Businesses might consider the advice of internet consultants as new technologies allow firms to cut costs by applying virtualisation to their practices, it has emerged.

Businesses can boost their growth by investing in internet-based applications which allow virtual and flexible working, it has been suggested.

Martha Young, writing in her blog at ITWorld, argued that virtualisation can help firms cut costs and boost their organisational efficiency in today's challenging economic climate.

Firms who invest in technologies such as a VoIP phone system can benefit from using their services virtually, over the internet, she suggested.

"By applying virtualisation in today's business environment against the business's bigger picture goals of moving toward an e-business model, the current environment will be rendered providential and opportunistic," Ms Young added.

Her comments come after a recent survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association which found firms who give their workers the option of telecommuting benefit from a 67 per cent rise in productivity and a 59 per cent decrease in costs.

Faster broadband speeds and high-quality video and online conferencing choices mean that virtual offices are now affordable for all business types, commented Todd Thibodeaux, president of the firm.

Some 62 per cent of firms opt for virtualisation for server consolidation purposes, according to recent research by Storage Expo.