SOFTWARE INDUSTRY NEWS

Virtual workstyles are money in the bank - Citrix
19 May 2010 , Written by Dhruv Tanwar
Bookmark and Share


A report commissioned by Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, has found that virtual work policies have the potential of saving American businesses over $400 billion per year in terms of increased productivity, lower office costs, and reduced absenteeism and staff turnover. The report, entitled “Workshifting Benefits: The Bottom Line,” was compiled by the Telework Research Network (TRN) and quantifies the many benefits in dollars and cents.

More than the clearly-visible cost savings for businesses, the report also outlines benefits for individuals, the environment and the nation as a whole. TRN’s Savings Calculator is based on data that shows 40% of American workers could work from home at least some of the time, and of those, 79% would choose to if given the opportunity.

citrix_logo_gray_200x78
The report says that if those people worked from home just half of the time:

  • A company of 100 people could gain around $576,000 per annum and the US economy as a whole would gain $235 billion in increased productivity.
  • US businesses could save an additional $124 billion in office costs, $46 billion in reduced absenteeism and $31 billion in reduced employee turnover.
  • Each employee could save an average of $362 on gas annually, plus $3,840 on related expenses such as parking, food and clothing. Individuals could also recover around two weeks of free time per year otherwise spent commuting. Their savings on gas would reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by about 53 million metric tons – the equivalent of taking over 9.6 million cars off the road – and it would save $23 billion a year in imported oil, which equates to around 288 million barrels of oil.
  • US taxpayers would save $2 billion in highway maintenance costs, and the US as a whole would save $11 billion in traffic accident costs.

Bernardo de Albergaria, vice president, general manager of global marketing and eCommerce of Citrix Online said the benefits of flexible working include reduced stress, better work-life balance, increased motivation, and healthier lifestyles. Yet, adoption remains limited with fewer than 2% of US employees practicing flexible working, in part due to fears of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’

Kate Lister, TRN’s principal and the report’s author said that adopting a virtual workstyle will allow Baby Boomers stay in the workforce longer if they choose to, even as “it appeals to Millennials’ desire for flexibility and independence.” Additional benefits include more job opportunities for disabled workers, rural residents, parents and caregivers. It could also help achieve 27% of President Obama's goal of reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, the report said.
 

LISTS AND RESEARCH

  • list Global Software Top 100 - Edition 2011
    • The Global Software Top 100 is a list of the world's largest software companies, ranked by annual software revenues. The list is based upon revenue information of 10,000+ IT companies worldwide.
  • Software industry trends (2011)
    • This research article (accompanying the Global Software Top 100) describes changes in the software industry playing field. It analyses trends and key players and forecasts future developments.
  • Top hardware companies
    • A list of the world's largest hardware companies.
  • What happens in the hardware industry?
    • Trends and analysis of the hardware industry and its key players.
  • Top IT services companies
    • A list of the world's largest IT services companies, ranked by annual services revenues. This link will take you to www.servicestop100.org.
  • IT services companies: healthy growth
    • What is happening in the IT services industry? Read this research publication to find out about trends and key players in the IT services industry.
  • Top gaming companies (2010)
    • Entertainment is good business, and gaming software companies are growing faster than the rest of the software industry. This research article discusses trends and key players in the gaming business.
  • Top ERP companies
    • A research publication about the world's leading players in enterprise software.
  • Top security software companies
    • A research publication discussing the world's leading publishers of security software: antivirus-, spamfiltering-, intrusion detection- and firewall software.
  • The fastest growing software companies
    • This research publication reveals the fastest growing software companies in the world.
  • CRM companies: a short list
    • A short list of the leading software companies selling Customer Relationship Management software; aimed at IT managers looking to purchase CRM software.
  • Top software companies in the US (2010)
    • A list of the largest software companies in the United States, ranked by annual software revenues. 2010 Edition, posted 15 December 2010.
  • U.S. software industry trends (2010)
    • A research publication discussing the trends and the key players in the software industry in the United States. Posted 15 December 2010.
  • Top companies in the world (not just software)
    • A general list of the largest companies in the world, ranked by revenues. Not just software companies; in fact, there are no software companies in it...
  • Top IT companies
    • A list of the largest IT companies in the world, ranked by annual revenues. Includes hardware, software and services.
More lists and research >

POPULAR NEWS

Go to news overview >

RECENT NEWS

Go to news overview >