WHAT IS REMOTE WORKING?
Remote networking is about enabling geographically dispersed (usually home-based or small office-based) staff to communicate and share information and office resources with HQ and branch-based staff, as though they were resident on the same Local Area Networks. This is very similar, in principle, to multi-site networking; the only real difference being the lower bandwidth and resiliency requirements.

WHY DO I NEED A REMOTE WORKING STRATEGY?
According to DTI figures over 80% of businesses have implemented some form of remote working policy since the 2002 Flexible Working Regulations Act came into force. Since then, however, many employers have voluntarily chosen to extend these policies citing the financial (reduced office costs), environmental (reduced travel requirements) and cultural (greater employee satisfaction) benefits as primary drivers. Sadly very few of these companies have remote working strategies in place and are simply implementing piecemeal

solutions on an ad hoc basis. Ultimately this kind of unstructured approach results in performance deterioration, significantly higher telecommunications charges and networks vulnerable to potentially serious security breaches.

WHAT CAN A REMOTE WORKING STRATEGY DO FOR ME?
Remote networking strategies are, by their very nature, bespoke and their effectiveness dependent on a number of variables. In general, however, a typical solution will deliver the following interlinked benefits:

• Rationalisation – reduce network complexity and administrative burden through simplification and centralisation
• Efficiency – increase employee productivity through improved communications and access to organisational resources
• Resilience – ensure network uptime through the elimination of single points of failure
• Security – minimise the risk of unwanted network intrusion
• Cost – reduce monthly bills and Total Cost of Ownership through a combination of all the above

WHAT REMOTE WORKING SERVICES DOES PROGRESSIVE NETWORKS OFFER?
Progressive Networks offers a full suite of networking measures to provide your remote workers with fast, efficient, secure and cost-effective remote working connectivity.

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – the tried and tested solution for remote worker and multi-site networks.
• Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) – the premium many-to-many VPN solution.
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – cut remote workers’ telephone bills by using the data network as a carrier for voice calls
• Managed Security – the more external links to your network, the greater the risk. Outsource security to a fully qualified third party for complete peace of mind.
• Network Audit – measuring the efficiency and security of external links is standard procedure during a network audit.
• Network Management – ensure the efficiency and security of external links 24/7
• Network Design & Implementation – optimise the efficiency and security of external links.

For more information, contact us by calling our team on 0800 169 41 31, requesting a call back or emailing us at sales@prgnet.co.uk.