The IT-services company, Excel Data A/S, located in the relatively peripheral region of Mid Jutland, Denmark, has established the country’s first satellite office, directly building upon the mixed experiences employees have had of teleworking from home. These include the positive benefits of individual empowerment and reduced stress especially for employees with families, as well as the negative consequences of professional and social isolation. The satellite office has been able to counter the latter problems by providing an environment for three employees in which the isolation factor has been considerably reduced if not completely abolished. It has also highlighted for need for completely new management techniques and shown how to develop effective on-line communication.

Excel Data and its satellite office has already become an exemplar of a way of working which is likely to become mainstream in the near future and contributes in important ways to an understanding of how beneficial telework can be implemented to increase social and environmental sustainability. The company has reduced employee commuting, and has shown how peripheral areas can retain and attract well qualified labour. Significantly, the satellite office is the first step towards the geographical decentralisation of employment opportunities within a peripheral area. Social benefits have also been obtained through easing the daily stress of employees with families without increasing isolation, providing a way to reconcile work and private life and opening up individual choice and empowerment.

The effectiveness of the satellite office concept is being monitored by the Occupation Health Clinic of Herning Central Hospital as part of a 30 month evaluation project.