (PDT)
Micromanagers everywhere...mojodelirium | 05/09/2008 @ 05:39 AM (PDT)
Finally!jbwvegas1@... | 05/12/2008 @ 02:08 PM (PDT)
Securityandre.j.hawkins@... | 05/12/2008 @ 06:54 PM (PDT)
Pick up the phonekumar.jeff@... | 05/19/2008 @ 08:30 AM (PDT)
Phonefactor for lots of reasonsbrian.samuela@... | 05/30/2008 @ 09:20 PM (PDT)
Lagniappeandre.j.hawkins@... | 06/08/2008 @ 03:19 PM (PDT)
In any languagebrian.samuela@... | 06/14/2008 @ 07:44 PM (PDT)
It's Cajun, which is based on FrenchNickNielsen | 06/15/2008 @ 05:55 AM (PDT)
Couple Appskumar.jeff@... | 07/17/2008 @ 02:03 PM (PDT)
Proactive Fraud Notificationandre.j.hawkins@... | 07/21/2008 @ 04:45 PM (PDT)
I provide support to remote clients and it is great!medcombwb | 05/21/2008 @ 08:25 AM (PDT)
Working from homeandre.j.hawkins@... | 05/21/2008 @ 01:37 PM (PDT)
Headache or not, IT has to support remote workersAV . | 07/21/2008 @ 05:54 PM (PDT)
PS to the previous postAV . | 07/21/2008 @ 06:02 PM (PDT)
Petroleum-based fuels should have been history by nowalex.a@... | 05/07/2008 @ 09:45 AM (PDT)
Really, and what are the wheels going to be made of?Locrian_Lyric | 05/07/2008 @ 09:56 AM (PDT)
So let's throw them all into the gas tank and step on the pedalalex.a@... | 05/07/2008 @ 01:22 PM (PDT)
They are all byproducts of the petrochemical industryLocrian_Lyric | 05/07/2008 @ 02:03 PM (PDT)
More problems with 'finding' a solution??SonoraPete@... | 05/07/2008 @ 07:06 PM (PDT)
Yes, but....Bruce L | 05/08/2008 @ 07:19 AM (PDT)
Please...a WIKI??? Really??richard.wilson@... | 05/08/2008 @ 07:33 AM (PDT)
Park the SUV?torturednacho@... | 05/08/2008 @ 09:04 AM (PDT)
So, jamesNickNielsen | 05/08/2008 @ 10:07 AM (PDT)
Anti SUV people are also anti thought peoplejdclyde | 05/08/2008 @ 10:56 AM (PDT)
They're not anti-thoughtTonytheTiger | 05/08/2008 @ 12:16 PM (PDT)
Disagree Tonyjdclyde | 05/08/2008 @ 02:01 PM (PDT)
I don't hate SUVs, JDNickNielsen | 05/08/2008 @ 06:44 PM (PDT)
I have one.TonytheTiger | 05/09/2008 @ 05:34 AM (PDT)
Such Rubbish, Bruce.Locrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 06:31 AM (PDT)
Did I mention Nickjdclyde | 05/09/2008 @ 07:06 AM (PDT)
Well, JDNickNielsen | 05/09/2008 @ 04:04 PM (PDT)
Actually Nickjdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 06:42 AM (PDT)
Most efficient vehicle known to mankinddodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 08:38 AM (PDT)
dodell, you are full of crapjdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 09:45 AM (PDT)
Gasoline the only cost of owning a car?dodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 10:32 AM (PDT)
Dodell, you will only live longer if you do not breatheOz_Media | 05/12/2008 @ 11:40 AM (PDT)
Cost of ownershipjdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 12:30 PM (PDT)
But to be completely fairOz_Media | 05/12/2008 @ 01:10 PM (PDT)
I'm not dead yetdodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 01:22 PM (PDT)
Natural Statejbwvegas1@... | 05/12/2008 @ 02:11 PM (PDT)
That's a valid argumentOz_Media | 05/12/2008 @ 02:21 PM (PDT)
Bruce LOz_Media | 05/12/2008 @ 02:43 PM (PDT)
I have nothing against people riding a bikejdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 05:24 PM (PDT)
Where the numbers came fromdodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 11:53 PM (PDT)
Travel time INCREASES when you commute/bikejdclyde | 05/13/2008 @ 05:29 AM (PDT)
dodellOz_Media | 05/13/2008 @ 09:12 AM (PDT)
Who pays for parking?dodell@... | 05/13/2008 @ 11:29 AM (PDT)
Amazing....Bruce L | 05/08/2008 @ 08:25 PM (PDT)
One solutiondoug.montgomery@... | 05/08/2008 @ 09:11 AM (PDT)
Where does one find out more on CNG cars?Certifiable | 05/08/2008 @ 02:10 PM (PDT)
CNG and alternate fuels are not real answers, eitherSonoraPete@... | 05/10/2008 @ 02:09 PM (PDT)
Ranting?Timbo Zimbabwe | 05/12/2008 @ 04:59 AM (PDT)
Any vegitation can do what corn does...Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 08:10 AM (PDT)
Gasoline a waste product of a barrel of oildodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 09:27 AM (PDT)
Yes butDr Dij | 05/12/2008 @ 11:01 AM (PDT)
The only market driving corn prices up is ethanolSonoraPete@... | 05/12/2008 @ 12:04 PM (PDT)
Assumes facts not in evidence.JamesRL | 05/12/2008 @ 12:35 PM (PDT)
386RFink | 05/08/2008 @ 05:47 AM (PDT)
Ever heard of natural rubber?Dr_Zinj | 05/08/2008 @ 07:08 AM (PDT)
Yes, and of the sulfer needed to burn to vulcanize them.Locrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 07:42 AM (PDT)
LOL!Timbo Zimbabwe | 05/12/2008 @ 05:03 AM (PDT)
Corn is not the cleanest....Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 06:37 AM (PDT)
re wax, et all.Locrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 07:44 AM (PDT)
I sorta get what you're sayingaltonius | 05/08/2008 @ 06:05 PM (PDT)
What needs to be done is easy, getting it done is hardLocrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 07:41 AM (PDT)
Carbon FiberDr Dij | 05/11/2008 @ 03:38 PM (PDT)
Good ideas... and I hope they come to fruition.Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 06:41 AM (PDT)
I agreeDr Dij | 05/12/2008 @ 08:51 AM (PDT)
ALOT of things are now practicalLocrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 11:40 AM (PDT)
ah, one more thing about cars...Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 03:42 PM (PDT)
Guard rails are not intended to break awayNickNielsen | 05/12/2008 @ 04:29 PM (PDT)
No, they break away, just not entirely.Locrian_Lyric | 05/13/2008 @ 11:57 AM (PDT)
I think we're in different locationsNickNielsen | 05/13/2008 @ 06:23 PM (PDT)
IncorrectTimbo Zimbabwe | 05/12/2008 @ 04:56 AM (PDT)
and what do you burn to produce them?Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 06:39 AM (PDT)
watercatseverywhere@... | 05/07/2008 @ 04:01 PM (PDT)
Water?doug.montgomery@... | 05/08/2008 @ 09:07 AM (PDT)
yes, water, being done now..catseverywhere@... | 05/09/2008 @ 06:01 AM (PDT)
OK, thenNickNielsen | 05/09/2008 @ 04:26 PM (PDT)
done and donecatseverywhere@... | 05/11/2008 @ 06:19 AM (PDT)
Never mindNickNielsen | 05/11/2008 @ 12:46 PM (PDT)
Take Chemistry 101dodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 09:44 AM (PDT)
Not quite trueneilb@... | 05/12/2008 @ 02:35 PM (PDT)
$123 As of this afternoon.torturednacho@... | 05/07/2008 @ 04:12 PM (PDT)
Petroleum-based fuels should have been history by nowmichael.burgess@... | 05/08/2008 @ 06:43 AM (PDT)
Modern Nuclear power Plantsglgruver | 05/08/2008 @ 07:06 AM (PDT)
Modern Nuclear power Plants are a scamdodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 10:10 AM (PDT)
Baloney!Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 12:10 PM (PDT)
waste disposal, liability and fuel probsDr Dij | 05/12/2008 @ 04:32 PM (PDT)
Always bear in mind with nuclear power two hugeTony Hopkinson | 05/13/2008 @ 10:04 AM (PDT)
Just someoen figure out how to add an 'S'Dr Dij | 05/13/2008 @ 06:53 PM (PDT)
Someone mentioned glassification a while backTony Hopkinson | 05/14/2008 @ 03:44 PM (PDT)
If only we had listened to Carter...jdclyde | 05/08/2008 @ 10:49 AM (PDT)
Don't forget the comming ice age...Locrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 02:12 PM (PDT)
Earth day - scamjdclyde | 05/10/2008 @ 09:56 AM (PDT)
Another scamjck | 05/12/2008 @ 08:09 AM (PDT)
Are you saying our military did not meet it's objective?Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 08:18 AM (PDT)
Don't ruin a good leftist rantjdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 08:30 AM (PDT)
I guess they did...jck | 05/12/2008 @ 08:45 AM (PDT)
what was that jdclyde?jck | 05/12/2008 @ 08:50 AM (PDT)
The troops did thier jobs, and are DOING their jobsLocrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 08:56 AM (PDT)
Not a new thingjdclyde | 05/12/2008 @ 09:33 AM (PDT)
Locrianjck | 05/12/2008 @ 10:26 AM (PDT)
jdclydejck | 05/12/2008 @ 10:30 AM (PDT)
jck, thanks for the clarification.Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 11:37 AM (PDT)
what i am furious aboutjck | 05/12/2008 @ 11:52 AM (PDT)
Petreyus is cracking heads.Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 12:08 PM (PDT)
My rules of war for Iraq (listen up Bush)jck | 05/12/2008 @ 12:19 PM (PDT)
My rules of (the Iraqi) warneilb@... | 05/12/2008 @ 03:22 PM (PDT)
No reason neil?Locrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 03:38 PM (PDT)
NO. GOOD. REASONneilb@... | 05/12/2008 @ 04:07 PM (PDT)
We're there because Americans are gullible foolsNickNielsen | 05/12/2008 @ 04:53 PM (PDT)
Neil, did you even read what I posted?Locrian_Lyric | 05/13/2008 @ 05:19 AM (PDT)
Oooooh! We lost the right to tell you what to do. How sad.neilb@... | 05/13/2008 @ 09:38 AM (PDT)
You're no longer an empire, get over it.Locrian_Lyric | 05/13/2008 @ 09:45 AM (PDT)
"No longer an Empire"neilb@... | 05/13/2008 @ 09:50 AM (PDT)
No longer an empire...Locrian_Lyric | 05/13/2008 @ 12:03 PM (PDT)
Sixty, seventy and eighty years ago...neilb@... | 05/13/2008 @ 12:42 PM (PDT)
Pot, Kettle LocrianJamesRL | 05/13/2008 @ 12:46 PM (PDT)
Britain and the formation of Isreal.JamesRL | 05/13/2008 @ 01:05 PM (PDT)
Save it, NeilNickNielsen | 05/13/2008 @ 06:29 PM (PDT)
Nick, I've seen different accounts, tooneilb@... | 05/14/2008 @ 12:22 AM (PDT)
Ice Age IS comingDr Dij | 05/13/2008 @ 07:08 PM (PDT)
Bingo!!2rs | 05/08/2008 @ 12:47 PM (PDT)
I love to press hot buttonsalex.a@... | 05/09/2008 @ 09:34 AM (PDT)
Worse presidents than Carter?Locrian_Lyric | 05/09/2008 @ 02:17 PM (PDT)
Gotta ask the questionNickNielsen | 05/10/2008 @ 06:31 AM (PDT)
Nothing is worse than not going to war when you shouldLocrian_Lyric | 05/12/2008 @ 07:47 AM (PDT)
Except, of course, going to war when you shouldn'tNickNielsen | 05/12/2008 @ 04:56 PM (PDT)
I've asked soldiers, I come from a military family. w/ friends in Iraq.Locrian_Lyric | 05/13/2008 @ 09:50 AM (PDT)
Our national survival was not at riskNickNielsen | 05/13/2008 @ 06:45 PM (PDT)
Pussycat?neilb@... | 05/14/2008 @ 12:29 AM (PDT)
I know this one!!maecuff | 05/14/2008 @ 05:18 AM (PDT)
we are now where near as bad offjdclyde | 05/10/2008 @ 09:59 AM (PDT)
I'll disagreeNickNielsen | 05/12/2008 @ 05:16 PM (PDT)
Faster infrastructure required now!Scaramoosh | 05/10/2008 @ 12:43 AM (PDT)
GB ethernetadelacuesta | 05/12/2008 @ 07:53 AM (PDT)
Bicycles not for everybodydodell@... | 05/12/2008 @ 10:49 AM (PDT)
Depends on where you liveNickNielsen | 05/12/2008 @ 06:24 PM (PDT)
Thanks for the related articles regarding VPNraju.rawat@... | 05/12/2008 @ 12:29 AM (PDT)
Possible way to suppliment a raise?SaraVN | 05/12/2008 @ 08:01 AM (PDT)
I've always thought...NotSoChiGuy | 05/12/2008 @ 09:35 AM (PDT)
SaaS is ideal for remote workersscrawford@... | 05/12/2008 @ 10:29 AM (PDT)
See you in some 3rd world country...pcbradshaw@... | 05/12/2008 @ 11:28 AM (PDT)
Yeah butDr Dij | 05/12/2008 @ 02:54 PM (PDT)

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Browse by Tag

networking
Popular tags: windows,  software,  hardware,  security,  it management
e-mail
Popular tags: windows,  software,  networking,  security,  hardware
hardware
Popular tags: windows,  software,  networking,  it management,  security
programming
Popular tags: software,  windows,  networking,  hardware,  it management
software
Popular tags: windows,  hardware,  networking,  programming,  it management
windows
Popular tags: software,  networking,  hardware,  security,  it management
linux
Popular tags: software,  windows,  networking,  hardware,  security
it management
Popular tags: networking,  windows,  software,  security,  hardware
career
Popular tags: it management,  networking,  software,  windows,  feedback
security
Popular tags: networking,  windows,  software,  it management,  hardware
off-topic
Popular tags: software,  windows,  hardware,  feedback,  networking
feedback
Popular tags: software,  windows,  hardware,  networking,  it management
project management
Popular tags: it management,  software,  networking,  windows,  programming
500 Things Every Technology Professional Needs to Know
Did you know Microsoft's RegClean does not work with XP but you can use shareware to clean your registry? Did you know most wireless access points don't have encryption enabled by default? Did you know there are 500 tidbits of information contained in TechRepublic's 500 Things Every Technology Professional Needs to Know that will help you become a successful IT professional.
Buy Now
Administrator's Guide to TCP/IP, Second Edition
Maintain your critical TCP/IP system and ensure reliable, safe remote access. Get the expert advice and solutions to handle Windows networking, Cisco routing, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Buy Now

Popular Sanity Saver Videos