In The Hot Seat

Antonella Carrara of CSELT

What was the trigger that got you interested in teleworking and teleworking technologies?

It was not a real trigger. Since 1996, I was responsible of the Telework Implementation Project in CSELT, and coordinating the development of telework solutions for Telecom Italia. I participated to the design and implementation of the Roma Nexus Telework Center of Telecom Italia. I also participated to different European Projects about teleworking (es. TEN TRENDS, ACTS TWIN, EURESCOM P714).

Has this affected you personally in the way you work and, if so, how?

No, CSELT is a company for the reserach, study, experimentation and qualification for telecommunication and information technologies which enables telework as Internet, e-mail and World Wide Web applications, mobile services, and cooperative working software. That tecnologies represent my daily working tools.

What are the unique dynamics that drive teleworking in your country?

The role of government at all levels is crucial

How do you see the Internet changing in the next five years and what will be the impact on teleworking?

The enabling role of Internet is critical to increase either teleworking and other domain. The Internet is changing the way of working and living, and technological evolution. Anyway, telework will be accompanied by improvements across the whole range of telework technologies, that includes the Internet, but also e-mail and World Wide Web applications, mobile services, on-line support and cooperative working software. Thanks to technologies, "telework" will became a "normal" way of working in a couple of years.

From a socio-political point of view, how important is teleworking in your country?

On 25/2/1999, the Italian Parlament approved articles for teleworking in Public Administration. The articles intended to encourage the adoption and practice of telework by defining economic and normative treatment, technical rules, teleworking. It represents a significative signal the importance of telework.

Do you see adoption of new ways of working and telework is being primarily technology driven or commercially driven?

Telework is being driven by low cost/ high performance technology offered according to strategic marketing plan. Specific discount offer could contribuite to more broadly telework adoption. Lack of fully developed infrastructures, both of ISTs and of enabling facilities for telework is a real barrier. Moreover cultural reasons could represents a telework slowly adopted.

How important is cross border working and co-operation, or do you see teleworking as primarily an insular philosophy?

The word "telework" is an accurate description of the concept work at a distance (the "tele" prefix means "distance"), by utilizing electronic technologies and/or telecommunications that allows space and time virtualising. The teleworking is tied with what is your job non a specific topology.

Bullet point five key reasons why companies should adopt teleworking technologies and practises.

• Increasing, the efficiency and effectiveness
• Reinforce industrial competitiveness
• Increase skills and professional abilities
• Organisation flexibility
• Enhance customer service

 This page was last modified on: June 09, 1999

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