A Virtual Office is a combination of off-site live communications, on-site phone answering and mailing address services to allow reducing the traditional office costs while maintaining business professionalism and appearance of on-site office establishment.
The “Virtual Office” was first used in 1983 airline in-flight magazine article about portable computing. The virtual office concept is an evolution of the executive suites industry and the first commercial application of a virtual office occurred in 1994, when Ralph Gregory founded “The Virtual Office, Inc”, in Boulder, Colorado. This company expanded throughout North America and is now known as “Intelligent Office”.
A virtual office blends home and work to gain efficiencies in both. Office expenses are low, while the user’s professionalism retains the image of a traditional, high-cost office. A virtual office user can reduce their environmental impact, as well as the personal negatives of a daily commute. Virtual office clientele have the flexibility to match expenses with revenue fluctuations immediately, as the costs are usually variable. A virtual office can allow for low-cost expansion with no long-term commitments. Users taking advantage of virtual office receptionists eliminate the traditional burden of health care, records, payroll, insurance & rent.
Virtual offices are experiencing growth even in a recessionary economy, and not just in the United States. As businesses look to trim expenses, virtual office services help reduce overhead while keeping professionalism high.
Source: Wikipedia