In recent times, computers have played an important role in improving the capacities of managers by giving them extra power to carry out their functions and responsibilities. Today it is impossible to imagine managers without access to computers. Computers have changed the way organizations work and interact both internally and with the outside world. However, as managers get busier in their corporate lives, they need more space to perform efficiently and effectively. All-in-one PCs such as the IBM NetVista X40 are excellent space savers and provide more freedom and liberty for managers to perform effectively. A common all-in-one PC configuration includes a Celeron 533/566 MHz or Intel Pentium III 600/667 MHz CPU. They also typically come with 64 MB or 128 MB of SDRAM, although a maximum of 512 MB is currently available.
Snazzy Laptops
If budget is not a constraint, then it is a good idea to provide managers with their own laptops. However, the small sizes of a standard laptop keyboard and snug built-in mouse could be a slight disadvantage. Nonetheless, the latest laptops such as the Dell Inspiron 8000 can provide a good alternative to standard desktop and mini-tower PCs. Typically, laptops such as these come with a Celeron 600 processor, 64MB of RAM, and a 5GB hard disk.
Flat Panel LCDs
Desktop monitors are fast going out of fashion with the introduction of flat panel LCDs such as the Philips Brilliance 150P or the Eizo FlexScan HD2441W. These are particularly good options for a manager who spends a considerable amount of time in front of the screen.
The 150P comes with a standard VGA connection and includes a DVI jack that makes it compatible with a variety of newly launched PCs and video cards. Additionally, the monitor comes along with a pair of stereo speakers and a built-in microphone. There is an optional USB hub as well that enables the 150P to be connected with a maximum of four other devices. Eizo’s HD2441W provides dual PC and HDMI ports, and comes with resolution of 1920 x 1080.
Multifunctional Devices
In any discussion of the latest e-gadgets, one certainly has to include multifunctional devices, or MFDs. MFDs combine printers, scanners, copiers, and fax machines into one single, handy device. Unfortunately, while MFDs can deliver the quality that many businesses require, they cannot at present handle the workload that standalone devices can. As such, businesses that require high outputs and volume should consider sticking with standalone devices for now.
IP Phones
These gadgets are specialized telephones, which use VoIP technology to connect to the internet instead of connecting to a standard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) like normal telephones. They are equipped with an R45 Ethernet jack that can be plugged into any router, enabling calls worldwide at very low costs. Individuals can make calls from wherever they are as long they have access to a broadband connection. IP phones like the Cisco Unified IP Phones 7900 Series are packed with features like color LCD displays, dynamic soft keys, customizable XML capabilities, and a host of other services.
