New York City — As companies worldwide prepare for an H1N1 epidemic and other disasters, the demand for MailSurity Systems, Inc.’s digital-mail products and services is increasing. MailSurity, an innovative image-delivery software company, uses proprietary technology to convert physical mail and other documents into images viewable via a Web browser. Recent national disasters have called attention to telecommuting as government agencies mandate Continuity of Operations Programs (COOP) and national pandemic preparedness. In the event of a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or a viral epidemic like H1N1, organizations require the continuous flow of information. A critical component of such plans, MailSurity’s digital mail offering eliminates the need for mail centers that sort, route, and deliver paper mail, thereby creating a truly digital virtual-office environment.
 
“The prolonged interruption of mail and other critical documents can cripple an enterprise. The dollars lost from delayed decisions, inadequate communication, and loss of timely information can never be retrieved. We’ve seen a surge in demand for our technology, as more companies realize that they can reduce the impact of natural and man-made crises, which can surprise a company in our information-dependent world,” states William Contessa, president of MailSurity Systems. “Disaster mitigation is not the primary reason for implementing a digital-mail process, however. Increased productivity, reduced cost, searchable digital records, accessibility, and greater control of corporate information are all key to long-term enterprise success.”
 
“As business information systems evolve, corporate executives realize that a paradigm shift is occurring with paper mail delivery,” notes Bruce A. McFarlane, Sr., a trainer and expert in business continuity. “Paper mail is delivered to a physical location, whereas digital mail is available anywhere the addressee can access the Internet. Digital mail can be read in airports, taxicabs, field office locations, or at home. With digital mail delivery, telecommuting can become part of an employer’s H1N1 continuity planning.”
 
The federal government is leading the way in telecommuting and preparedness. In addition to mandating COOP and national pandemic preparedness, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced an aggressive commitment to increase the agency’s telecommuting participation. GSA plans to enable 50 percent of eligible agency employees to telecommute one or more days per week by 2010. In this rapidly growing telecommuting workforce, using digital mail ensures the continuous flow of information to an increasing number of remote workers.