July 5, 2005

Teleworking Increases Productivity and Morale, Saves Money

VIACK Telework Resource Guide Helps Companies Launch Remote Work Programs

    WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire/ -- Studies reveal nearly 45 million
employed Americans work from home*, a number that will undoubtedly grow as
companies recognize the financial benefits associated with teleworking
programs.
    VIACK Corporation, an authority on secure, online communications and
collaboration, has rolled out its "Guide to Teleworking" with helpful tips and
tools needed for launching a successful remote work program.  See
http://www.VIACK.com/telework.
    "Despite the numerous benefits of teleworking, there are still valid
concerns as to whether it can be truly effective and productive," said Amy
Fadida, senior vice president of VIACK Corporation.  "The new resource guide
from VIACK provides the necessary information and answers to help alleviate
these concerns."
    Proponents of telework have long argued that allowing employees to work
remotely can provide enormous benefits to businesses, employees and the
community in general.  According to Fadida, some of these benefits include:

     *  Reduced air pollution due to a decrease in highway congestion;

     *  Improvement in quality of life for employees who spend less time
        commuting;

     *  Savings of as much as $7,500 per employee per year due to a reduction
        in office space needs and other associated costs;

     *  Increased productivity by employees due to improvements in employee
        benefits; and

     *  Reduced absenteeism by employees as well as improved recruitment and
        retention of employees because of the flexibility to work at home.

    To demonstrate the impact telework can have on a business, Fadida shares
these additional statistics:

     *  AT&T realizes approximately $150 million in annual savings by
        teleworking; $100 million through direct employee productivity,
        $35 million through reduced real estate costs and $15 million through
        enhanced employee retention.

     *  American Express teleworkers produce 43 percent more business than
        office workers.

     *  IBM reduced real estate costs in the U.S. between 40 and 60 percent
        from an increase in remote workers.

     *  The U.S. Department of Treasury saved $100,000 per year in leased
        office space by allowing employees to telework on a regular basis.

     *  With more than 31,000 teleworking employees, the State of Arizona says
        its telework program has provided increased efficiency, greater
        productivity and enhanced employee morale for its government
        employees.

    VIACK's "Guide to Teleworking" provides businesses with more insight as to
the benefits associated with telework, along with tips for implementing
telework best practices into daily business processes.  The following is a
sample of materials included in the guide:

     *  Security for Telework Technology -- Overview of the proper security
        practices for technology tools used for teleworking.

     *  How to Choose the Right Technology -- Basic questions to help guide
        management in selecting communications tools for teleworking.

     *  Helpful Tips on Teleworking -- A tip sheet to help management prepare
        a deployment strategy and develop a long-term program.

    The VIACK "Guide to Teleworking" is accessible at http://www.VIACK.com/telework.

     *Source: 2004 American Interactive Consumer Survey