Working at home is a growing popular trend. The 2010 U.S. Census reports 9.5 percent of the population spends at least one day a week working at home – an increase of more than 2 percent since 1997. Technology is making it easier for employees and self-employed workers to set up a home office and conduct business.
When deciding to set up an office at home, one challenge many workers face is determining what computer to use – or purchase. Apple and Windows-based PCs are the two staples, and everyone has a preference on which system they prefer. Sometimes it’s the user interface of one over the other that’s preferred, and in other cases, how chosen programs perform on each platform determines what type of computer workers purchase. And often, workers just want to seamlessly blend in with the office environment, and purchase the same system for home.
With Parallels Desktop for Mac, the difficulty of choosing between the two platforms is obsolete. This software enables users to run all operating systems like Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Mac OS X, Google Chrome OS and more on a Mac without rebooting. This allows an at-home employee to easily switch between the system provided on work computers and the home computer, even if they’re running different operating systems.
This allows at-home workers several benefits:
* If you have a Mac and a PC, then Parallels Desktop software can simply move your entire PC onto you Mac so you have everything on one computer. If you don’t have a PC, its wizard lets you simply add Windows and other operating systems to your Mac so you can do everything on one computer.
* Save money because there is no need to repurchase software you already own. All of the PC applications you invested in can simply be moved to your Mac and run in Windows via Parallels Desktop.
* Run both Windows and Mac systems at the same time, allowing you to work in a Mac program while using a Windows platform.
* Copy and paste between documents running in both operating systems easily – which is not possible if you must reboot your Mac to change between OS X and Windows applications.
Another challenge working-from home employees face is taking the business on the road. Those who are self-employed often don’t have the luxury of bringing business into the home office, and have to make the office mobile. This requires updating technology so email, documents and files can all be accessed from either a smartphone or tablet.
Another option is to access your computer remotely, allowing you to do everything you’d be doing at home while away. Parallels Mobile for iPad and iPhone lets you remotely access and run all of your Mac and Windows files and applications when you’re on the go.
One final challenge is being able to handle the business errands without having to leave the office – or home. Banking, setting up conference calls or ordering supplies can all be done electronically using websites and downloadable apps. This technology allows a home-worker to make business deposits, connect with clients and have supplies delivered to the door – without having to leave.
Seamless connection is key to working at home, because any interruption in getting technology to work is lost time, and potentially lost business. Apps, using the same computer programs you’ve always used through Parallels Desktop for Mac and mobile devices will help any at home worker to keep all connections with the office and clients going strong. Mac users can download a free trial of the software at www.parallels.com/desktop.