{"id":10846,"date":"2021-02-05T22:02:15","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T22:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-alliance-virtual-office-blog.pantheonsite.io\/?p=10846"},"modified":"2026-04-14T12:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:54:16","slug":"understanding-virtual-offices-and-putting-a-stop-to-shills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/understanding-virtual-offices-and-putting-a-stop-to-shills\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Virtual Offices and Putting a Stop to Shills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"#what-is-virtual-office\" title=\"\">What is a Virtual Offi<\/a><a href=\"#1\">ce?<\/a> <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> <strong><a href=\"#deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-vo\" title=\"\">Deep Dive Into The History of the Virtual Office<\/a> <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#why-people-are-confused-about-vo\" title=\"\"><strong>Why People Are Confused About Virtual Offices<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#interesting-activity-on-wikipedia-vo-over-years\" title=\"\">Interesting activity on Wikipedia\u2019s \u201cvirtual office\u201d entry over the years<\/a> <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading xtarget\" id=\"what-is-virtual-office\">1. What is a Virtual Office?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A virtual office is any combination of people, place, technology and process that enable individuals and entities to work more efficiently, whether remotely or in a non-centralized office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within this definition, the service infrastructure is often paid on an as-needed or recurring basis, as opposed to capital expenses associated with typical office infrastructures.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual offices afford users the ability to add and subtract services, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00e0 la carte<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This includes everything from a business mailing address to a VoIP phone system accessible by a smartphone app to a front desk receptionist. Operating as a collection of on-demand resources, a virtual office is as permanent or fluid as required by its user.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anatomy of a Virtual Office<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A major component of a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\">virtual office<\/a> is its flexibility in allowing users to rent only the services they need. Virtual office infrastructure is shared across individuals and entities allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently. A virtual office is not limited to, but can include any combination of the services listed below:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td>\n<h4>Physical Locations and Services:<\/h4>\n<\/td><td>\n<h4>Digital or Virtual Services:<\/h4>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>A business address<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>An online phone system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Place to receive, pick up and\/or forward mail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>A phone number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Conference rooms to host in-person meetings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>A live receptionist or virtual assistant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Hot desks or private offices for as-needed use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Instant Message \/ Chat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Copy and Faxing services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Video Chat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Receptionist to answer the phone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Web RTC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li>A place to store electronic files<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Online storage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Various cloud internet services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual Office as a term is broad. It has many characteristics and no single qualifier. It describes a style of working which encompasses a range of services and this sometimes creates confusion. While the definition above focuses on address and phone number side of virtual offices, part of your virtual office can be the Slack channel you and your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.achievers.com\/blog\/top-5-benefits-of-hiring-remote-employees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">team of remote workers<\/a> use to collaborate, alongside the Google suite that helps you create, edit, and share files. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading xtarget\" id=\"deep-dive-into-the-history-of-the-vo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. A Deep Dive Into The History of the Virtual Office<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term \u201cvirtual office\u201d first appeared in our lexicon in the early 1980s. Let\u2019s look at why.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the late 1800s, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/node\/103256\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> world saw an amazing proliferation of globalization, enabled by reduced tariffs and new technology (ships and trains) that allowed efficient transport of goods<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> globally<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. According to The Economist, this stopped during WWI and did not really return until the 1980s as countries liberalized their trade policies, and as communications technology (in the form of computing rather than shipping) advanced further into businesses and homes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s when a couple of writers,first <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=KTAEAAAAMBAJ&amp;pg=PA32&amp;lpg=PA32&amp;dq=John+Markoff+%22virtual+office%22+1982&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=VwgfTjDPdg&amp;sig=9oAN6aK8j1oJqhWhHm87DuAmBGs&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi65ouS0f_KAhWD6iYKHZKEA0oQ6AEIHjAB#v=onepage&amp;q=John%20Markoff%20%22virtual%20office%22%201982&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">John Markoff in 1982<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and (independently <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chriskern.net\/history\/myWord.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without the knowledge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of John Markoff\u2019s writing) Chris Kern in 1983 began to describe the phenomenon very well. Chris\u2019s definition of \u201cVirtual Office\u201d in American Airline\u2019s in-flight magazine was:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The virtual office is a set of capabilities at remote site that are indistinguishable from those available at a real, physical office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, back to the globalization trends of the 1980s.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to these advancements in communications, there are very few isolationist countries any more. Much of the globe is participating. This also makes it easier for workers to be mobile, although The Economist article points out that workers are still staying in their home countries more than expected due to certain barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only does communication continue to get easier, but the costs of communicating are approaching zero, which enables individuals and entities to reorganize the way they work globally. Also, computing\/communication devices are constantly getting smaller and more powerful. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all of this change and advancement as a background, consider key moments that have enabled \u201cVirtual Office Infrastructure\u201d to exist:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paul Fegen started the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fegen.com\/lawsuites.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> first large chain of serviced office <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">centers;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VoIP technology was created by Alon Cohen (of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phone.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> phone.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) in 1989;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arpanet established the technology which was the underpinning of the internet in 1969. And <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tim_Berners-Lee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tim Berners-Lee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the 1960s,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.callcentrehelper.com\/the-history-of-the-call-centre-15085.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Private Automated Business Exchanges (PABX) began to be used to centralize call functions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These later became known as \u201ccall centers\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notice how understanding such historical milestones enables us to arrive at the definition of \u201cvirtual office\u201d that we proffered earlier:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People: Again in the form of Paul Fegen\u2019s shared resources, including call center receptionists, maintenance and other staff.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place: Paul Fegen\u2019s shared offices.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technology: Tim Berners-Lee\u2019s protocol, Arpanets packets and Alon Cohen\u2019s audio transceiver. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly these concepts have evolved drastically and are applied in many different ways, backed by heaps of interesting and innovative processes \u2014 all of which goes together to make what we know as the modern virtual office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"su-note text_size=&#039;400&#039;\"  style=\"border-color:#dadada;border-radius:15px;-moz-border-radius:15px;-webkit-border-radius:15px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f4f4f4;border-color:#ffffff;color:#3c3c3c;border-radius:15px;-moz-border-radius:15px;-webkit-border-radius:15px;\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-diego-virtual-office\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AVO-Internal-Linking-Images-8.png\" alt=\"Virtual Office in San Diego, CA\" class=\"wp-image-6658\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/div><\/div> <div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-diego-virtual-office\"><span style=\"color: #008080;\">Virtual Office San Diego<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Starting at&nbsp;<span style=\"color: #008080;\"><span class=\"big_priceRN2\"><strong>$55<\/strong><\/span><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"big_mRN2\"><strong>\/mo<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-diego-virtual-office\">(view all)<\/a><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/el-camino-real-virtual-office-153\">Torrey Reserve North Court<\/a>&nbsp;\u25cf&nbsp;<a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/hazard-center-drive-virtual-office-154\">Mission Valley Hazard Center&nbsp;<\/a>\u25cf&nbsp;<a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/rio-san-diego-drive-virtual-office-156\">Mission Valley Business Center<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/seattle-virtual-office\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AVO-Internal-Linking-Images-9.png\" alt=\"Virtual Office in Seattle, WA\" class=\"wp-image-6659\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><br><br><\/div><\/div> <div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/seattle-virtual-office\"><span style=\"color: #008080;\">Virtual Office Seattle<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Starting at&nbsp;<span style=\"color: #008080;\"><strong><span class=\"big_priceRN2\">$59.99<\/span>&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"big_mRN2\"><strong>\/mo<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/seattle-virtual-office\">(view all)<\/a><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/th-ave-virtual-office-1003\">Safeco Plaza Building<\/a> \u25cf&nbsp;<a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/seventh-avenue-virtual-office-2735\">Downtown Seattle<\/a> \u25cf&nbsp;<a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/seattle-virtual-office-5124\">California Avenue Office Center<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-francisco-virtual-office\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/AVO-Internal-Linking-Images-10.png\" alt=\"Virtual Office in San Jose, CA\" class=\"wp-image-6660\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"><br><br><\/div><\/div> <div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n\n\n\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-jose-virtual-office\"><span style=\"color: #008080;\">Virtual Office San Jose<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Starting at&nbsp;<span style=\"color: #008080;\"><strong><span class=\"big_priceRN2\">$69<\/span>&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"big_mRN2\"><strong>\/mo<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/us\/san-jose-virtual-office\">(view all)<\/a><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/n.-first-street-virtual-office-3421\">Silicon Valley Center<\/a>&nbsp;\u25cf&nbsp;<a style=\"color: #999999;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/US\/camden-ave.--virtual-office-3896\">Silicon Valley Business Center<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading xtarget\" id=\"why-people-are-confused-about-vo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Why Are People Confused About Virtual Offices?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a serious lack of understanding of \u201cvirtual office\u201d as a concept<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Defining each word &#8211; &nbsp;\u201cvirtual\u201d and \u201coffice\u201d &#8211; won\u2019t adequately define the term<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bad and Incomplete information is propagated by otherwise reputable sources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rise of coworking has overshadowed other aspects of virtual officing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flexible workplace industry, and its component offerings \u2014 like the virtual office \u2014 are often perceived by those in and around the industry to be misunderstood, overlooked or worse yet, completely unknown to those who might benefit from the industry\u2019s services. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the past ten years, a new movement &nbsp;\u2014 coworking \u2014 within the flexible workspace industry has arisen and surpassed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serviced offices<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual offices<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in terms of popularity and buzz, and perhaps in other ways too.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Could this be due to a lack of good, clear communication of what it is, and the broad based benefits associated with having a virtual office?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a look at top google results for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/what-is-a-virtual-office-definition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> definitions of \u201cvirtual office\u201d<\/a>. While a definition on Wikipedia or some other website will not make or break an industry, if all the definitions are poor, it reveals that the originating sources of communication (those in the industry) are perhaps poor as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dissecting the Term<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take our words \u201cvirtual\u201d and \u201coffice\u201d for example.\u201cVirtual\u201d is an adjective living a pretty static existence until the 20th century, when the advent of computers and software suddenly shaded the word with unpredictable implications and applications. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOffice,\u201d having more literal than metaphorical definitions, continued to live a static existence until computing technology conspired to combine the two into a single term whose meaning is more than the sum of its parts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like many compound terms, its meaning cannot be understood as simply a combining of the two traditional definitions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual Doesn\u2019t Always Mean Digital <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things are further complicated by the quaint trend of referring to anything Internet-related as \u201cvirtual,\u201d a somewhat short-lived trend whose ghost nevertheless haunts the term \u201cvirtual office,\u201d encouraging the simplistic notion that the term merely means \u201ca (metaphorical? digital?) office on the Internet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These simplistic notions have crept into the ongoing discussion and definition of the term.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/v\/virtual-office.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investopedia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> describes a \u201cvirtual office\u201d in such a way that it almost says nothing at all beyond an outdated, surface reading of the two terms separately: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A business location that exists only in cyberspace. A virtual office setup allows business owners and employees to work from any location by using technology such as laptop computers, cell phones and internet access. A virtual office can provide significant savings and flexibility compared to renting a traditional office space. Meetings can be conducted via teleconferencing and video conferencing, and documents can be transmitted electronically. Some companies even provide virtual office services to give virtual offices the prestige associated with physical offices, such as an important-sounding address, a professional phone-answering service and even occasional rental of office space and conference rooms.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>This explanation, as meaning-free as it mostly is, is more harmful than neutral<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as it just encourages an inaccurate understanding of a new thing that was born of two disparate concepts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, it is full of logical fallacies\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s Wrong with Investopedia\u2019s Definition?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, there are any number of businesses, including Alliance Virtual, that can provide an address to include as part of your virtual office \u2014 not merely a \u201ccyberspace\u201d location, but a physical location that you can put on your business card, and where you can pick up mail or to meet with a client.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Second, we arenot really sure how to argue for or against the idea of a \u201clocation\u201d being \u201ccyberspace\u201d and have decided against trying. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Not very helpful, to say the least.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, despite its growing reliability and accuracy, and despite its continuing reign as the most prevalent place to define terms, Wikipedia doesn\u2019t really do any better with its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two proffered definitions.<\/span> <del><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, one of the alleged definitions (the one for \u201cVirtual Office\u201d) is not so much a definition as a veiled advertisement by a company who created a cloud-based server product. We suggest this entry in Wikipedia to be removed altogether.<\/span><\/del><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Wikipedia recognized this entry was not useful and removed it altogether. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The entry for \u201cvirtual office\u201d (link to a snapshot from January 28, 201[6??] is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160128022504\/https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and I will link to the snapshot rather than the actual entry due to the fact it will change, hopefully for the better after people read this post) is a little better, but still very much focused on the narrow view of a single industry and therefore limited in scope.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Biggest Problem With The Wikipedia Entry<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A virtual office provides communication and address services without providing dedicated office space.<br><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Wikipedia.org<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a noble start to a definition, but like the other current web definitions of virtual office, it suffers from a significantly narrowed scope. Definitions like this are usually written by someone with special interests in a particular industry, or by someone unaware of the broader applications of the component parts of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-offices-locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the virtual office<\/a>, and how those aspects can enable people to work more efficiently. Also, it attempts to define the term by saying what it is not, which is always less than ideal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advertisers and Shills Hijack Entries<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We could continue to parse the Wikipedia entry and find multiple flaws in every sentence, unfortunately. Most of the problems come from sloppy thinking\/writing, but there is also evidence of obvious company shilling. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>This is sometimes a problem for Wikipedia, given its \u201canyone can contribute\u201d collaborative nature; \u201canyone\u201d unfortunately includes shills and advertising specialists.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, the entry contains information that has likely been planted, and which provides no real value to someone wanting to know what a virtual office is:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20160128022504\/https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1701\" height=\"152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shills-wikipedia.png\" alt=\"shills - wikipedia\" class=\"wp-image-4747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shills-wikipedia.png 1701w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shills-wikipedia-300x27.png 300w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shills-wikipedia-768x69.png 768w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shills-wikipedia-1024x92.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1701px) 100vw, 1701px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Some virtual office companies or telephone answering companies offer a franchise system, enabling entrepreneurs to enter the marketplace for a fraction of the usual set up costs and with the added bonus of leads being fed to them.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is likely a marketing ploy to allow someone who is doing research (perhaps someone who is thinking of starting virtual office service company) to know there are franchise opportunities available.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In total, there are about 80 inaccuracies, logical fallacies and thinly disguised ads in the entry<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking Down What A Virtual Office Is<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us not simply curse this darkness; let\u2019s light a candle. Since Wikis are collaborative, let\u2019s collaborate and see if we can improve upon the Wikipedia definition by developing a more genuine, transparent, balanced view of what a virtual office is:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A virtual office is any or all of a combination of people, place, technology and processes (the \u201cVirtual Office Infrastructure\u201d) which enable individuals and entities to work more efficiently, whether remote (at home, in Bora Bora) or in some non-centralized office . Usually, the infrastructure is paid on an as-needed and\/or recurring basis as opposed to capital expenses associated with typical office infrastructures.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This definition moves us closer to a useful, inclusive, and accurate definition. A definition that includes far more aspects that most would consider part of a virtual office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a revised definition is necessary because the virtual office infrastructure is shared across individuals and entities, allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no dedicated servers, or dedicated offices or dedicated receptionists, for example. All is shared in order to make more efficient use of the infrastructure. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In theory, there is unlimited capacity and inventory, yet there is little or no excess inventory or capacity. In practicality, of course, there are limits to capacity and inventory, and there are often predictable capital expenses on the part of the provider (but not the consumer) and overhead associated with increasing usage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comparison: Our Definition vs Wikipedia\u2019s<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is just one small, optional component, but it neatly illustrates why web definitions such as Wikipedia\u2019s need some work in order to truly reflect the phenomenon that is the virtual office. To further put things in perspective, let\u2019s lay out a list of services our definition of \u201cvirtual office\u201d allows for, and compare and contrast these items with the current Wikipedia definition:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td><b>Our Definition<\/b><\/td><td><b>Wikipedia Definition<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An address to put on a business card<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A place to receive, pick up and\/or forward mail<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A place to hold a meeting<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A place to work as needed<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A place to fax or make copies<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Someone to answer the phone<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A place to store electronic files<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An online phone system<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A phone number<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A way to bind presentations<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A virtual administrative assistant<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instant Message \/ Chat<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video Chat<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web RTC<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td><td><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Checkmark_green.svg-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"27\" height=\"27\"><\/figure><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4769 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Red_X.svg.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\"><\/figure><\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As this table clearly confirms, the Wikipedia definition needs a lot of work, much of which can be facilitated by a quick look into the history and evolution of the virtual office and its place in the larger global picture.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading xtarget\" id=\"interesting-activity-on-wikipedia-vo-over-years\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Interesting Activity on Wikipedia\u2019s \u201cvirtual office\u201d entry over the years<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This section is more of a sidebar to the foregoing information. Its intent is to help us learn from our past mistakes, and displays at worst our petulance or at best our unwillingness to recognize that many people have played many roles over decades to get us where we are today. There is no one person or moment that caused the transition to the amazingness that is the virtual office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the statements in the current version of the Wikipedia entry says:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first commercial application of a virtual office occurred in 1994, when Ralph Gregory founded \u201cThe Virtual Office, Inc\u201d &amp; later \u201cIntelligent Office\u201d, in Boulder, Colorado.[Citation is to an article in the Boulder Daily Camera, but cannot be found online] Since then &amp; over the years, the industry has grown further with industry leaders like Davinci Virtual, Regus &amp; Synergy [<\/span><b>Synergy??? What?? They shuttered their doors years ago.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">], among others, who now offer worldwide access to offices in almost every country in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you look at previous versions of this Wikipedia entry, you\u2019ll find a number of changes to it, with reference to Servcorp\u2019s Alf Moufarrige pioneering the virtual office concept, to Chris Kern coining the term (but not commercializing it). Check these out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20090122120927\/https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here from Wikipedia in 2009<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111002213729\/https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here from Wikipedia in 2011<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20120206152623\/https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Virtual_office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">back to here in 2012<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I also remember seeing Richard Nissen of The Virtual Office at being given a go at being the pioneer, but I had no luck finding it in the Wikipedia archives (more on this in a moment, as it looms large).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reality is that the product that constitutes a virtual office in the serviced office industry was verifiably around before 1994. Likely, Mr. Gregory is saying that he was the first to take the term \u201cvirtual office\u201d and apply it to a set of services others were selling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>It\u2019s impossible to objectivelygrant him that claim, however.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Search-for-a-trade-mark-Intellectual-Property-Office.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1055\" height=\"312\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/virtual-office-trademark.png\" alt=\"virtual office trademark\" class=\"wp-image-4750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/virtual-office-trademark.png 1055w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/virtual-office-trademark-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/virtual-office-trademark-768x227.png 768w, https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/virtual-office-trademark-1024x303.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1055px) 100vw, 1055px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was very simple to do some research on Mr. Nissen to see that he has stated that he had the forethought to trademark \u201cThe Virtual Office\u201d back in 1992\u2026 and lo and behold, a 30 second internet search lead us to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipo.gov.uk\/tmcase\/Results\/1\/UK00001496366\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t think we can grant Mr. Gregory the first commercial application of the product called a virtual office. It probably should to Mr. Nissen, unless someone has verifiable information otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>So, it is disingenuous as it is very misleading.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also ample proof of others in the serviced office industry selling what were commonly referred to as \u201cbusiness identity\u201d plans, often coupled with the nicely descriptive phrase \u201ceverything but the office.\u201d I consulted with Carrie Gates at Barrister Executive Suites whose predecessor company was Fegen\u2019s Law Suites. In the image below, you can see a contract written for a client from 1992 (which as a side note, is still a client 24 years later as of this writing) for a business identity plan. Also, check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barrister-suites.com\/2015\/04\/barrister-celebrates-a-quarter-century-of-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (scroll down).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U0KgaGXsBbs\" width=\"867\" height=\"650\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I don\u2019t discount Mr. Gregory\u2019s role in helping to popularize the virtual office. But there are those who have similarly, and likely some to a greater degree, contributed to the service offering. I would proffer that there are laureates, who are truly the founders of the virtual office. I\u2019m talking about Tim Berners-Lee, Alon Cohen, Paul Fegen, the inventor of the PABX or automated call center (whoever that may be), etc. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then there are the founders of the concept of communications and address services we have in our industry, originally called \u201cbusiness identity\u201d then \u201cvirtual offices\u201d: Richard Nissen, Ralph Gregory, Alf Moufarrige, Mark Dixon, Vince Otte, our own founder and CEO, Frank Cottle (perhaps I\u2019m biased but fewmany would argue the point that he pioneered the concept of virtual office wholesaling now leveraged in various flavors by Davinci Virtual, Cloud Virtual Offices, Allied Virtual, Opus Virtual Offices, and of course, Alliance Virtual). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some other quite significant late comers to the game, such as Bill Grodnik at Davinci Virtual, who has done a tremendous job growing a great company that was founded in 2006. This company was built on the initial foundation of Alliance member locations and Frank Cottle\u2019s concept of wholesaling. You can hear Mr. Grodnik talking about Alliance\u2019s contribution to his early development on &nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Eb_V2VCctDU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Youtube<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Eb_V2VCctDU\" width=\"867\" height=\"650\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Public Won\u2019t \u201cget it\u201d If We Can\u2019t Define What We Do<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like all worthwhile things, creating and maintaining a relevant, profitable business model requires attention to detail and precision. This is one of the reasons why so many people seek out the services of the virtual office in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So it only makes sense to be detailed and precise about how we define what it is we do \u2013 and more than at any time in history, we collectively hold the power to influence that definition in a very real way, and to ensure its accuracy and legitimacy. The days when dubious, vague definitions could permeate the culture and thrive unchecked are gone. Collaboration changed all that, much as it spawned the virtual office itself.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hope this sparks a meaningful discussion that helps us create a great new Wikipedia page for starters, one that mobilizes us to tell our story more clearly, articulately and coherently.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or, as Carrie Gates said, \u201cIf we as an industry cannot clearly define what\/who we are \u2013 how can we expect the general public to \u2018get it\u2019 and understand what we are?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exactly. We don\u2019t want people leaving our \u201celevator speech\u201d still wondering what we offer and how relevant and important it is. And we certainly don\u2019t want them stumbling over wildly inaccurate and\/or incomplete definitions on the Internet.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A virtual office is any combination of people, place, technology and process that enable individuals and entities to work more efficiently, whether remotely or in a non-centralized office. It can include&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"subtitle":"","format":"standard","video":"","gallery":"","source_name":"","source_url":"","via_name":"","via_url":"","override":[{"single_blog_custom":"","sidebar":"","second_sidebar":"","share_position":"","share_float_style":"","post_date_format":"","post_date_format_custom":"","post_reading_time_wpm":"","zoom_button_out_step":"1","zoom_button_in_step":"1","number_popup_post":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"","single_post_gallery_size":""}],"trending_post_position":"","trending_post_label":"","sponsored_post_label":"","sponsored_post_name":"","sponsored_post_url":"","sponsored_post_logo":"","sponsored_post_desc":""},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":""},"jnews_social_meta":{"fb_title":"","fb_description":"","fb_image":"","twitter_title":"","twitter_description":"","twitter_image":""},"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2001],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-virtual-offices"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",2042,500,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-300x73.png",300,73,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-768x188.png",768,188,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-1024x251.png",1024,251,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-1536x376.png",1536,376,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",2042,500,false],"web-stories-poster-portrait":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",640,157,false],"web-stories-publisher-logo":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",96,24,false],"web-stories-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",150,37,false],"jnews-360x180":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-360x180.png",360,180,true],"jnews-750x375":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-750x375.png",750,375,true],"jnews-1140x570":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-1140x500.png",1140,500,true],"jnews-120x86":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-120x86.png",120,86,true],"jnews-350x250":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-350x250.png",350,250,true],"jnews-750x536":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-750x500.png",750,500,true],"jnews-1140x815":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-1140x500.png",1140,500,true],"jnews-360x504":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-360x500.png",360,500,true],"jnews-75x75":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-75x75.png",75,75,true],"jnews-350x350":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition.png",350,86,false],"jnews-featured-750":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-750x184.png",750,184,true],"jnews-featured-1140":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-1140x279.png",1140,279,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>A virtual office is any combination of people, place, technology and process that enable individuals and entities to work more efficiently, whether remotely or in a non-centralized office. It can include&#8230;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/virtual-offices\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Virtual Offices<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Mike Sullivan","url":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/author\/admin\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Mike Sullivan","author_link":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/author\/admin\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AVO-Virtual-Office-An-Actual-Definition-300x73.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/virtual-offices\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Virtual Offices<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Virtual Offices<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 years ago","modified":"Updated 2 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on February 5, 2021","modified":"Updated on April 14, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on February 5, 2021 10:02 pm","modified":"Updated on April 14, 2026 12:54 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10846"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53647,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10846\/revisions\/53647"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}