“When a company is successful they are less focused on their expenses,” said Ralph Gregory, founder of Intelligent Office. “They are more focused on revenue, but when revenue drops and they begin looking at expenses, looking for alternatives.”

One option is to eliminate the traditional office and have employees work from home. The idea is not new. It’s called a virtual office.

Intelligent Office is just that, a company that provides businesses a virtual office with all the amenities of a real office. Gregory said more businesses are moving in this direction because of the downturn in the economy in an attempt to keep their doors open.

“It made perfect financial sense for me,” said Hugh Liddle, of HML Training Systems.

Liddle only needs to be in the office a few times a month for seminars. Other than that, he works from home.

“A hotel or a conference center would cost me twice as much as the monthly fee here,” said Liddle. “And for that monthly fee Intelligent Office answers my phone while I am out of the office and provides a mailbox and mailing address for me.”

His phone calls come to a full-time receptionist trained in his business who works for the Intelligent Office. He or she sends Liddle calls and schedules appointments.

He gets everything you think of when you think of a standard office -- fax machines, conference rooms, staplers -- but for 10-15 percent the cost of that traditional office.

“It is an economic decision to use Intelligent Office,” said Gregory. “I can save money. How can I cut cost without compromising the quality of service to my customers or the professionalism of my business.”