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4. Technology -- Use and Maintenance Questions
A. Is ISDN necessary for telecommuting?
While it is certainly an advantage in some cases, ISDN is not necessary for telecommuters. It has many advantages, including the ability to install two high speed data lines and one voice line on the copper wire that already exists in most homes. Also included in this advantage is the fact that no new phone lines have to be added to the home for ISDN to be installed, thus cutting some cost to the company. However, depending on the phone company providing the service, there are installation charges for the service, as well as one-time start-up fees and additional costs for the special phones needed for ISDN and the equipment needed to make the service compatible with the employee's PC. With these costs, there may not be the same amount of money saved, if any is saved at all. In addition to the cost, ISDN is not available everywhere, especially in international markets, and there may be complications that arise because of that. So, it can be advantageous in some situations, and a disadvantage in others, but it is certainly not necessary. [top]
B. What role does videoconferencing have in telecommuting?
As technology becomes better and cheaper, videoconferencing will have an increasingly important role in telecommuting. To date, it is the best way to simulate face-to-face conversation, giving the parties involved the chance to read each other's body language and facial expressions. While it is still not widely available, it promises to be the next stop in desktop PC technology. Currently, the technology is very expensive, and chances are that not many other companies have the technology to make it worth investing in. However, it may still serve a purpose for internal use within a company. Another drawback is the need for an ISDN line. ISDN allows for the transfer of simultaneous voice and video data. But, ISDN isn't widely available yet either, therefore creating another roadblock. [top]
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