IS employees who want to telework tend to need more access to different applications and databases than the general office population. "They do need access to the same software they have in the office, database administration tools and development software, and those kinds of things," observes TManage’s Pardo of his remote IS workforce. TManage maintains a virtual private network that gives offsite workers the same access to the company’s internal network that they get in the office while still ensuring as secure an environment as possible.

Several telework executives pointed out that IS employees are also more able than their noncomputer-savvy colleagues to troubleshoot problems with hardware, software and communications connections. On the flip side, IS workers may be slightly more apt than the working populace at large to have trouble with the one element managers say is essential to a good remote-work agreement: constant interpersonal communication. "They tend not to exchange a lot of e-mail because they’re hard at work," says Roitz.

Some companies combat the problem by publishing guidelines that specify just how quickly offsite employees are expected to respond to phone calls, e-mail and the like. Others don’t get so formal but do try to remind quieter workers that they need to compensate for lost water-cooler moments. "The biggest challenge is not having those hallway conversations, especially when you’re moving as fast as we are," concedes Frank Ianna, president of AT&T Network Services, based in Basking Ridge, N.J.

Remote Technology

Oftentimes, managers say, technology can help the communication process along. Basic e-mail and voice mail systems are often all that’s needed to stay in touch, though some workers and their remote teammates swear by instant messaging (and just as many others seem to loathe it).

Disparate team members often rely on whatever software tools were already part of the work culture--including LAN- or Web-based meeting and team-management packages, Lotus Notes databases or project management software--to stay updated while out of sight. Though videoconferencing and other high-end technologies are required sparingly, if at all, some teleworkers, like those at the Global Outsourcing Group at Unisys Corp., based in Bluebell, Pa., rely on teleconferencing services, which allow any employee to easily book ad hoc or regularly scheduled telephone meetings over the company’s phone system.

Management Matters

How can and should managers effectively supervise offsite workers? Some executives insist your management team is already in trouble if individuals have to adapt their management style to accommodate teleworkers. The reason? Good managers in forward-thinking companies should already be using a results-driven management style for all employees, internal or otherwise.