STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

An Investigation into Improving the Efficiency of Teleworkers

Robert Smith
Supervisor: Chris Wayman Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Technology 1/5/2011

The report covers the entire Design Process & Implementation undertaken to reach a viable solution to problems made evident in Teleworking. The report considers the opinions and working habits of different types of Teleworker in order to identify common causes of productivity deterrents in the field. These problems underwent further scrutiny to identify root causes of the issues in order to create a solution to improve efficiency and thus aid the productivity of Teleworkers. The Research then allowed strict guidelines for design to be set and a solution to the initial objective was met. The solution addresses the distractions, nuisances and discomforts of Teleworking in the Home Environment. The solution resulted in the creation of a Workstation that is ergonomically and technologically designed to reduce distractions, provide a healthier working environment and aid productivity of the worker using the integration of some of the latest electronic technologies on the market.

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Abstract

Acknowledgments
Firstly, Chris Wayman and Dave Cheshire must be thanked for all their assistance, support and advice to help with the completion of the Project. Staffordshire University must also be thanked for the provision of all the facilities for Computing and Modelling, and for the Materials that were used to produce the physical models.

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Contents Abstract....................................................................................................................2 Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................3 Introduction...............................................................................................................7 Design Process...........................................................................................................8 Design Planning......................................................................................................8 Project Management..............................................................................................8 Objectives...........................................................................................................8 Timescale...........................................................................................................8 Gantt Chart.........................................................................................................9 Cost................................................................................................................10 Health and Safety Assessment................................................................................10 Ethical Assessment.............................................................................................10 Technical Literature Review.....................................................................................12 Teleworking......................................................................................................12 Teleworkers......................................................................................................12 Common Problems..............................................................................................12 Workstation Design.............................................................................................13 Teleworking Ethics.............................................................................................14 Primary Research...................................................................................................15 Questionnaire....................................................................................................15 Analysis of Problems & Solutions..............................................................................19 Teleworking Review...............................................................................................20 Current Concepts................................................................................................20 Desks and Workspaces.........................................................................................21 Ergonomics.......................................................................................................21 Technology Review................................................................................................22 Laptops & Tablets...............................................................................................22 Communications.................................................................................................24 Inductive Charging..............................................................................................25 HyperSonic (HSS) Speakers..................................................................................26 Accumulated Solution Brief (Research Summary)..........................................................26 Design Implementation...............................................................................................27 4 09004831

Design Specification...............................................................................................27 Design Inspiration..................................................................................................29 Workstation Design................................................................................................30 Initial Ideas..........................................................................................................32 Evaluation of Initial Ideas.....................................................................................33 Development........................................................................................................33 Winged Design..................................................................................................35 Centre-folding Case Design...................................................................................36 Final Concept Design...........................................................................................37 VDRS (Visual Distraction Reduction Screen).............................................................38 Laptop/iPad/Keyboard Integration...........................................................................38 Mobile Phone Integration......................................................................................39 HyperSonic Speakers...........................................................................................39 Lighting...........................................................................................................40 Cup Holder.......................................................................................................40 Portability & Storage...........................................................................................41 CAD Visualisation.................................................................................................42 Final CAD Render..............................................................................................42 Production...........................................................................................................42 Manufacturing Process.........................................................................................42 Material Selection...............................................................................................43 Discussion...............................................................................................................45 Report Discussion..................................................................................................45 Design Process...................................................................................................45 Design Implementation........................................................................................45 Project................................................................................................................47 Recommendations..................................................................................................47 Workstation Colour.............................................................................................48 Inductive Charging for Laptop and iPad....................................................................48 Use of Other Tablets............................................................................................48 Alarming/Scheduling System.................................................................................48 Conclusion..............................................................................................................49 Bibliography............................................................................................................51 Appendices.............................................................................................................53 Appendix A..........................................................................................................54 5 09004831

Appendix B..........................................................................................................54 Appendix C..........................................................................................................54 Appendix D..........................................................................................................55 Appendix E..........................................................................................................56 Appendix F..........................................................................................................57 Appendix G..........................................................................................................57 Appendix H..........................................................................................................58 Appendix I...........................................................................................................62 Appendix J...........................................................................................................63 Appendix K..........................................................................................................65 Appendix L..........................................................................................................68 Appendix L

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Introduction
The required outcome of the project was deemed as finding a solution to the problems faced by Telecommuters. The project looks at how Telecommuters carry out their job-related work in various locations where their own personal working space differs, thus affecting their performance output. The project investigates and analyses how aspects of performing important Teleworking tasks can be made easier, thus making the work carried out by the telecommuter more efficient. Areas initially investigated included; distractions in various working environments, the use of E-Communications and their integration in specific working environments, comfort and health of Teleworkers dependant on the environment and how tasks are performed, transportation and storage of any specific equipment that must be used in all working locations. The desired outcome for the project was to produce a commercially viable product or system to be implemented into this market place. It was expected that the solution will increase productivity and, aid in removing distractions and improving the health of telecommuters. Thus, meaning it would be a desired unique product for the Teleworking community.

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Design Process
Design Planning
Project Management

Project Management is important because it enables the possibility of achieving success in providing a high quality product or service, or a required outcome from the project. Project management can not only improve the final outcome but also improve and make the process in achieving it more efficient. This can be done by analysis of objectives attained, cost analysis and forecasting, and monitoring of project participations.
Objectives

In order to project manage effectively and achieve the desired outcome at the conclusion of a project, it is important to break the Main Objective down into smaller goals and objectives. In order to evaluate whether the smaller objectives are suitable the SMART goal analysis technique can be used. A brief explanation of the key words can be found in Appendix A. () Thus, when determining the smaller objectives for this project it was essential that each one conformed to the SMART goal guidelines. The generic primary tasks for this type of design project are highlighted below and detailed in Appendix B, with the objective for each task described to show the desired progression of this specific project. 1. Concept Stage 2. Research 3. Brief & Specification 4. Design Phase 5. Development 6. Prototyping 7. CAD Modelling 8. Operation Stage
Timescale

In order for the project to be completed successfully it had to be completed within a specific time frame. Therefore, when setting the smaller objectives, each one was evaluated in terms of how long its completion will take and the importance of this objective to the overall
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project. Important objectives and more difficult tasks were therefore given a longer period for completion than others. It was also important therefore to ensure that sufficient time was allocated at intervals to complete any tasks that may have taken longer than expected. Two such tasks that took longer than expected were; the Research phase to determine exactly the problems faced by a Teleworker, and the Design Phase to actually come up with a viable solution to the problem. However, due to the CAD skills developed over the course of the year, one such task that was completed shorter than expected was the CAD visual representation of the Solution including Rendering and Animation. The other aspect of completing objectives with time is that some tasks are dependent on the completion of others. For example, designing the solution could not be started until an initial problem had been identified. This can be seen in the Gantt chart which shows how some tasks could not be started until another had been completed. Also, some tasks were required to run alongside others as they complemented each other and the objective of one could not be found without consideration of the other. This too can be seen in the Gantt chart where some tasks ran alongside another or where tasks overlapped. As this project is a Design Project and not an Engineering one, it had been determined that more time must be spent in the initial stage to generate a concept and thus find background information about the problem before beginning designing the solution. This was in order to create a viable product for the chosen market. As the research was a vital tool in helping create the brief, it was an important task and was therefore divided into smaller research tasks.
Gantt Chart

The Gantt chart is a visual tool used to aid project management by showing the scheduled tasks of a project divided up over time until complete project completion. The Gantt chart is also used to monitor actual progress of a project and its sub-tasks, as current project progression can be compared to the originally desired progression.() The Gantt chart for this project has been produced using Microsoft Project 2007, a digital software package designed specifically to create Project Gantt charts. For Project Gantt Chart, see Appendix C. At intervals throughout the Project, a revision of progression was carried out by assessing whether the work completed was done so in accordance with the Gantt chart time scheduling. It was felt that more time had to be allocated to certain tasks and this was done by editing the
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Gantt chart to reflect the newly proposed schedule. The Gantt Chart was edited significantly to increase both the Research and Concept Design stages. The Gantt chart was also a useful tool for highlighting and evaluating what resources were needed to complete each task in the project. The resources for this project can be seen in detail for each task on the Gantt charts, but some of the main resources needed were the Internet, Word Processing Software, Spreadsheet Software, Gantt chart Software, Books, Journals, Drawing Equipment, Solid Modelling Tools/Equipment, CAD Modelling Software and Rendering Software.
Cost

The cost of the project was very minimal and only involved a small outlay by the university for the cost of materials for the physical testing model.
Health and Safety Assessment

Considering Health and Safety is important because it creates awareness of possible dangers involved with the project, it protects the project manager against any law suit and it allows participants to carry out tasks in a safe and protected manner. () To ensure H&S in the workplace it is a requirement by law to carry out a Risk Assessment for the project being undertaken. A Risk Assessment will then allow the project to be controlled with the application of reasonable measures to prevent harm or injury to any persons. Risk Assessment involves taking 5 main steps to ensuring a project is carried out safely. These 5 Steps can be found in Appendix E. () With this particular project it was important to comply with the Universitys Health and Safety Regulations, and the Health and Safety Regulations in place for Room E16A Workshop (where most of the physical prototyping took place).
Ethical Assessment

Staffordshire University requires that all students carrying out research projects must have their projects ethically approved before inception. The student and their supervisor must determine which Ethical Approval Form needs to be completed using the University

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Guidelines. The student must then follow the process outlined in Appendix G to gain approval and begin the project.() The purpose of Ethical Approval is to ensure Students/Researchers are legally covered and have considered any personal, human or animal issues that may related to the project. Ethical Approval ensures that the project is conducted in accordance with the RAE Statement of Ethical Principles.() Appendix F shows the University method used to determine the appropriate Approval Form. As the information needed to be obtained from the research stage could be done so with FastTrack Approval it was concluded this would be the form necessary to be completed. The completed Ethics Form can be found in Appendix H.

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Technical Literature Review

Teleworking

In order to determine the problems involved with Teleworking, initial information about the general concept of Teleworking needed to be considered. A good source for this definition was reference () which describes a Teleworker as someone who may carry out work in any location other than the main office. Telecommuting is therefore seen as a substitution of information technology and telecommunication for physical interaction. The author, Nancy J. Johnson is seen as a fairly credible author in this field with contributions to a number of similar books on the subject, however as Teleworking has seen huge transformations due to technology in recent years some information from 2001 may be a little outdated.
Teleworkers

Looking further into what different types of Teleworking there are, shows a number of various ways in which Teleworkers may be confronted by issues. Ursula Huws explains that there are 5 main types of Teleworking. These 5 types are; Multi-Site Teleworking, TeleHomeworking, Freelance Teleworking, Mobile Teleworking and Relocated back-office functions. By exploring these types further it was clear that each worker may experience different problems in their working routine related to the type of work they carry out. () This information made clear that there was likely to be a variety of problems experienced by Teleworkers. Therefore, it was important that the project focussed on achieving a solution that was functional, but still viable in that it did not try to solve incoherent issues. Ursula Huws is regarded as one of the best sources for Teleworking information due to her experience and expertise in the industry. She has published a number of Books, Journals, Reports and Guides about Teleworking, and is also an associate fellow of IES.
Common Problems

The most important part of the project was to create a solution for an existing problem, therefore being able to analyse what problems are involved with Teleworking is a vital ability. In order to do so it was necessary to gain information from a number of different sources as this type of information is classed as subjective; therefore one source may differ greatly to another in its view on a particular issue. The following list shows the variety of sources used to gather this information:

Remote Working ()
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Right kind of quiet () Disadvantages of Telework () The Difficulties, Challenges and Problems of Teleworking, Telecommuting and Working at Home ()

Each of these sources on its own does not give a good indication of the problems that arise with Teleworking. However, using a number of sources from online forums, articles and blogs such as these can begin to show a trend and highlight any reoccurring issues that the majority of Teleworkers face. The issues that arose from this initial literature search could then be used for both clarifications by questionnaire, then analysis of what actually causes them. The biggest issues to arise were distractions in different working environments, portability and storage of equipment in the variety of different working environments, and also communication with and access to resources and software at the main office.
Workstation Design

When trying to solve any issues in the alternative working environments of Teleworkers it was also important to have a good base knowledge of basic design principles, office design requirements and human factors influencing working ergonomics. This type of information was arguably the easiest to come across through numerous Design and Ergonomic Books found in the Library, with a number of them actually specific to an office-style working environment. One book, Universal Principles of Design () provided a good variety and combination of Design Principles that were used later in the Design Phase to ensure a sound, functional, ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing product was produced. This book was written by Jill Butler, William Lidwell and Kristina Holden. Lidwell has written a number of books on product design and is a lecturer at Houston University. Holden is a Human Factors specialist at NASA amongst other things, while Jill is a former Houston University Lecturer and is President of Stuff Creators Design Studio. The book itself has nothing but excellent reviews throughout online book retailing sites. A number of ergonomics books were used in the project to determine how the end solution should be designed for ease of use, but the most suitable was, Office Ergonomics (). This book was quite specific in providing strict guidelines for the Design Specification. It is expected that the author Celine McKeown, would have a great knowledge to produce such a

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material as she is an ergonomist with vast experience and research into office related ergonomics.
Teleworking Ethics

Ethics is an important and well-debated subject with regards to Teleworking, therefore it was considered of reasonable importance to investigate some of the ethical issues involved in Teleworking. Ruth Guthries report, Teleworking Ethics carried out at University of Redlands, CA in 2004 does well to highlight some key fundamental ethics related to Teleworking (). These fundamentals include; Privacy/Monitoring, Work versus Family Issues, Access to resources, Equity and Work Ethic. The report which details an experiment into the attitudes towards Teleworking Ethics of 30 Los-Angeles based professionals produces a fair analogy of what is considered to be right or wrong application in this type of work. Ruth actually goes on to state that further work could be done to make the study more credible as ethical perception could change over time, whilst it could also be more viable to compare results for Teleworkers against Non-Teleworkers. At this stage (as mentioned in Teleworkers above), it was important to take the highlighted issues existent in Teleworking and decide on a specific area in which to provide a solution. It was necessary to do this, as by trying to solve all issues with Teleworking it was likely that the solution would be successful in actually solving none of them. It was more likely to provide a solution that had too many weak functions but no real quality in any specific performance enhancing function alone. The decision was made to look specifically at the issues related to Teleworkers when they are working from home. This area was chosen as many of the reoccurring issues and biggest effectors on Teleworking productivity were found to be when working from the home office environment. These productivity deterrents were mainly due to distractions that exist when working from home and are caused by interaction with other people, the freedom to deviate from monotonous tasks, poor posture causing discomfort, poor eating and working patterns, inefficient workspace layout and dated electronic technology integration into the workspace.

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Primary Research
Questionnaire

Once the initial background research was conducted it was clear to see that there were a specific set of performance detracting issues. These issues were then populated into a questionnaire which explored the exact views of 25 Teleworkers taking into consideration their opinion on each issue. The results from the questionnaire then gave substance to the perceived issues found in earlier research, highlighting which ones were deemed most concerning and how a possible solution may be implemented for any of them. The questionnaire can be found in Appendix I, whilst all the graphs showing the results can be found in Appendix J. However, some of the main issues highlighted once again are shown and analysed below.

Figure 1 - Family Interaction

Figure 2 - Letting Family Interact

Figure 1 shows the frequency at which the participants interacted with either family or friends. This differs from Figure 2 which looks at how often the participant lets their family or friend interrupt what they are doing to interact with them. Although both graphs are very similar they show that more participants let others interact with them rather than them making the effort to interact with others. So, it was assumed that many do not intend to be distracted as often as they do but feel unable to prevent it. From this information it was decided the solution should have some sort of screening feature that keeps the focus of the worker within the workspace whilst deterring others from interacting with them.

Figure 3 - Eating Patterns Figure 3 shows how participants perceived their eating patterns to be. The majority rated theirs as poor meaning they had a poor varied diet and ate at inconsistent intervals, with many
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eating unhealthy foods just to reduce hunger. Many highlighted that their patterns were poor but most accredited this to their own personal preference and cravings. However, it was still believed that there could be a possible feature that can be incorporated into the solution to help aid a healthier diet. It is important to improve the diet of Teleworkers as the indirect effect on productivity is that the body will begin to function worse as health deteriorates.

Figure 4 - Working Posture Figure 4 shows the participants view on their working posture. The answers here can be quite subjective and therefore cannot necessarily be compared with each other. However, if mentally their perception is that their working posture is poor, this is likely to have a deterring psychological effect making them uncomfortable with their environment. The graph shows that most participants have this view and would therefore consider a solution to it. The solution may not actually improve their posture automatically, but could give them the chance of doing so if they wish.

Figure 5 - Working Setup Figure 5 shows where the participants carry out their work in the home. Many of them use a specific desk in their own office room. However, the variety and spread of answers suggests that many just work in an environment where they can be accommodated. This meant a solution had to be created that was able to be used in a variety of different locations no matter how small or confined. The only set specification that was determined was that the workstation must have a flat surface to be used on. Other graphs can be seen in the Appendices but were not deemed as important in highlighted specific problems for solution. Two graphs showed what equipment was being used to carry out the telework. These graphs showed that the majority of workers are using Laptop Computers whilst communicating with Mobile Phones. Laptops and Mobile Phones are now being preferred to PCs and Landlines as they can be used in other locations as well as the home. A small number say they already use Tablets for their work, and this is a trend that is expected to grow rapidly as mentioned in the Computers section.

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Another graph showed that over 50% of those asked were happy with the layout of their workspace. However, there were still a very large number who rated this aspect as poor. There is not necessarily a single solution to this problem as everyone will set their workspace out to their own personal preference. However, many felt that their answer was poor due to their poor organisation of the space, and a solution could possible encourage a certain layout but allow for personalisation accordingly. As well as the questionnaire, each of the participants home office desks were photographed to provide an overall understanding of how different Teleworkers workspace was setup and how this may affect some of their answers, and ultimately the way in which they work. Each participant was also verbally quizzed on their working space to gain feedback as to why they gave some of the answers they did in the questionnaire.

Analysis of Problems & Solutions

To begin looking for ways of creating the solution it was decided that the main issues must be identified from all of the aforementioned research. Highlighting these findings could then aid in looking for current concepts that try to solve similar issues, identifying other technologies that could be incorporated and assist in creating a Product Design Specification for the solution. The main issues that were found and attempted to be addressed in the solution were:

No or insufficient integration of Electronic Communication Mobile Phones, Tablets, Laptops, Internet. Poor Comfort and Health in working lifestyle Ergonomic setup, Eating Habits/Patterns, Injury through back straining. Distractions Family, Friends, Eating, Visual, Organisation, Boredom, Noise. Portability & Foldability Storage in a small home environment and ability to move to alternative working environments, including the Main Company Office. Power & charging of appliances Cable management, ease of use.

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Teleworking Review
Currently there are no products that follow the same concept of the solution that was being attempted to be achieved. There are some similar concepts or products that put paid to some of the Teleworking issues by trying to eliminate certain distractions. However, many are designed for an exact situation or environment and are therefore not adaptable for the individual needs of a specific Teleworker. Some of these products can be seen in the Current Concepts section but it was hoped that a solution could be found that will enable any Teleworker to use the system in whatever environment confines they are restricted to.
Current Concepts Workstations built into Furniture Paramount Home-Office Workstation Kenchikukagu Architectural Furniture Contemporary Home Office by Keith Tay

This product is a simple home office and shelving furniture that folds away to minimise its size. Strengths Integrated into the home environment with shelving

This product is simple to the previous however it has been designed as part of a range. The whole concept is interesting especially the other units (bedroom & kitchen). Strengths Portable can be moved around the house. Can fold whole office into small space.

This product is simpler and is simply a working desk with a back wall to eliminate distractions but folds to store away working space when not needed. Strengths Desk can fit in most working spaces. Back panel can reduce distractions. When folded down can simply be used as a table with no clutter.

Weaknesses Must purchase whole piece which may not fit. The working location in the home environment cannot be changed.

Weaknesses Again the whole range must be bought including all furniture which is very

Weaknesses Folding panel allows for slack organisation as 18

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Not designed to reduce distractions or be ergonomically sound or comfortable for long working hours.

expensive. It is also not adaptable to fit different working environments.

equipment can be left how it is. May still be no room for the desk in a small home. System not portable.

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Desks and Workspaces In order to design for the working environment of a Teleworker it is very important to determine their perception of Personal Space and for many people this could be different. However, using the sources from Desmond Morris and Trifle Creative an understanding of general guidelines was established for use in creating a solution. The articles provided guidance on the following issues; Size making sure that everything needed is in the working space and that they are neither too big nor too small for their purpose. Boundaries the perceived boundaries to the space; that there are obvious boundaries for people not to cross, that they can be changed to show whether someone may come into the space or not, and that they are neither too confined nor too far away. Colour and Lighting the colour and possible lighting can affect the brains perception of the space and the working situation the body is in. This can be changed to optimise the performance and differs from person to person. However, some guidelines used are looked at in more depth in the following sections. Ergonomics When it comes to Office Ergonomics there seems to be a lot of information about suitable chairs and table working heights to provide more comfort and improve posture. However, there is very little to do with layout efficiency and organisation. This is an important topic in ergonomic workspace design as it has a huge influence on the productivity output from the worker. Many current designs claim they are ergonomically sound but only address issues with height and posture. It was important the correct working setup was established and designed for as it will affect Health, Discomfort and Working Efficiency.

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Technology Review
The Technology Review takes a look at some of the technologies found in other applications that either aid in improving working productivity or attempt to reduce distractions. The section looks specifically at the methods of computing and communicating, the importance of ergonomics in the layout of a workspace, lighting and sound applications to reduce distractions and the ways of providing power and charging capabilities for devices in the workspace.
Laptops & Tablets

For the majority of Teleworkers it is essential to have access to and the use of a Computer system. The system allows them to carry out typical working tasks on general software for word processing, accounting, databasing and presentation creation, as well as access to the Internet for Browsing and Emailing. A computer will allow them to also use software specific to their job sector. E.g. a Web Designer would need to use Graphic Design Software to manipulate images, Web Development software etc. As a Teleworker may have no permanent office space then it is more advisable and widely preferred to use a Laptop Computer as opposed to a Desktop PC, which is easily portable and storable in smaller spaces. Some of the most popular Laptops for this type of work are manufactured by brands such as HP, Apple, Sony, Samsung, Acer, Toshiba etc. The most popular sized laptops with Teleworkers have either a 13 screen (Notebook) or 15 screen (Laptop) as they are then neither too small to carry out working tasks properly, nor too big making portability and storage more difficult. In addition to Laptops, a number of Teleworkers are now beginning to use Tablet Computers. Tablet computers differ in that they have a differently developed operating system; they offer a touch-screen interface, they do not usually employ a physical keyboard and far lighter and more compact. The manufacturing costs of Tablets are usually greater, thus why they are generally more expensive that a Laptop. Tablets are being preferred by people who are after an easy to use, fast and responsive gadget that is more compact and portable. These are attributes that would be attractive to a Teleworker. However, the biggest draw-back is the lack of keyboard to carry out longer word processing tasks with greater comfort and ease. Figure 6 shows the expected sales growth of Tablets over other computing devices in the next

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5 years. Tablet sales are expected to grow by 400% and Laptops sales are expected to continue growing (at a rate of 50% by 2015), whilst Desktop PCs are set to see a decline.

Figure 6 - Estimated Computer Sales ()

For the solution it was decided that the use of a laptop or iPad would be designed for. This would cater for the majority of Teleworkers and also considers the tendency to move towards these devices for Teleworking in the future. It would not be viable to design for a PC system as this is not likely to be a sustainable market. The use of only an iPad tablet has been integrated as at present this device is by far the market leader in terms of sales. This has been concluded from the Business Buying Research Report by ChangeWave and shows that currently 82% of tablets bought by business are iPads ().

Figure 7 - iPad 2 (Apple, 2011)

To solve the inconvenience caused by a tablet with having no keyboard it was decided to design for the integration of the Apple Wireless Keyboard into the solution also. The Apple Wireless Keyboard is a good choice as it can be synchronised with the iPad tablet and is a wireless device that does not have the inconvenience of a wiring system running through the workspace.

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Figure 8 - Apple Wireless Keyboard (Apple, 2011)

Communications

As mentioned the method of email communication is very important to Teleworkers and this along with Telephone communication are by far the most popular methods for the average Teleworker. This was shown by the UK Labour Force Survey in 2007 which states that of the 3.2 million people working from home 2.5million need the use of both a Computer and Phone to complete their work.() In order for the use of email communication - which is the exchanging of digital messages there must be able to connect to the internet to allow access to the email server which will receive messages. Likewise, when sending a message there must also be a connection in order to send the message to the recipients email server. Therefore, when designing the final solution consideration must be given to the ability to access the internet. Obviously as highlighted above, it is of huge importance to consider the possibility of telephone integration into the solution. To do so it was deemed necessary to understand what type of phone is used and how it is used. Teleworkers use Landline or Mobile Phones, with some even using both. However, there is a trend leading towards Teleworkers using a business mobile phone even in the home office. This provides an advantage for two reasons. Firstly, this can free up to home landline from unwanted business calls at inappropriate times and secondly, this means that clients need only have one contact number where the Teleworker can be contacted wherever they may be located using this sole number. This has lead to a decision that the final solution will have some sort of integrated phone system that links with the mobile phone. Further research was then needed to establish what mobile phones would be catered for, what functional integration would be used and how they would be powered/charged.

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Inductive Charging

Inductive Charging is the latest technology for charging devices which uses the process of inductive coupling by the transfer of electrical energy between two objects using their electromagnetic field. Because of the small gap between the coils the process can be described as Wireless Charging.

Figure 9 - Inductive Charging Circuit Diagram ()

Some advantages of this type of charging are that there are no exposed electrical conductors, thus reducing the chance of an electrical shock. Also, the fully closed connection means the charging can be used in applications for bathroom and kitchen where water impermeablility is imperative. Another advantage that relates specifically to the solution for this project is that Inductive Charging is its convenience for mobile/portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets. A disadvantage of older technologies is that energy transfer is dissipated more in other forms than electrical energy and thus making charging times greater. However, new technologies mean that ultra thin coils, higher frequencies and advanced battery cell technologies can provide little change to energy transfer, if any. () A number of companies who are experimenting using inductive charging for their devices at present are Lenovo (in their Laptops), Apple (in iPhones & iPads), Bosch and Herman Miller. () So, it had been decided to design for this new technology in the expectancy that the systems integrated devices will be inductively charged. The solution would somehow incorporate an Inductive Charging Mat for Mobile Phones to be charged hassle free with no connecting wires.

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HyperSonic (HSS) Speakers

Hypersonic Sound travels very similar to a Laser, where a directional focussed beam of light features as a beam of sound in this case. It works by an ultrasonic signal emitted from the speaker which interacts with the air. It then breaks up into three and only one of the signals is an audible signal. This audible signal is enclosed within the others which create a cone effect keeping the sound focussed. The application of these type of speakers with this solution is a great fit as they provide such focussed sound that people at a distance of 2 yards either side of the worker would not be able to hear the sound. This would be great for allowing the worker to transfer their system into all environments for working and not disturb others.()

Accumulated Solution Brief (Research Summary)

The concept was to be a workstation system used by Teleworkers in the home, who often have only a desk or other similar flat surface to carry out work on. The target market is any Teleworker who spends time working in different environments and needs the use of a flat surface. The most common application of the concept system is expected to be in the home environment, with the workstation creating as close to an office-style environment as possible. Three main areas for study and development have been: 1. Removing Distractions that exist in working environments away from the workplace. 2. Improving the comfort and health of the Teleworker whilst working at the workstation. 3. Implementing the latest Advanced Technology to easier use of frequently used Teleworking necessities. Eg. Phone Charging and Synchronisation, Laptop Integration incl. Cable management and cooling ventilation, USB charging all using a Solar Powered supply of energy. It was expected that these issues would be addressed by creating a solution workstation that removes distractions and aids in improving the productivity of Teleworkers in the homeoffice environment.

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Design Implementation
Design Specification
1. Function 1.1. Laptop & iPad 1.1.1.Fits laptop with screen sizes up to 15 (both open and closed). 1.1.2. Fits iPad 2 in upright position for interface interaction 1.1.3. Fits Apple Wireless Keyboard for use with iPad 2 for greater ease of typing. 1.2. Mobile Phone 1.2.1.Audio output from call will be given out by HSS Speakers. 1.2.2.Must be accessible at all times when charging or being stored. 1.3. Screening 1.3.1.Must provide a screen that will deter others and reduce visual distraction for the user. 1.3.2.Must be retractable in order to fold and transport the system. 2. Storage & Transportation 2.1. Can be folded to smaller than 1000mm x 800mm x 150mm 2.2. Must have carry handle for easy transportation. 3. Power & Charging 3.1. Provides charging capability for Mobile Phones (either Bluetooth, USB port or inductive charging). 3.2. Mobile Charging unit must fit phones 150mm x 100mm x 40mm or smaller. 3.3. Power is supplied to the system though a Mains Lead, converted through transformer from 230V to 12V. 4. Aesthetics 4.1. Must follow the styling of interior car panels/dashboard. 4.2. Must present the product with a high quality finish and complex futuristic curvature to match the advanced technology within the system. 5. Ergonomics 5.1. Provides a flat surface for the use of a mouse to both the right and left of the laptop position (for both left and right-handed use).

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5.2. Laptop keyboard angle must sit at 15 degrees and be located within the Working Area. 5.3. Laptop must sit at an adjustable height where the centre of the screen is at the eye level of the Teleworker. 5.4. Has dimensions no larger than 1600mm x 800mm (width and depth) 5.5. The working area must provide space for A4 sized paper and folders on either side of the laptop/tablet. 5.6. Phone integration must be on left hand side of solution so that working operations can still be carried out with the right hand and also within the Working Area. 6. Materials 6.1. Must be Lightweight to be able to be carried round by a Teleworker with any strength capability. 6.2. Must be Durable, have a Good Impact Strength and Good Fracture Toughness to withstand constant placement in different storage and transportation environments. 6.3. Must have rubber feet so as not to slide on the working surface which it is placed. 7. Manufacture 7.1. Must be suitable for a manufacturing process for production in the region of 1,000 units per batch. 7.2. Manufacturing Time must be less that 6 weeks turnaround. 8. Product Life 8.1. Product is expected to have a life span of no more than 2 years as constantly updated models of Laptop and Tablet will continually be developed. Also because it is hoped new technologies could be integrated into future workstation models. 9. Service Life 9.1. Although Product Life is short, service life is expected to be between 6 and 10 years, as this could be product that once bought, many customers are not interested in frequent upgrades. 10. Environment 10.1.The solution will not experience any harsh environments which may affect its functionality; however, as it is a product for the home with use around drinking fluids it should be impermeable to water as much as possible so that any spillage will not affect its performance.

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Design Inspiration
For aesthetic, functional and marketing purposes it was decided to look at automobile interior design styles as an influence to help create the design solution. This type of inspiration is a good source as functionally car interiors must provide a number of features for the passengers with relative ease of use and without causing distractions to the driver. Many of the features are also very similar to those that were looking to be integrated into the solution such as speakers, lighting, mobile phone synchronisation, cup holders and dashboards showing specific information. This type of interior design usually involves modern fashions and trends that are integrated using the latest technology; therefore by following this, the solution would be set on a good course into the technologically advanced market. This styling as a marketing tool can be very affective as the target market is likely to also own the types of car with this style interior. They can then associate there similarly styled products together. This association can create the impression that the solution is also a quality designed stylish and functional product much like the car. Below are some examples of the type of futuristic interior styling that had been used as inspiration to move forward into designing the initial ideas for the solution.

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Workstation Design
As mentioned earlier in the research phase, the greatest influence on generating the design for the workstation in this case is its ergonomics. Therefore, anthropometric data has been used to create a layout plan for the workstation. The workspace plan incorporates the following guidelines as mentioned in Design Process: Working Area Main Applications (Laptop/iPad/Keyboard/Note-Taking/Phone) Area of Convenient Reach Other Applications (Lighting/Speakers/Cup Holder/Screen) Non-Working Space Too close to the abdomen for ergonomically sound working. Workstation Dimensions Must fold to within specific storage size.

It was important to determine the depths of both the main working area and the area of convenient reach. This information was obtained from anthropometric books about workplace design and was important to determine where frequent use features will go and where less frequent features will go.. Some of the main anthropometric values obtained were: Maximum Working Reach 440mm Maximum area of Convenient Reach 720mm

Each of these was planned out using two radii of the distance specified above, with one placed at each shoulder. To do this the maximum shoulder width had to be found to find the circle origin. This maximum shoulder width was stated as 430mm and is set back at 110mm from the table, at the centre line of the body. Figure shows the plan of the ergonomic working layout which was later used to create the size and shape of the solution. It was also imperative that the keyboard angle be at an angle of 15 degrees and a distance of 100mm from the surface edge for sound ergonomic usability.

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Figure 10 - Ergonomic Layout Plan

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Initial Ideas
The beginning of the concept generation stage involved sketching possible ideas for both the VDRS and general aesthetic appearance and shape of the workstation. These simple ideas in their infancy were then evaluated according to their practicality, their ability to integrate the solution features, their ability to be folded and transported and any general feedback from peers and potential customers.
VDRS & Workstation Design

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Evaluation of Initial Ideas

It was decided to progress forward by developing the Folding Winged Design as it could incorporate the VDRS, could implement all the technology features, but most importantly it was a good starting design to be folded into the required 500mm x 340mm x 100mm dimensions. This idea progressed into two comparable but differing concepts for development. One incorporated the VDRS into wings which fold out, whilst the other was based on the actual case folding out to become the VDRS. Both are highlighted and analysed later in the Development Section. However, before this was done it was important to do some testing on a working environment model to determine the specifically desired layout of features and functions in the design.

Development
A working environment model which explored the confines and constraints of the possible layout was created to test how ergonomically sound the setup was and where the features should be situated to maximise their potential to aid productivity. Further images of the process of creating this model can be seen in Appendix L.

Figure 11 - Working Area Dimensioning

Initially the working area dimensions as mentioned in Workstation Design were configured onto a larger editable work surface. This then allowed for the creation of the working model to fit within this environment and adhere to all the required parameters.

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Figure 12 - Designing to fit devices

This model allowed for testing that the design would fit the specified devices which will be used on it. The model had to provide a stable solid platform for Laptops up to 15 and also a mounting stand to accommodate the iPad 2 for use of either one or the other in the system. Other device features could be implemented at this stage such as the Inductive Charging Tray and drinks holder. Another advantage of creating the working model allowed me to test whether the workstation could fold to within the specified dimensions and to see how it fit into its stored environment.

Figure 13 - Folded Workstation in Environment

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Winged Design

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Centre-folding Case Design

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Final Concept Design

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VDRS (Visual Distraction Reduction Screen)

The final design for the VDRS has it integrated into the wings of the workstation. The screen is made from Spandex, known as Lycra in the UK and was conceived through research into a similar concept on Maxi-Cosi Car Seats. The car seats come with a Lycra Cabriofix Sun shade which is stored away but expands out into shape over the seat to provide a screen from the sun. The lycra is used in this application as it can be stored in a small space, but expanded to cover a large surface area. With space a premium when designing the workstation, this concept was also an excellent feature of this solution.

Figure 14 - Maxi Cosi Cabriofix Sun Shade (Ebay, 2011)

Laptop/iPad/Keyboard Integration

Figure 15 - iPad, Laptop & Keyboard Integratiion

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Figure 15 shows how a laptop or iPad will be used within the system. The folding iPad stand allows the iPad to fit snugly into the station at the correct working distance for both the eye and for tough operation. If a laptop is used it is placed on the 15 degree angled platform. This platform has a Rubber surface to create friction and prevent the laptop from sliding during its use. If a keyboard is desired for use with the iPad, a Tray Groove has been integrated to fit the Apple Wireless keyboard in.
Mobile Phone Integration

Figure 16 - Inductive Charging Pad

Mobile phone integration has been established in the system by implementing an inductive charging tray. This tray allows for easy charging of any mobile device with inductive charging capabilities and is located on the left hand side to be used whilst still being able to work fully on the iPad/Laptop with the right hand. The location of the tray also allows for use of the loud speaker on the device to aid multi-tasking by making a call and working at the same time.
HyperSonic Speakers

Figure 17 - HyperSonic Sound Speakers

Two HyperSonic Sound speakers have been designed into the workstation to allow for MP3 player connection to play back music. The implementation of music into the system is
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important as many people wish to listen to music or ambient sounds to help them focus, whilst the HyperSonic Technology prevents the sound from distracting others in the environment. One speaker is placed on each wing and is angled towards the ears on a 45 degree tilt.
Lighting

Figure 18 - Lighting the Workstation

LED strip lighting system has been integrated into the wings to shine up onto the white VDRS. This lighting can be customised into a number of different colours and is positioned to be reflected all around the system creating a relaxing ambient coloured working environment. Figure shows how the system would be lit in the Sky Blue lighting setting. One added function of the light being integrated is that it creates a perception in the others that when on, the user is in a working mode and should not be disturbed.
Cup Holder

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Figure 19 - Cup Holder

Although it may seem a gimmicky feature on first viewing the integrated cup holder is actually an important feature in the design. The visual placement of the holder creates in the user a belief that they should be using it because it is there. It is hoped that this would encourage more Teleworkers to improve their fluid intake to stay hydrated, which in turn boost energy levels and productivity. Many Teleworkers already consume Coffee and Tea frequently and end up spilling it on their work as the cup is not fixed in place and is randomly placed in the workspace. The integrated cup holder will create a stable enclosure for the cup and places it on the opposite side to the Mobile Phone so they can be used simultaneously.
Portability & Storage

The above renders show the workstations ability to fold into a small storage space of dimensions, 500mm x 340mm x 100mm. This allows the system to be stored in many unused spaces in the home such as under a bed, in a wardrobe or between cabinets. It also shows how

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the workstation must be carried when transporting it between working locations by using the specifically integrated carry handle.

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CAD Visualisation
Appendix K shows a number of screen prints of the modelling process and how certain features of the design were achieved through CAD modelling. The CAD modelling software used was Autodesk Alias Automotive as some of the complex surface curvatures desired could be created using this software package.
Final CAD Render

Production
Manufacturing Process

It was decided that it was more important to specify the Manufacturing Process before determining what material the main casing is made from. This is because it was important the process could create the complex shape which the solution has. It was also important that the surface finish was of high quality for this type of product. Initially, Rotational Moulding was considered as it can create the complex surface shape of the solution for a reasonably affordable tooling cost. However, the production time using this method is a lot longer and to cater for the needs of the market the units would need to be manufactured at a much quicker rate. Also, the surface finish from Rotational Moulding would not be of the desired high quality that would be expected of the product.
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Although it is very easy to just choose Injection Moulding as the manufacture process because of its capabilities it is not always the best option. However, in this case Injection Moulding would actually be the best process as it can create the product quickly, to a high quality surface tolerance finish and the batch size is of sufficient quantity (1st Batch = 1,000 units) that the expensive tooling cost could be afforded due to the higher volume of units.
Material Selection

Once this process was determined it was then important to specify some of the material properties required for the casing. It needed to be lightweight to be easy to carry, ductile as it would be no use if it fractured easily on impact and be mouldable into the desired complex shape. These properties were populated into CES Materials Selector 2010 to determine the best material for use in this application. Only materials that can be Injection Moulded were chosen at this stage as that has been specified as the desired manufacturing process.
2500

PVC (rigid, high impact, molding and extrusion)

2000

1500

Density (kg/m^3)

1000

PP (homopolymer, high flow)

PET (unfilled, amorphous)

500

ABS (medium-impact, injection molding)

0.5

Young's modulus (GPa)

Figure 20 - CES Material Selection

Figure 20 shows the materials remaining after setting property limits. These remaining materials are compared in the graph by Density with regards to Youngs Modulus. The remaining materials ABS, PET, PP and PVC were then analysed individually to determine the most suitable. As the ABS grade medium-impact (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is used for similar applications such as automotive instrument panels and interior components, housing for small appliances and luggage shells, as well as it being able to be Injection Moulded and a number of its properties fit the requirements of the product it was chosen as the material to be used as the casing component of the workstation. The other materials used
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as mentioned previously in the report are Rubber for the laptop platform and Lycra for the VDRS.

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Discussion
Report Discussion
Design Process

The Design Process was the phase of the project where the problem was assessed and the root causes were found. These causes then allowed for research to be carried out as to why they happen and different ways of solving them. The biggest influence in productivity was found to be the distractions presented to a Teleworker when working at home. These distractions were created due to the freedoms existing in comparison to the regimentation of supervised office-based work. Therefore the conclusion to the research and the brief for the solution was to create a distraction free environment for home working by making the home office as close a replication as possible to the office environment. Initial research into Teleworking as a subject and the habits of the workers allowed me to identify with them and to see a clear picture from their point of view. This was strengthened further through a questionnaire to gain specific feedback on the common issues. As this topic is quite subjective it may be viable in further study to conduct more Primary Research by visually accounting the days of different Teleworkers and their patterns within the day. This could give a better understanding of whether the issues they believe to be the biggest influence actually have the biggest influence on their productivity. Further ways of improving the Design Process could have been to gather more information of ways to solve the highlighted issues. Many of the methods that were implemented were taken from existing theories of colour perception, sound relaxation, visual influence and the recommended ergonomic layout of the workspace. However, the further research could have included conducting trials with participating Teleworkers to actually determine which methods specifically aid productivity. At this stage the research had determined that the solution should be a workstation that increased productivity of the worker at home by removing distractions and improving functionality by replicating the work office as closely as possible. Overall, this Brief was viable in that it had sufficient evidence to support the need for its production.

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Design Implementation

The Design Implementation section required taking the Brief (Summary of Research) and generating a Specification that created a specific list of requirements for the solution to adhere to. The evidence from the research suggested there were problems present in the way Teleworkers work, but the problem here was that there was no real indication of which ones would affect productivity. The solution had to take the route of implementing features to remove distractions that the worker felt most detrimental. The use of modern and stylish car interior design as Design Inspiration was a good choice as it fit well with a similar Target Market as it was expected these products would have similar customers. Also, the functionality of Car Interiors allowed me to include features into the workstation in a way which replicated a car, by being very easy to use and access so as not to detract attention from the task in-hand, completing work. This inspiration also provided a route to finding what materials could be used and how the concept could be manufactured in a similar style, and to produce the high quality finish of a car interior panel. Initial sketching began by looking at simple shapes and possible folding mechanisms for the workstation. It was not deemed important to try and implement the features at this stage as this could have hindered originality and creativity to create an aesthetically eye-catching product. It was decided that the functional features could be integrated once the final shape and folding design had been created. Although there were a few alternative design ideas for the shape and folding, the chosen final concept was one which had been established as the likely choice from the beginning. This is because it looked aesthetically pleasing following the similar contour design of car interiors, whilst being ergonomically easy to fold. It would have been more beneficial to spend a greater amount of time sketching alternatives to determine more possible concepts and methods of folding the workstation. Unfortunately, the acceptance and preference towards the one specific design did not allow others to flourish and they were quickly disregarded. As there was insufficient time within the project time-frame to do so, it is recommended that testing of the final product prototype is done to establish which features actually work in reducing distractions and aiding productivity. Any that have no affect can be assessed as to whether they are to be discarded and also whether there are any important features that had been missed and should be implemented in the next development of the concept.

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The decision to create a working environment replica was essential and proved to be a very important step in the process of achieving the solution. The creation of the working environment model meant that many of the Design Requirements could be implemented to create a workstation in the exact desired shape to be ergonomically sound. Many of the dimensions were created using this model to ensure the solution fit in the working space, folded into the desired dimensions and had the functional features laid out in their most efficient positions. To establish the final design the implementation section moved quickly onto CAD representation of the final solution as it was believed the capabilities of the Autodesk Alias Automotive could create the type of surface curvature desired for the workstation. Up until this stage the dimensioning and layout were decided but the actual detailed shape of the solution was still unclear. It was hoped that CAD representation could help with this problem and bring the concept to life. It was felt that this was done so very well and there was now a clear visualisation of how the solution would work and look. Unfortunately this method meant there was little development of the shape once in the CAD modelling process and there was no room for consideration of any design alternatives at this stage.

Project
The project shows that there is a sound understanding and awareness of the issues related to the subject and how they could be solved. It is felt that the Final Visual Representation does well to address most of these issues which should lead to the conclusion that the project went well and was successful. However, it is believed that more time should have been spent on testing solutions to distractions and also creation of more design alternatives. This is because the Teleworking subject has huge grounds for further investigation, testing and analysis and it is felt that more depth may have been needed. This has meant that some features that could be beneficial have been missed. This was not due to an insufficient project time frame but more due to poor project management in the middle of the project. To summarise, the project began with clear direction and sufficient problems with evidence. It was then that the project lost its direction a little when trying to create a solution because the scope for solutions to issues was so vast. Due to this it was felt that when a specific route was chosen, a final design was possibly settled upon too quickly. However, it is felt that the project was finished well with a good final outcome represented through the CAD model.

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Recommendations
As mentioned in the previous section, there are a number of possible alternatives that have been omitted in the final solution and it is recommended that with further Consumer Field Testing that some or all could be implemented in a further development of the solution in the future. The following are some recommendations for further development.
Workstation Colour

As the product is colour customised by the lighting within the system it was decided that a neutral Black and White scheme would be used much like the car interiors, and the lighting would actually colour the workstation in the desired way. However, the availability of the product in alternative colours could appeal to a younger generation of desk-based workers such as students who also suffer with distraction issues similar to those of Teleworkers, or to many who just desire it in a specific colour of their choice. The following renders show the workstation in possible alternative colours. The idea is that then concept keeps the polished white plastic look but the colour of the rubber platform is customisable.

Inductive Charging for Laptop and iPad

Further research has shown that manufacturers of Tablets and Laptops are also considering the possibility of charging there devices through the inductive charging method. It expected by many that the advancements in this technology to reduce the loss of electrical energy transfer will make this the preferred chose for charging all mobile devices.
Use of Other Tablets

At present it was not deemed viable to create the solution for all types of tablet as the tablet market is only in its infancy and the outstanding market leader is the iPad. However, if the trends are expected to grow rapidly as they are then the Tablet market is set to take off making it a viable option at that stage to design for other Tablets as well as the iPad.
Alarming/Scheduling System

Although it was considered in the project, the use of an alarming system to keep track of working hours and eating patterns was not implemented as it was felt this type of feature
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would not be viable on the first version of the product. Further advanced research into working, eating and sleeping physiology relating to work could be conducted to give sustenance to a system to aid with reducing this issue.

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Conclusion
The initial proposal of the project at the outset was to investigate possible ways of improving the efficiency of Teleworking to increase productivity. Through thorough and in-depth research including numerous methods such as Books Journals, Articles, a Questionnaire, Visual Observation a clear set of problems were found that impair the productivity of Teleworkers. At this stage the project had to identify a route in which it would try to create a solution to improve the efficiency of Telelworking in a particular scenario. The scenarios looked at were; Teleworking on the move, Hotdesking for Teleworkers in the work place and Teleworkers in their home environment. The chosen route was to provide a solution for Teleorkers in the home environment. This was chosen as much of the initial research highlighted the issue of numerous distractions when working in this environment. Further research was then conducted to find existing ways in other applications of dealing with the arising types of problem that are common in the home environment. These methods could then be transferred and integrated into the final solution. It was decided next that the solution would be some sort of workstation which could be used on a variety of different surfaces in the home as a personal home office attempting to replicate that of one in a general office based environment. The system would look to incorporate design features and modern electrical technology applications to reduce distractions and aid productivity of the Teleworker, specifically in the home environment. The Final Solution has been fairly successful in actually solving the original Objective of the proposal in that it does improve the efficiency of a Teleworker, specifically for one working environment. The specific aims in the Accumulated Brief were: 1. Removing Distractions - This has been achieved with the implementation of: a. The Visual Distraction Reduction Screen to deter others from interacting and to cover any visual distractions in the field of vision. b. Ambient customisable lighting to suit the working mood of the Teleworker. 2. Improving comfort and health This has been achieved by: a. A sound ergonomic layout for ease and speed of completing common Teleworking function such as using a Laptop/Tablet/Mobile Phone.

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b. A drinks holder to encourage good hydration levels, which in turn boosts energy levels for increase productivity and general health. 3. Implementing the Latest Technology to aid efficient working Achieved by integrating: a. An Inductive Charging pad to charge Mobile Phones without any cable connections. b. The use of either and iPad of any Laptop when using the workstation. c. HyperSonic Sound Speakers to provide directional sound output meaning only the user of the workstation can hear it.

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Bibliography
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Johnson, N. J. (2001). Telecommuting and Virtual Offices. London: Idea Group Publishing. Jones, M. (2008, March 19). RAE Statement of Ethical Principles. Retrieved Jan 6, 2011, from The IET: http://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.theiet.org%2Fabout%2Fgovernance%2Fraestatementv2.cfm%3Ftype %3Dpdf&rct=j&q=ethical%20principles %20iet&ei=qO4lTeSgCpODhQeAlJyyAg&usg=AFQjCNEZuUOXlYMjcwxZpIKDDsO_UPf6A Markham, B. (2008). Right Kind of Quiet. Princeton: Princeton University. McGillivary, P. (2006, September). HyperSonic Directional speaker. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from gopaultech: http://gopaultech.com/blog/2006/08/hypersonic-hss-directional-speaker/ McKeown, C. (2008). Office Ergonomics. London: CRC. Mclean, P. (2008, April 08). Wireless Power. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from Apple Insider: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/08/wireless_power_charging_technolo gy_may_unplug_apples_iphone.html Office for National Statistics. (2007). UK Labour Force Survey. London: ONS. Sanghera, S. (2007). Remote Working. Times Online , p. Online Version. Staffordshire University Academic Ethics. (2006, June 27). Retrieved January 6, 2011, from Staffordshire University: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/students_flowchart_tcm44-31146.pdf Targus - Ergo D-Pro Laptop Stand. (2010). Retrieved January 6, 2011, from Targus: http://www.targus.com/uk/product_details.asp?sku=AWE05EU Weal, L. (2010, July 5). Disadvantages of Telework. Retrieved Jan 7, 2011, from eHow: http://www.ehow.com/list_6700504_disadvantages-telework.html

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Appendices

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Appendix A
S Specific Is the objective specific in that it has a clear outcome and is not too broad a scope for work? M Measureable Can the achievement of the objective be measured? A Achievable Is the objective realistically achievable with the available knowledge and resources? R Realistic Is the objective realistic within the constrained time-frame? T Time-Specific Is the objective achievable within a specific time frame?

Appendix B
1. Concept Stage The choice of the final concept was determined using a SWOT Analysis Screening & Filtering Process. The final Concept for the project was therefore set as, An Investigation into the efficiency of Telecommuting, and the subsequent development of a Product or System to improve the efficiency involved in this type of work. 2. Research Stage The main objectives for the research were determined in order to find a solution to the original concept/problem. 3. Brief & Specification A Brief must be formulated to determine the chosen route to be taken in order to solve the initial problem, the objective for the project. Within this, Specification Parameters are set as constraints that the design must adhere to in order to satisfy the needs of the Brief. 4. Design Stage The stage of the project where the brief and specification are implemented into a wide variety of possible design solutions. The objective here is to produce solutions that can be evaluated against the Brief Criteria including performance, aesthetics, viability, costing, manufacture processes, ergonomics, ease of use etc. 5. Development Stage The next objective is then to develop a number of specifically chosen solutions that may then be combined to produce a final, most suitable solution. The solutions that are chosen go through a strict selection process which includes a scoring system to determine the best possible designs. 6. Prototyping Once a final solution has been determined, this design must then be prototyped; firstly, for assessment by the designer who will determine whether it satisfies their design criteria, then secondly, for assessment by potential users in the specific user environment. This is commonly referred to as product testing. 7. CAD Modelling This objective is specific to the type of design project. It may be used as a tool to provide a construction tool path for manufacturing a prototype such as Rapid Prototyping or CNC Machining. It may also be used as a way of presenting the design visually to the designer, client, consumer or manufacturer in a number of alternative materials and environments. For this project specifically, it is expected that CAD Modelling will be used mainly for product visualisation purposes to aid design analysis and product marketing/promotion. 8. Operation Stage The final objective of the project is one of the most important and is the actual implementation of the product or system into the market place, fulfilling the initial purpose for its creation and thus solving the initial problem.

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Appendix C
Project Gantt Chart

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Appendix D
Aidata LAPstation LD005 Multi-Function Laptop Stand Adjustable Typing and Viewing Angles Interior Cooling Fan Built-in mouse tray Cable Management Carry Handle Lap Cushion Attachment

USD 68.99 (www.amazon.com) () Aidata Phone Station MS312 Phone Station Phone Platform Stationary Compartments Document Drawer

RM 70 (eqv. GBP 15 www.mudah.my) ()

Posturite Ergo Top

Ergonomic Document Holding Laptop Stand Adjustable Typing and Viewing Angles Document Holder

GBP 69.14 ()

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Targus Ergo D-Pro

Ergonomic Document Holding Laptop Stand Adjustable Typing and Viewing Angles Document Holder Mobile Docking Station Notebook Cooling Fan

GBP 65.10 (www.amazon.co.uk ()

Appendix E
5 main steps of Risk Assessment: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Realise the Hazards involved Determine how participants could be harmed Evaluate the risks and take any necessary measures to prevent Implement any steps from the assessment findings Evaluate the whole assessment and determine any ways it can be improved

Appendix F
Ethical Argument On studying the University Regulations it became evident that the required form would be the FastTrack Approval Form as the Project involves the following tasks: Using a Questionnaire Participation of Other People Taking Photographs of Other People Collection of Data Related to People Behaviour

In order for Ethical Approval via Fast-Track form it was also necessary to ensure: Participants are aware and consent to being asked questions, being studied or carrying out tasks. Participation in any tasks or questionnaires would be voluntary with the opportunity to opt out at any point. Participants information would be fully confidential. Participants could be informed of the purpose and outcomes of the study.

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Appendix G
Student Ethical Form Flowchart

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Appendix H
Ethical Approval Form

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Appendix I
Teleworking Questionnaire
(Please Circle your selected answer) 1. Days spent working from home a week. a. 1-2 b. 3-4 c. 5 Where do you work at home? a. Office Desk b. Bedroom c. Living Room d. Dining Room Type of Computer used. a. PC b. Laptop c. Tablet d. None Type of Telephone used. a. Landline b. Mobile c. Skype d. None How would you rate your eating pattern? a. Excellent b. Good c. Average d. Poor How frequently do you let your family interact with you? a. Always b. Often c. Rarely d. Never How frequently do you interact with your family? a. Always b. Often c. Rarely d. Never Do you usually stick to a set working schedule? a. Always b. Often c. Rarely d. Never How would you rate the layout of your workspace? a. Excellent b. Good c. Average d. Poor How would you rate your general working posture? a. Excellent b. Good c. Average d. Poor Of the following options please select the two biggest distractions affecting working productivity. a. Procrastination b. Family/Friend Interaction c. Eating Pattern d. Discomfort e. Workspace Organisation

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Appendix J
Other Questionnaire Graphs

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Appendix K
Alias Modelling Images

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Appendix L

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