Advances in mobile technology will make companies more efficient, productive and flexible in the next few years, according to research published yesterday (Wednesday).

The Eye to the Future report from consultancy Deloitte says mobile technology will be more important than ever to organisations looking to differentiate and generate a competitive edge.

The spread and increasing sophistication of mobile email systems will have a profound impact on working practices, says report author Paul Lee.

‘By 2010 there will be tens of millions of people using all kinds of mobile email systems. It will really enter the mainstream,’ he said.

‘The employer will become far more empowered to get their employees to work wherever and whenever, even at the weekends and on holiday.’

Conversely, employers will have to accept that staff will use work equipment and time for leisure activities. And as internet-connected devices become more common, the risks from viruses will increase and company information become more vulnerable as a result.

The office phone will remain the primary route to contacting most people, says Lee.

‘However, one thing that will come in more is video telephony, because of the drop in price for decent quality cameras and the signal bandwidth necessary to use them,’ he said.