Software developer John Greenfield understands the value of staying connected away from his home office.

A Cape Girardeau resident who works for Jacksonville, Fla.-based Fidelity Information Services from his home office, Greenfield has been a mainstay at area cafes and coffee shops for three years, using their wireless capabilities to research information for his company through his laptop. Since he spends a majority of his day working from home, Greenfield said the time at the establishments is a welcome break.

"This allows me to get away from my home office for a little while, where I can feel like I'm cooped up at times," Greenfield said. "Since my days get extended to 16 hours at times, coming here helps me not to get so buggy."

Greenfield's opinion seems to mirror findings from a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project study. It found that 41 percent of adult Americans have logged onto the Internet away from home or a home office using a wireless laptop connection or hand-held device. The survey also found that of online users asked how often they use the Internet someplace other than home or work, 21 percent did this at least a couple days a week.

Panera Bread is just one Cape Girardeau business that sees the value in the free Wi-Fi service in its more than 1,200 locations, according to company spokeswoman Linn Parrish. She said the service has been a catalyst for increased sales during historically slower periods such as mid morning and early afternoon.

"We believe we raised the bar in customer service by offering free Wi-Fi," Parrish said. "We see it as another amenity for our customers."

Computer 21 owner Andrew Bard said he and businesspeople like Greenfield understand the convenience and importance of using wireless connections to conduct business instead of being confined to an office space.

"People who work outside the office are used to being on top of things at a moment's notice," said Bard, who owns stores through the region. "They're used to staying in contact with the important people in their business.

"Not to say that those that work out of an office are not prepared as well, but I think the mindset for someone who doesn't have an office is different," Bard said. "There seems to be more of an urgency in how they conduct themselves and their business."

But with the benefits come drawbacks, Bard admitted.

"It's very difficult to turn off that kind of thinking when you go home," Bard said. "As I can attest to, you must have a personal life. It's not all about work.

"If you go out with someone who works in this fashion, even on a simple lunch meeting, it's almost impossible for them to put down the cell phone or the laptop," he said. "There's almost an addiction that comes with instant communication."

Another drawback is that some cafes and coffee shops such as Starbucks and McDonald's charge users for using their wireless connections, according to Cozmos Cafe project director Trace Jessup.

"We've always been free," Jessup said of the Cape Girardeau coffee shop and cafe. "The reason why you have the free Wi-Fi is not only so you offer an extra service but it gives customers a reason to hang out.

"If a customer comes in and works on computers, he or she might stay around longer," he said. "And if they're here a while, they'll more than likely buy more than one item."

But regardless of whether customers purchase extra items or enjoy a simple cup of coffee, he said the service the Cape Girardeau cafe offers is a valuable amenity for its customers.

"I see what we do as a great thing," Jessup said. "We welcome others to come in and use it because we're here to serve the community with this valuable service."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628