Gadgets take over UK home offices10 February 2006
While most people would almost be disappointed if major companies throughout the country were not becoming more and more technologically friendly, it may be surprising to hear that the influence of business and executive gadgets is now spreading to home offices as well.
Recent research by analysts form IDC found that small offices and home offices (trendily known as SOHOs) are attempting to keep up with their larger cousins, small and medium sized enterprises (less trendily known as SMEs) in terms of IT spending.
The IDC survey predicted that the combined spending by SMEs based in the US and UK solely on IT products would rise to $302 billion (£171 million) by the end of this year, with smaller business looking to take the lead on investing in the latest technology.
The report also revealed that devices such as mobile phones, colour laser printers and local area networks (LAN) are so commonplace among SOHOs that self-styled entrepreneurs and businesspeople alike are looking at new technological devices that will increase productivity, or are maybe just fun to play with.
Beyond the ball and chain
The market for business and executive toys has been around for decades, but these days increasingly gadget-savvy consumers are looking for gizmos a bit more advanced than the trusty Newton's Cradle.
However, SMEs and SOHOs could be forgiven for feeling a little bit overwhelmed by the flood of executive toys that exist, the most popular of which are so outlandish that white-collar workers would be pretty shocked to see their boss playing with them.
A quick trawl on the internet reveals gems such as the electronic airpower shooting gallery and the desktop air hockey set. If you think these sound slightly childish for business executives to be playing with, there is apparently a huge market for complete installations of executive sandboxes, which the manufacturers reliably inform us, will give business leaders the chance to have a day at the beach without leaving the office.
In addition, many employees would have long suspected there was no pattern behind their bosses' seemingly random decision making, and the existence of the decision maker dartboard goes a long way to confirming their fears.
Go gadget go
However, there is a serious message behind the abundance of products for executives to get their teeth into (and make sandcastles with). As well as a spate of less serious gadgets, there are a number of high-tech devices available that can really give SOHOs and SMEs an edge in business.
Traditional LAN systems are great, but there's only so much that increasingly mobile-driven SOHOs can achieve by using them. PDAs and BlackBerrys are becoming progressively common among general home workers and employees favouring flexible working
With SOHO workers in particular becoming more and more likely to not be based in their offices at all times, solutions such as BT's Remote Access Pack can help businesses to achieve their potential. The Remote Access Pack allows workers to access their PCs wherever they are, as long as they have access to an internet connection.
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