The ability to transmit data using pulses of light has opened the door for many world-changing innovations in medicine, manufacturing, and communications. One of the earliest applications of fiber optics was the development of laparoscopes that enable minimally invasive surgical procedures. Further advancements in the technology ushered in the era of high-speed communications.
The main advantage of fiber optics is speed. Ultra-fast fiber connections have made fiber optics an attractive option for businesses. The glass fibers allow information to travel at nearly the speed of light over long distances without risk of interference.
The speed, resilience, and reliability of fiber optics have changed how businesses operate by allowing them to work with staff remotely and promote business collaboration.
Breaking Down Cubicle Walls
According to Global Workplace Analytics, 50% of the U. S. workforce telecommutes at least part of the time and 20 to 25% telecommute frequently.
Telecommuting provides a more flexible workday and an attractive work/life balance. Employees can 
work from home or at their favorite coffee shop. Parents can easily catch their child’s soccer game or attend a parent/teacher conference thanks to the convenience of a flexible work schedule that telecommuting affords.
With fiber optics, these employees enjoy the same connectivity that in-office workers experience. They can easily upload and download files and access real-time information to make timely decisions.
Companies benefit by gaining access to a geographically distributed workforce. They can hire the best talent no matter where that person lives. Central offices can also better communicate with remote offices across a region or around the country without having to worry about lags in the distribution of information. When employees work from other locations, organizations also save money on office space.
Encouraging Teamwork
Higher bandwidth makes cost-efficient business collaboration possible. The super-thin glass fibers in fiber optics enable thousands of wires to fit inside each cable so more data can pass through than with copper cables.
Increased bandwidth allows companies to stream video conferences and transmit high definition videos for training purposes. Fewer bottlenecks mean employees can exchange information in real-time for faster decision making.
Fiber optics allow employees to experience lower latency for higher quality VoIP. Conversations are clearer and uninterrupted by jitters.
Unified communications eases the process of business collaboration so workers can share their ideas and spur innovation. Employees can discuss projects, share files, and maintain version control over documents.
Collaboration also increases employee productivity. McKinsey, a global management consulting firm, found that collaboration between software developers improved productivity 20 to 30%. When employees involved in a project are all on the same page, they work more efficiently and don’t risk duplicating work or having to redo tasks.
Taking Your Business to the Next Level With Fiber Optics
If your company is still relying on traditional copper cables, you may be missing out on opportunities to work smarter and more profitably. Fiber optics open the door to easier and more productive employee interactions. Workers can use a wide range of communication tools to share information and collaborate. No matter where your employees are working, they can access data and documents quickly and reliably.
Working with the right fiber optics provider will allow your business to benefit from these new business processes. FirstLight has 15 years’ experience providing fiber optics for internet, telecommunications, and data centers. As our customer, you will gain access to the largest fiber optics network in New England for unprecedented connectivity and a transformed workplace.
Want more information about how fiber optics can change your business? Reach out to the experts at FirstLight.
