While travelling by train to London last week it struck me just how much people rely on mobile communications for personal and business use these days. A teenager was listening to loud music on his MP3 player - a good use of mobile technology for him, but not so good for his fellow travellers - as someone else watched a movie on a mobile DVD player.

Meanwhile, a businessman was using his phone to rearrange his pick-up from Kings Cross as the train was delayed - saving his colleague time wasted waiting at the station.

The couple sitting next to me were typing on laptops - one had just finished a client presentation and had forwarded it via e-mail for her meeting that afternoon.

Just as the desktop computer revolutionised the way we worked in the 1970s, mobile technology is helping employees unshackle themselves from desks and offices.

Mobile phones, PDAs, laptops and, most recently BlackBerrys, have become the IT must-haves for staff on the go, providing them with easy, instant access to corporate data and e-mail, no matter where they are.

One of the biggest advantages is increased productivity. Recent statistics show companies can, on average, gain six hours a week of work per employee by providing them with a laptop rather than desktop computer.

By arming staff with wireless communication, companies are also giving them the flexibility to work from home, helping them reach the Holy Grail of 21st Century business - a better work/life balance.

It can also open the door to untapped employee groups, such as young mothers, who may be excluded by the traditional, restrictive office-based environment.

And, as businesses embrace this new technology, the need to create permanent office workspaces for every employee is diminished - potentially reducing costs significantly.

As with all IT, there are security issues to manage, but none of those detract from the overall advantages. People are using mobile technology to their personal and business benefit - I wrote this article on my BlackBerry on the train and e-mailed it to the editor.

Michael McMeekin is managing director of Wisdom IT. Log on to www.wisdomit.co.uk

Published: 21/06/2005