Road Warriors were first identified in the USA, but are now emerging in our own market, according to Regus South Africa, local subsidiary of the global Regus network, world’s largest provider of pioneering workplace solutions.

Regus has long provided flexible office solutions, but the needs of the Road Warrior take flexibility to a new level, says Joanne Bushell, CEO of Regus Africa.

The Road Warrior uses office space to “touch down and go”. He (or she) demands secure Internet access to enable full interaction with a local or global head office, high data transfer speeds, WiFi connectivity, VoIP (Internet telephony) and on site administrative support.

Joanne Bushell explains: “We’ve tracked the Road Warrior phenomenon for some time. It’s now reached critical mass in South Africa; so much so that meeting their needs was an important consideration when we upgraded our technology resources.”

She ascribes the Road Warrior’s local emergence to three principal factors:

1. Full geographic coverage for cell phone connectivity and almost universal access. There are now an estimated 32 million cell phone subscribers in South Africa, while figures from Merrill Lynch put South Africa top of the mobile spending ‘league’ with 2.8% of GDP spent in this way (versus 2.6% in Malaysia and 2.5% in Israel, the countries in second and third place). Sophisticated 3G technology turns the cell phone into the WiFi office in your hand – if you have supporting infrastructure you can trust.

2. Increasing use of laptops, Personal Digital Assistants and other remote devices to transmit and receive data by self-starter professionals as they move between regional centres or relocate to South Africa to work in a multinational’s local project team.

3. Increased traffic congestion. Recent Road Traffic Management Corporation figures show there are now 2 968 293 vehicles on Gauteng’s roads, leading to gridlock at peak-times. The Road Warrior is a 24/7 operator rather than a 9-2-5 commuter. Morning attendance at the office every day leads to downtime he or she can’t afford. Flexible office arrangements make more sense.

Joanne Bushell adds: “The WiFi café was a first generation response to Road Warrior needs, but leading companies have become increasingly concerned about data protection and security.

“WiFi connectivity in a social setting can breach data management protocols. Secure infrastructure for voice and data-streams at high transfer rates is now vital.”

Regus business centres utilise CheckPoint NG-AI Release 55 firewall systems – the latest Hewlett Packard platform. All its major centres deploy 2-megabyte leased lines, with a 3-megabyte fibre-link available at its Bryanston flagship. Category 6 cable (for simultaneous transfer of voice and data) is being installed.

VoIP capability will be rolled out nationally during the course of the year, enabling Regus to offer wireless zones at all centres. Clients can log on at the zones, connecting instantly to their corporate Virtual Private Networks.

Says Joanne Bushell: “The technology is important, but so is the Regus address and on site support. One thing has not changed – the demand for desirable locations from which to conduct business and a professional team to take away the daily hassle. Today, you ‘impress for success’ – whether you’re a Road Warrior or a more traditional business operator.”