Execs stumble over digital toys

Easily done

Giving senior execs digital toys such as PDAs and wireless gizmos can be more trouble than it's worth, according to research out today.

While the idea of mobile working might sound appealing, the reality can be a technological nightmare for those on the road.

Even the basic task of connecting "mobile execs" to corporate networks while they're in hotels, conference centres and airports road can cause a major headache for IT departments.

According to business software outfit TouchPaper, two thirds of IT directors said that giving tech-illiterate business folk the latest gadgets created additional work for tech support.

Seven in ten of those quizzed said providing IT support to these non-technical mobile execs was "a major challenge".

"It's easy for organisations to be wowed by the rapidly advancing mobile technologies that are available today," said TouchPaper marketing director Marina Stedman.

"But you need to think about training and support issues if you really want to make the most of these developments." ®

Related stories

BSA slams blasé management of flexible working
Mobiles 'ring around the blue collar'
Mobiles and petrol stations do mix
Trust your employees, says Microsoft