As costs keep rising and margins keep getting tighter and tighter, new companies are looking for ways to cut costs and pump in money to the more crucial aspects of their business. Just over ten years ago, having an office space was integral to a successful business and there was no way around this face. It represented the base of operations where transactions can occur, meetings can be held, calls can be made – all the secondary protocols of a business can be executed. It was also the physical representation of a business – start and finish of corporate strategy and branding direction. As the years went by and the internet picked up momentum, there was a change in the business philosophy all over the world. The world was turning into a global village and new forms of liquid business were rearing their economic head out of the water. Older, more established businesses were also being removed out of the physical office space and into the electronic and digital super corridor. The era of the home sourced office worker came into being and soon the idea of workforce and business became totally transformed. Soon new businesses were warming up to the idea of the virtual office and now the service has become a feature of business start up leaflets and pamphlets'.

What are the benefits of a virtual office? The obvious one is cost. Rental, electricity, renovations – these are just some of the things that can run up a bill when setting up a business base. Computer and digital equipment, internet connectivity and internal as well as external communication then add to several more lines on the bill. The market and especially new business were getting smarter, why should they spend money when the internet has revolutionarised communications and the Web 2.0 movement, with all its interactivity is in full swing. Virtual boardrooms, online chat, digital fax, email, Microsoft Office – all these translates to a tiny fraction of the possible cost that an entrepreneur can incur on himself and in this time and economic climate, it is all about smart investing and corporate restructuring. Some services do the setting up of a virtual office for you, complete with a call centre, fax service and even a universal admin clerk.

Another benefit of a virtual office is the lack of stress when it comes to setting it up. All you need is simple co-ordination and making sure that connectivity and communication is set up. Each of the satellite mini virtual offices ensure that they have the necessary equipment from wherever they are operating from and voila! You have an integrated networked virtual office that is ready to go. No setup worries, no contractors, no messy wire and lines and most of all a huge reduction of possible things to go wrong. Other intangible benefits include higher levels of productivity for those who find it easier to work in a more comfortable and tactile environment.

These are just some of the benefits of using a virtual office and once you realise that the virtual is so much better than the physical – you will appreciate the full advantage of not having to go to work.