Sept. 10, 2008 - Cisco is offering mid-sized companies a remote working solution billed as a resource-efficient - and therefore cost-effective - alternative to the brick-and-mortar office.

Cisco says its new Virtual Office system addresses the growing trend among mid-sized and large enterprises that have workforces distributed among a variety of remote locations and need secure access to services such as video, voice, data and wireless service.

"The Cisco Virtual Office enhances the benefits of remote working by providing office-caliber technology wrapped in a security blanket," says Marie Hattar, vice president of network systems and security solutions. "It allows businesses to stay agile, and in some cases, it can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to commuting while managing operational expenses at corporate sites."

A unique feature of the system is the "zero-touch" setup which automates installation of the system. According to the company the zero-touch setup allows businesses to extend their workforces to thousands of locations without the worry of employee error or the need of IT support.

The Virtual Office system joins Cisco's growing line of remote working solutions including its Telepresence systems which feature "virtual tables" with seating for up to 18 meeting participants.