What is it?
According to Dictionary.com, telecommuting (or teleworking) is "working at home by using a computer terminal electronically linked to one's place of employment." Basically, instead of a employee traveling to an office to do computer work, the employer is able to log onto the company's special remote server. This allows employers with a more flexible schedule at home or travel. Telecommuting is most ideal for people who have physical limitations, such as a pregnancy or a broken limb, or for people who have to travel a lot as a part of their job.

IT Systems

• Client Server
• Server
  Machines that provide services (hence, "server") and data to other machines. In a telecommuting scenario, the server would be hosted by the employer's company, and provide all telecommuters with the tools and services they need to do their job from a non-office setting. It also can hold work done by the employees
  
• Client - requester and recipient of services and data from the server. This machine would belong to the employee. The employee would use this to gain special access to the company's server in order to actually do work for the company. After the client is done with it's work, it can submit it's data back to the server, for the company's use.
• The Internet
  The Internet is what is allowing you to view this web page right now. Imagine the client server system, but on a world wide scale. All computers in the world connected to a handful of servers. This is used to access many website, and for telecommuters, access the company's servers.
  
• Databases/Spread Sheets/Word Processing
  All of these are basic office software used in the office that the "teleworker" will need to possess in order to do the same tasks they would at the office. These applications are responsible for producing numbers of reports, memos, and other important documents, as well as processing business specific things such as client and supply information.

Advantages/Disadvantages

• Advantages
• Morning Routine/Commute
  Working without telecommuting generally means hitting the snooze button a few times at 6:00 am, getting ready in your work clothes, and then sitting in traffic. But with telecommuting, you're morning routine is in more of your control, such as what time you need to wake up, eat breakfast, etc.
• Disability Compensation
  Physical complications, such as a broken leg, illness, or pregnancy, tends to put you out of work for a while. To avoid this problem, you can telecommute from home, be able to watch over your conditions, and not worry about getting others sick, or hurting yourself further.
• Environmental Factors
  Since telecommuting doesn't require leaving home, everyone who telecommutes is helping the environment by not driving to work. The dreaded rush hour to work is responsible for the a good amount of air pollution, and with enough people telecommuting, we can decrease air pollution.
• Increased Office Space
  With some employees out of the office and in their homes, companies don't have to pay for so much more office space. Ironically, the telecommuters are technically paying for the own office space.
  
• Disadvantages
• Sedentary/Reclusive Lifestyle
  While working at home is relaxing, it's missing the social element. Corporate offices aren't entirely professional. You get to meet people there, and see the world. Working from home can quickly get lonely and give the employee a warped sense of the world.
• Employer Surveillance
  Since the employee is working out of direct contact of the boss, it can hard for the employer to manage him/her. Issues that arise deal with proper use of company time. For example, what if the employee clocks into the company server, but wastes 30 minutes playing solitaire. It would be hard for the employer to notice this.

Social/Ethical Issues

• Authenticity of Employee
  When a company provides an employee remote access to a server, the company wants to be sure that only authorized personal access it. If a vandal gains access to the server, they could steal countless amounts of information, or give the company server a virus, costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars. To ensure the identity of the worker, the company could install a biometric system to authenticate the worker.
• Employee Monitoring
  While it may be sketchy, being able to monitor your employee's is an important part of business. In fact, it's the definition of "management." Telecommuters can not be directly seen by their managers, so the chance of them goofing off and stealing company time is higher. Any kind of monitoring of a telecommuter might suggest a lack of confidence as well, which would damage company morale and productivity.
  

Suggested Links
MSNBS - "The Quiet Revolution: Telecommuting"
Career Builder - Telecommuting 101
The Vancouver Sun - Telecommuting: A Win-Win Situation
Computer World - Confessions of a Full-Time Telecommuter
Framework Agreement on Telework