Introduction

With the help of computers and the use of public networks like Internet, we are nowadays capable of working and learning from everywhere with a telephone and cable connection.  In Amsterdam, there are a lot of people that work in professions which are suitable for telework.

Objectives and target audience

The main objective of TeleDock initiative is to provide a network of offices/telecentres for local teleworkers with access to high-quality equipment, professional software and a fast internet connection within a short distance from their homes.
By offering an alternative to teleworkers who cannot or do not wish to work from home for various reasons, TeleDoking aims to contribute to reduce the amount of kilometres driven from and to work, together with the damage to the environment and the annoyance of the traffic jams.

The target group for the telework centre are employees, free-lances, starters and entrepreneurs. At the same time, it can also be targeted to students, unemployed or NGOs who want to follow or organise educational programmes.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

TeleDock is an initiative of Aby-Teleconsulting in cooperation with the Woningbedrijf Amsterdam (property company) and the Stichting Website Netwerk.

Process

Every local teleworker travels to the office (TeleDock) which is more accessible to him/her. These telecentres offer office services for teleworkers who do not want to or cannot work at home, but do not want to make long commuting trips.

This teledock is a multifunctional centre that offers people the opportunity to use the most modern technology for information and communication (high quality computers, professional software, fast internet connection, fax and telephone). People can also rent a workplace (including meeting rooms), participate in courses offered by the centre, contribute to multimedia experiments, use the information services of Teledock and participated in cultural and recreative events.

Results

Teledock offers a pleasant space and excellent services to teleworkers who look for a place to work in their own neighbourhood in Amsterdam.
In addition, it contributes to increase the liveability of the city and helps to reduce traffic congestion.
Besides educational centres and NGOs can rent a part of the telecentre for training courses contributing the educational aspect of the project and also strengthening social cohesion in the neighbourhood by reducing the gap between the people who have access to modern technology and people who are excluded from it.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The possibility to exploit benefits coming from tele-work solutions relies on affordable, ubiquitous, high speed internet access including affordable, user-friendly, energy efficient terminals (PC, Mobile, TV or other), widespread basic IT skills.