The buzz is all about customer service and call center outsourcing, also known as BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). According to Gartner, the outsourcing market in Europe has grown with over 6%, BPO with 10%. The market for offshore outsourcing (to low wage countries) is growing with a whopping 40% this year! However, the subject of outsourcing is not without controversy. So what's it all about?

Consumers are increasingly accepting of businesses running from virtual offiices rather than bricks and mortar buildings, according to the Institute of Risk Management (IRM).

This is because with the spread of the internet, email, mobile phones and other communications technology, homeworking and out-of-office working are seen as more normal, Ian Fraser, IRM's marketing manager, says.

Work from home, save the planet

Both the Met Office and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have advised businesses to encourage home working, saying this brings ecological as well as economic benefits.

Speaking at the Workwise UK Conference in London on Wednesday, Dr Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met Office, told CNET.co.uk's sister site ZDNet.co.uk that home working could also allow businesses to operate from smaller premises, saving money. "There are financial incentives and compelling corporate social responsibility incentives," said Betts. "Companies are affected by legislation. When legislation comes in regulating carbon emissions, companies encouraging home working will be ahead of the game.

Facts about mail forwarding and telephone answering services

In an always changing business climate, flexibility and speed are vital for success in any business and virtual packages are ideal for those who want to create a professional setting appearance in order to establish a corporate presence. The packages included in these virtual services are meant to manage in an efficient manner your work flow, being very flexible and catering for the needs of all types of businesses. The virtual office covers a wide range of activities and a virtual package usually provides you the use of a business address, telephone answering, mail forwarding and sometimes even the use of private offices when needed.