It used to be that mobile communication devices were only used by doctors and high level business executives. These days, even the average office worker can be connected wherever he or she may be. More than being connected through e-mail and mobile phone messaging, though, technology now allows people to connect to their offices while on the road. This means easier access to files, and perhaps better productivity.

Those in the technology sector realize this need and have been working to provide various features to small businesses; the same features that big corporations have access to is now available to small businesses as well. One company in particular has made this their goal.

Zdnet recently featured Egnyte, which is an online file server provider. This company is launching applications for the Blackberry and Android, geared towards the small business. More details:

Today, the company is unveiling Android and Blackberry apps to add to the iPhone app previously released. It’s also releasing the findings of a survey that it commissioned that found that half of all small businesses are using mobile devices to conduct business and that the majority had been in situations where they needed access to their files while in transit. In a statement, the company said:

Egnyte’s on-demand file server enables both Mac and PC business users to have online file storage, file sharing capabilities and automatic backup in one solution. The new interfaces, which require no additional software installation on the device, leverages a mobile drive — “m Drive” — that lets mobile users access all of their data stored via the Egnyte file server.

While not everyone in your business may have the need for this kind of connectivity, the availability of such a feature will certainly be useful for at least a handful of your employees – including yourself.

Christmas is the time to give, and most often, that also means having to spend. After all, a lot of people equate giving with cash and gifts that have to be bought. When it comes to companies – big or small – it has become a tradition to give gifts or bonuses around Christmastime. While this has been the tradition, things have been changing, especially with the economic crisis that has been prevailing for quite some time.

In fact, AP just released a report on a survey in this regard. The details:

NO BONUS: More small-business employees can expect no end-of-year bonuses or gifts for 2009.

A recent survey of small business owners or managers showed fewer of them planning gifts or cash for their workers. “Business owners are still feeling pinched cash wise,” said American Express business adviser Alice Bredin. AmEx’s small business division conducted the survey.

Last year, 44 percent of those surveyed said employees would get an end-of-year bonus. This year, only 31 percent did. Even fewer are planning raises: 16 percent, compared with 30 percent last year. Meanwhile, in 2008, 46 percent of owners or managers said employees would get holiday gifts. This year, it’s 35 percent.

The business owners or managers surveyed oversaw companies with fewer than 100 employees.

This is definitely bad news for small business employees, but perhaps business owners can find a way to lessen the impact of not being able to give bonuses? What are you planning to do for your employees this Christmas?

Photo courtesy of Acme Climate Action