CORDIS Archive : Preface

Preface

"Flexible working" refers to the ability to work anywhere and any time, with colleagues and customers who are at a distance, by means of computers and advanced communications networks. It goes beyond today's conventional methods of telework, to embrace new paradigms such as shared virtual environments, telepresence, advanced computer supported co-operative working, seamless global mobility, and the coming multimedia, broadband Internet.

Such new ways of flexible working will play a transforming role in the information society. They will enable millions of Europeans to enjoy opportunities for greater prosperity, a healthier environment and a better quality of life. Flexible working is a major tool to help to ensure sustainable development and social inclusion.

This is a timely book, as the ACTS Programme (Advanced Communications Technologies and Services) reaches its conclusion, and the new IST Programme (Information Society Technologies) commences. ACTS has made a highly significant technological contribution to furthering advanced communications in general and flexible working in particular. IST embraces a much wider remit than ACTS but is nevertheless a technological research programme, the emphasis being more on the integration and application of information and communications technologies in ways that benefit society as a whole. This wider scope enables researchers to tackle issues well outside the confines of their immediate disciplines and will lead to applications and technologies that meet the needs of 21st century users.

The book initially sketches visions of new ways of flexible working and the benefits they can bring. Vision however needs to be translated into engineering. It goes on to highlight major achievements of various areas of ACTS which have developed and prototyped applications that will support the new generation of flexible working over the next few years. Since the networks are pivotal in supporting communications and mobility the book considers advancements in network technologies and some basic issues that remain to be addressed, in order to realise the vision. It is complementary to other ACTS publications on telework, as it provides a technological perspective and reveals new possibilities. It is in line with the series of thematic publications on various aspects of ACTS produced by the InfoWin / InfoBridge project, though in this case it has been produced co-operatively by three ACTS projects - DIFFERENCE, InfoBridge and ACTSLINE.

Mario Campolargo and John Nolan
European Commission DG XIII, September 1999

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