Telecommuting, e-commuting,  telework, e-work, working from home (WFH), or working at home (WAH)  – call it what you will –  all boils down to a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours.

Therefore, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or myriad other locations. A frequently heard telecommuting motto is that “work is something you do, not something you travel to”. Perhaps you have considered becoming a telecommuter… if so – think about this – do the telecommuting pros outweight the cons for you?

Telecommuters enjoy:

• More flexibility and control over your working environment and schedule

• Increased productivity: Fewer distractions; work at your own pace

• Less stress: By being a ‘lone-wolf’ you avoid rush hour, office politics, cubicles and harsh lighting

• Greater work/life balance: Stay closer to the people you love However, telecommuters are also more vulnerable to:

• Isolation: You may feel left out of or miss office socializing

• Distractions at home: chores, home deliveries, family interruptions, etc. may replace office disruptions

• Becoming a workaholic: without the usual 9 to 5 and ‘boundaries’, you may feel like–or end up–always working

Do you have the personal attributes required to be a successful ‘remote’ professional?

Teleworkers need to have:

• Self-sufficiency and motivation: Since no one’s watching over your shoulder, you need to be self-motivated

• Good communication (especially writing) skills: Email and phone will replace most in-person communications

• Outside relationships: As you will be away from the in-office ‘loop’ you may have to seek friendships outside of work to maintain a social life

• Organization skills: Your desk and your files are really yours to maintain

General technology :

Telecommuters need to be able to perform basic computer tasks and use online technologies like email, IM, and web conferencing. They also need a specific set of ‘tools’ that need to be compact, lightweight and portable. For example at Pentax DSMobile 600 you’ll find the best tips and advice on the Pentax DSMobile 600 that is a light, compact and a very portable solution for mobile professionals.

If you decide to telecommute, you won’t be alone – estimates suggest that over 50 million U.S. workers (about 40 percent of the working population) could work from home at least part-time yet, in 2008, only 2.five million employees (not including the self-employed) considered their home to be their primary place of business. Occasional telecommuters–those who work remotely (though not necessarily at home) totaled 17.2 million in 2008.