Serviced and Virtual offices – Is this the way of the future?

Serviced offices have been around for many years. In the past, they usually offered a basic secretarial and reception service. In the last couple of years however, serviced offices have grown in popularity across CBD areas in cities across Australia. Now, the virtual office is also providing another, less expensive, option.

Serviced offices have come a long way over the last few years. They now offer access to the latest in office technology including broadband internet access, audio visual equipment and the latest in communications. Serviced offices can provide a prestigious location for you or your associates to meet with clients, no matter what city you are meeting them in. For example, if you are based in Sydney, you can meet a client in Melbourne at a meeting room or board room that you can book for anywhere from just a few hours to a week or more.

Serviced offices are available from around $200 per week. They are available for the short-term or long-term, and provide you with your required office space without the need for commercial leases. In fact, many businesses renting serviced offices use them for a period of up to 5 years. There are several major players in the serviced office market including international players Regis and Servcorp. There are also local companies offering service and virtual offices including Serviced Office Specialists and Corporate Executive Offices.

What amenities can serviced offices provide your business?
Serviced offices can provide a full range of amenities including:

• reception
• secretarial and typing services
• mail handling facilities
• phone and internet access
• courier service
• seminar facilities
• board room and meeting facilities.

Another advantage for those doing business with international clients is that some serviced office companies can provide you with a serviced office in other major cities around the world.

The virtual office
Virtual offices offer a CBD address and phone number without the expensive overheads of leasing a city office. These are especially popular for salespeople and others who spend much of their time out meeting clients but still require the prestige of the CBD address on their business cards and marketing material. Virtual offices are available from as little as $100 per month.