The Fate of Desk Phones
I’ve been around long enough to remember fondly my days at a typewriter. And, even more fondly, my early days using a computer.
As you may already know, I am a CPA and managed an accounting firm for many years. My “second” job, right after my first job at Burger King, was with a regional accounting firm. I started with them just a few days after my 16th birthday – in the late 70s.
In those days, we didn’t have a computer in the office. We completed forms that had to be sent to a data processing facility for input. We did this for our billing system AND for preparing tax returns. As you can imagine, one small error and the correction took days to make.
We have come a long way! We wouldn’t think of equipping a desk for a staff person without including a pretty powerful computer. The computer’s processing power can directly impact productivity.
So, when we hear that the computer and phone on our desks will soon be extinct, we need to sit up and take notice!
If you’re using a smart phone, you can probably remember the day you got the first one and how it revolutionized your business life. And, with the improvements in technology and wi-fi networks widely available, we can do much of what we relied on our desk computer for from just about anywhere.
I spent a few days last week at a conference. On both sides of me, there was someone with an iPad feverishly typing in notes. They had a supplemental keyboard and obviously relied on this device for most (if not all) of their computing needs.
To be honest, I’m not there yet. I am a pretty fast typist – having taken typing in high school – and am still tethered to my desk computer by a full-sized keyboard. Last week, I realized that it might be time for me to wean myself. To get the process started, I am committed to purchasing a supplemental keyboard for my iPad. For just about any accessory, there are plenty of options to choose from which can paralyze us when making a decision. Wish me luck. I’ll let you know how it goes!
When you’re making decisions about your information technology infrastructure, focusing on mobile devices will provide a big payoff. Over the years, the need for a typewriter has been completely eliminated. If the predictions are correct, your desk phone and computer will suffer the same fate.