The benefits of enabling staff to work from home have been praised by the chief executive of computer infrastructure solutions firm Sun Microsystems.

Jonathan Schwartz explained to the Times of India that being able to work from home makes his staff more productive and cuts out what can be lengthy commutes.

"One of the reasons why employees love working at Sun is because they have the option of working from home, and on flexible schedules," Mr Schwartz is quoted as saying.

He added that Sun Microsystems is now reaching a point at which old office bases can be closed down, because an entire localised workforce operates from home.

"People today like to work where they are and not drive long distances just to work together," he explained.

A report featured in Computerworld recently suggested that home-based workers will soon be able to use videoconferencing equipment to keep in touch with colleagues.