NewsBriefs
Local Government Embraces Telework
By KA Staff
Nov 14, 2006, 16:51

Broadband connectivity is the key to a new telework program launched by Loudoun County, Virginia. With 92 government offices spread over 500 square miles and a growing traffic problem, county officials needed creative strategies for collaboration. In addition, the county government was running out of office space for its workforce and needed a plan to assure continuity of operations in the event of a disaster.

Last year, Loudoun County worked with the Telework Consortium to pilot a video and collaboration tool that could foster adoption of telework, particularly for employees in remote locations. Participants in the pilot program found unexpected ways to use remote workforce technologies, including presenting legislative updates via videoconferences during board meetings, decreasing commute times and increasing work-life balance.

The pilot has since been expanded, as has the role of telework. Loudoun County extended its relationship with the Consortium through June 2007. The Consortium will now provide county officials with a desktop collaborative (video, audio, and data software) Internet Protocol-based environment, dedicated server hosting, application training on the collaborative software and a customer support desk.

“Solid distributed work programs aim to enhance economic development opportunities, address continuity of operations concerns in the event of a disaster, reduce road congestion and costs, increase productivity, and promote a healthy work/life balance – all significant initiatives for this community,” said William Mularie, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Telework Consortium. 

Loudoun County Supervisor Lori L. Waters added, “Telecommuting demands broadband, which is why it has been critically important for Loudoun County to make the expansion of high-speed Internet countywide a high priority.”