Providing latest gadgets to employees

When is it necessary to splurge on the latest gadgets for your business?

According to News24, the City of Tshwane municipality has issued a tender to buy 1 260 latest technology products. The gadgets range from iPads to different kinds of tablets.

News24 stated that a source in the municipality said that the gadgets were for Tshwane’s 210 councillors, executives and other senior managers.

For some people this may seem unnecessary, but for others it is imperative to keep up with the latest technologies to enhance productivity.

Author of upcoming book The Psychology of Technology, Ramon Thomas states there is a need for staff to be provided with the tools that they need for work. However, Thomas also notes that businesses do not necessarily need to purchase iPads and other tablets if they already have desktop computers and laptops.

“Generation Y, also known as Millennials, insist on purchasing their own technology devices, often iPad or similar tablets, to ensure they are mobile,” says Thomas.

With regards to the City of Tshwane needing to purchase these gadgets, Thomas says, “Government officials who work on sites and outside the office 50% of the time or more may justify the purchase of iPads to individuals but not an entire group.”

According to Thomas the business sector that is most likely to invest heavily in technology is the financial and banking sector. This sector is the pioneer in electronic commerce. Other sectors may see the need to constantly be upgraded; however, it is not always imperative.

“The benefits (of upgrading technology in a business) are clearly to automate processes and procedures. This removes the need to hire more people. The pitfalls are the increasing complexity of managing the systems. Add in the relationships with technology companies and you clearly see the geek gap at work,” he says.

Thomas feels that technology, especially internet and mobile, is the best investment a business can make. They multiply opportunities as well as helping to create new ones.

“Companies, and especially management, must have a clear technology strategy and not rely on adhoc purchases of new gadgets. The strategy must be aligned to the vision and mission of the business to ensure ROI (return on investment).

Training of staff is more important, even though the technology will automate many processes for them. So watch for the three pillars of technology terrorism: complexity, confusion and conflict,” he says.