On-Demand Network Connection for Remote Workers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote workers face unnecessary costs and bandwidth waste due to the need for continuous network connections, and limited availability when they are not guaranteed, especially when trying to communicate with colleagues.
Innovation Solution
An on-demand network connection mechanism that establishes a connection only when needed, triggered by specific events such as urgent emails or phone calls, using instrumented company servers to notify remote users to connect via predetermined policies and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote worker maintains a permanent network connection to be available for communication, then availability to colleagues is improved, but network costs and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic connection establishment based on communication events rather than continuous connection. The remote worker's device connects to the network periodically when communication events occur (emails, instant messages, phone calls) and disconnects when no events are present, transforming the continuous connection model into an event-driven periodic connection model that reduces network costs while maintaining availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the remote worker's device to automatically establish and manage network connections based on incoming communication events without requiring manual intervention. The device monitors for communication events and autonomously connects to the network when needed, eliminating the need for continuous manual connection management while ensuring availability when colleagues attempt to contact the remote worker.
2Productivity
If a remote worker maintains a permanent network connection, then communication efficiency is improved, but bandwidth waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces continuous bandwidth consumption with periodic bandwidth usage triggered by communication events. The remote worker's device establishes network connections only when communication events occur (emails, instant messages, phone calls) and maintains connections only for the duration needed to handle these events, thereby eliminating bandwidth waste associated with continuous connections while preserving communication efficiency when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the network connection parameter from a static permanent state to a dynamic event-driven state. The connection status transitions between connected and disconnected based on the presence of communication events, optimizing bandwidth utilization by adjusting the connection parameter according to actual communication needs rather than maintaining a fixed connection state.
3Loss of energy
If a remote worker does not maintain a permanent network connection, then network costs are reduced, but availability and reliability of communication decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where incoming communication events trigger network connection establishment. When a colleague attempts to contact the remote worker via email, instant message, or phone call, the system detects this event and automatically establishes the necessary network connection, ensuring availability is maintained on-demand without requiring permanent connection and without incurring continuous network costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary communication event detection mechanism that bridges the gap between disconnected state and communication need. The intermediary monitors for incoming communications and triggers connection establishment when needed, allowing the remote worker to remain disconnected (reducing costs) while ensuring reliable connection establishment when colleagues attempt to contact them (maintaining availability).
Data Source
AI summary
An on-demand network connection for a remote user is provided. Responsive to a failure to receive an electronic communication via an established network connection, a remote user device receives a connection request that indicates that the on-demand network connection is to be established. Responsive to receiving the connection request, the on-demand network connection is established from the remote user device to a network. Then, the electronic communication is received on the remote user device via the on-demand network connection.