Flexible working gives UK plc strongest chance of recovery, says Citrix

Business leaders are abandoning a UK culture of ‘presenteeism’ during the recession in favour of getting staff on the move and ensuring they are able to deliver greatest value while at their most productive.
 
While IT budgets haven’t escaped the recessionary axe, a study of senior IT decision makers, conducted by Citrix, found 85 percent of UK businesses have increased their investment in remote working over the past year. Furthermore, 95 percent of respondents expect this expenditure to increase again in the near future.
 
James Stevenson, area vice-president, Citrix UK, Ireland and South Africa, says: “This is all about ensuring staff are productive, not just present.
 
“Businesses have realised there is a false economy in sitting staff at their desks and simply expecting them to be productive. That may happen best when staff are on the move, on-site with a customer or partner, or working from home – or in fact anywhere they can get online.
 
“Employers must make sure that when inspiration strikes, staff can add value, not just man-hours, to the business. Flexibility and agility are key to getting companies through this recession.”
 
These themes were reflected in further findings from the study. Over half of those questioned said IT’s main focus is now on improving productivity within the business, rather than simply reducing costs.Respondents cited virtualisation (82 percent) as the most important technology to embrace in the current climate.
 
Stevenson adds: “The threat of disruption to business continuity from the swine flu pandemic demonstrates it's more essential than ever that businesses have the technology in place to allow remote working. Having experienced the snow chaos earlier this year and the summer floods of 2007, businesses know how damaging it can be if staff are unable to get into the office. British industry cannot afford to take time out; continuity is essential to ensuring survival."

“It’s clear from this research that despite the downturn, investment in core areas of IT remains strong,” comments Rupert Collier, e-Business product manager at ComputerLinks. “Organisations are more willing than ever to invest in technology that increases productivity, agility and functionality. The channel must be prepared for this trend to continue as businesses get themselves ready for the upturn and the market for certain technologies increases.”
 
Collier continues: “For many, the ability to work from home in the same way as you would from the office is becoming ever more valuable. Virtualisation – and in particular desktop virtualisation – is key to achieving this and there will be opportunities for the channel to support organisations looking to make savings and boost efficiency through VDI.”

“Mobility is key to the success of any business – especially in today’s climate,” reckons Neil Sanderson, vrtualisation and system centre product manager at Microsoft UK. “To maintain these flexible and reliable mobile communications, smart companies are increasingly looking at how their IT can help them win new business, innovate and grow.”
 
“The current economy is proving to be the tipping point for those more forward thinking businesses to start taking the latest technologies more seriously to support new working practices. Whether through redefining teams or reducing costs of travel and office space, it is helping businesses become more productive, with a mobile workforce that are better able to work, connect and share information whilst on the move,” concludes Sanderson.