Evolving office technologies: telecommuting, conserving energy and resources.

• Author: Kenshalo, Rachel
• Position: TECHNOLOGY

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The last several years have seen technology innovations trending toward becoming more user friendly and more easily integrated into the user's lifestyle. Consumers, even the most technophobic among us, are embracing touch screens, high-definition displays and digital music. Businesses also are taking advantage of evolving technology.

Telecommuting is more popular than ever, as companies use wireless connectivity and mobile devices to allow employees to work on the go, an important job perk for those balancing a family and career, or people who just don't like being "chained to a desk." And as the economic downturn forces businesses to cut expenses, office technologies that conserve energy and resources are becoming increasingly popular. The end result is a greener work environment.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Alaska businesses are no different, says Kim Kovol, executive director of Green Star, a local nonprofit organization encouraging businesses to practice waste reduction, energy conservation and pollution prevention.

"We are seeing a sharp increase in businesses investing resources into energy-efficient technologies and practices. For example, using energy-efficient lights, heat zoning (especially for data centers), flextime practices and virtual meetings to reduce carbon footprints," Kovol says.

Clearly, there are practical reasons for businesses to implement green technology, but knowing where to start can be tricky.

Sundog Media, an Alaska Web design and print company, is taking it to the extreme. They are bucking the common conception of what it's like to be an office worker, and they're doing it very effectively.

"We often joke that we are the ultimate green company because our product is made out of code and lives on the Web," says Joe Law, who co-owns Sundog Media with his wife Cathy. Although they serve approximately 200 clients, the company gives the impression of being a quaint, family run enterprise ("Granny" is listed as a staff member on the Web site, and her duties include "brownie maker" and "allowing Cathy and I to have date nights"). However, its close-knit team is located throughout Alaska and the United States. The company has staff members and contractors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Tennessee, Montana and Clam Gulch. "Our entire team works from home and collaborates very effectively with a variety of Web-based tools," Law says.

TELECOMMUTING MOTIVATION

He also cautions that although telecommuting has worked...