During last winter's snow storms it is estimated that UK business lost over £7 billion. With another hard winter reported to be approaching, businesses must ensure they are better prepared so that staff can work from home, without compromising security, if they are unable to make it into the office.

With heavy snow already seen in many parts of the UK at the end of November and the forecast of more snow to come during December, businesses that have put in place secure remote working facilities for staff will already be starting to reap the benefits through minimising the loss of productivity.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, up to three million people missed work because of the snow back on Tuesday 5th January 2010, and that alone cost businesses £600 million. And a recent YouGov poll found that 58% of small businesses suffered as a result of the winter weather in 2009/2010, even though they had thought they were prepared.

Some owners may shy away from permitting employees to work remotely because they think it will mean a big investment in technology. However by talking basic steps to adopt the right technology, businesses can fully implement a remote working strategy and be safe in the knowledge that their employees can continue to work even when they physically can’t get into the office, using secure devices that will markedly eliminate the problems associated with data loss and security breaches that seem to be all too common.

The technology isn’t expensive either, allowing SMEs, as much as larger enterprises, to roll out the necessary technology to implement successful remote working practices without the need for expensive equipment upgrades.

With snow and ice already causing major disruption to businesses for a second time this year, the simple question is, can your business afford the lost productivity again during this upcoming long hard winter?

The technology exists today to enable any business, no matter how large or small, to successfully implement remote working practices. And with the right technology in place, businesses need not worry or panic about security breaches, data losses or staff failing to make it into work.