In this, our extended insight, Real Business examines why using mobile technology is crucial to the future success of SMEs...

In a mere decade and a half, the workplace has evolved from a never-ending paper trail to a transient electronic haven.

With the lure of increased productivity â“ and the requirements of a more demanding workforce â“ it's not surprising that more and more businesses are turning to mobile computing. However, the vast majority of business people are not accessing the full plethora of mobile computing possibilities.

According to Silicon.com’s special report, Converged Comms, while over 95 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK use laptops, mobiles and have broadband, only 62 per cent are making use of mobile email services on laptops. The report also found that less than 38 per cent are utilising 3G services on their mobiles, and only a mere 27 per cent check emails on a BlackBerry.

Clearly, mobile computing is still partially a foreign concept.

Indeed, mobile computing is more than just MS Word on the go. While looking in vogue with a swish laptop on train journeys might play to the ego, it's the ability to have centrally-located and accessible information through a wireless connection â“ be it via the internet or a private network â“ that's the real pull factor.

Being able to access company information while on the move means managers and their teams can truly maximise their time. This kind of access improves organisation and efficiency, as a central hub of information eliminates the need for duplication of files.

Being able to remotely access and track a file â“ and the project it's attached to â“ is another huge bonus to this repository approach, especially when out visiting related clients.

And it's not just data; software can also be shared over wireless networks, allowing for greater connectivity between team members and colleagues who are out in the field.

Things like email, video conferencing, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), instant messaging and online collaborative tools have really alleviated the day-to-day need for a static office. In fact, the most rapidly growing technology among SMEs is VoIP.

According to the Converged Comms report, this new communication technology comes second only to laptops in investment planning for 2007 among this demographic.

Mobile computing will soon be a given, considering the changing dynamics of the workforce. In a bid to improve work/life balance, employees are pushing for a more flexible working week, with home working high on their wish lists.

Research carried out by Microsoft revealed that for 73 per cent of people, the ability to work flexibly was a deciding factor when choosing a job. Also, 52 per cent said working away from the office would make their life less stressful. However, currently just 16 per cent of small businesses have a formal flexible-working policy in place.

The benefits don’t lay solely with the workers, though. In fact, a recent report published by National Work from Home Day (NWHD) stated that those working from home are often more productive than employees in traditional office settings.

Still, there are always two sides to the coin. What employees trade in for being able to work from the comfort of being snuggled up under the duvet is being nearly always contactable due to the heightened level of communication mobile computing allows.

It's near impossible to say you've missed a request or instruction when several lines of communication â“ VoIP, email, instant messaging, the good old mobile phone â“ are in full effect.

Employees have been found to work seven-hour days â“ and in some cases ten-hour days â“ for fear of being branded skivers. The "always available" culture generated by these changes in working methods and frameworks will likely be one of the biggest lifestyle changes the internet-savvy businessperson will have to adapt to.

Still, any progressive change is subject to issues and hurdles. Given the research and the speed of uptake, the rewards of this technological advancement will far outweigh the problems that may arise.

Those that don't harness the full potential of mobile computing stand the risk of being completely left behind as their traditional channels of communication dry up.

Related tags: mobile computing, voip, formal flexible working policy, converged comms, improve work life balance, 3g services, increased productivity,