TOPIC: THE VIRTUAL OFFICE (VO)



Question # 3:

1. Describe or define VO.

2. Distinguish VO from MIS.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how VO can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

1. Virtual Office is workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies. A virtual office is characterized by the use of teleworkers, telecenters, mobile workers, hot-desking, and hoteling, and promotes the use of virtual teams. A virtual office can increase an organization's flexibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.

2. MIS uses computer science totally in organizations decision making process and use management of an organization's IT infrastructure.VO in term of services they shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier service, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities. MIS are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization.

3. Virtual office is also a common term for an environment that enables a network of co-workers to run a business efficiently by using nothing other than online communication technologies.The company's employee will be able to manage their time effectively if applied the virtual office system.The purpose of a Virtual Office Service is to provide a professional business environment for your organisation. Whether you're a home-worker, start-up or sole trader.Employees in a Virtual Office are free to work without being intruded upon by management. Self-management also cuts down on non-productive work such as repetitive memos, reports, presentations, administrative meetings, etc. which can plague some corporations. Also, employees now have a better opportunity to fully develop their ideas as they envision them with less interference and micro-management. A home office makes it easy to get to work, meaning more work is done over a day since employees can readily access their computing environment. A mobile office extends this high availability to going where the person goes. In addition, the annoyance and cost of the commute is eliminated. Generally, the money saved by not commuting should cover the cost of extra utilities.