Virtual office users can work remotely, without struggling to get to the office in bad weather

Businesses in the UK have been hit by the effects of the recent bout of wintry weather. Recent figures by Citrix GoToMyPC state that as much as 124 million working hours were lost last week as a result of the snow, due to travel disruptions and closed schools.

But for businesses using a virtual office solution, in most cases the need to reach an office is removed, and a reliable remote system is already in place to allow business as usual.

Andrew Millard, Director of eCommerce EMEA for Citrix Online's GoToMyPC, says:

"In severe weather, being equipped with a virtual office that provides a 'just like being there experience' is the best insurance for businesses."

He adds that collaboration and remote access tools, such as those provided by Citrix Online, provide the "cornerstone of an effective business continuity plan" that helps ease the impact of lost productivity.

For virtual office users this is nothing new - and many have removed the need to commute on a regular basis by setting up a virtual office, complemented by an office at home, in the garden, or at a local accessible venue.

There are many benefits of remote working, the most obvious being cost. Working from a remote connection and using a virtual office reduces the need for commuting, thus cutting down on travelling costs. A flexible office operation even allows meetings to be held online and documents to be accessed and shared instantly, which helps teams to communicate regularly.

However if a meeting room is required, one of the benefits of a virtual office is that a physical location is available should the need arise.

Businesses signing up to a virtual office have the option to hire meeting rooms on an adhoc or inclusive basis. And because many virtual offices are available in prestigious buildings, this provides an excellent first impression for clients too.

Other benefits of a virtual office include the telephone answering and messaging services. For businesses that choose to take up the telecoms solution, incoming calls will be answered by a receptionist and either forwarded on, or a message will be taken.

There are a number of different virtual services that can be acquired by businesses seeking a cost effective alternative to the traditional office environment, all of which can significantly help to maintain business as usual - an essential factor in continuity planning that plays a vital role in managing a successful business.

For more details about virtual offices to rent in the UK, speak to our expert virtual office consultants for free expert help and advice.