Handheld devices – PDAs – allow clients to connect directly or indirectly to LANs.  This means that you need to treat remote connection of handheld devices the same way you would treat any other device, including a home computer or a company-owned notebook.  You need to talk with your clients about which sensitive data can be stored on handheld devices and which cannot to promote safety and security.   Handheld devices are small and much more easily stolen or lost than any other type of devices.  

Backup Procedures

In terms of data security, you need to develop backup procedures for handheld devices.  It’s very possible – and has happened! – to lose years of appointments and 2,000 customer names if you store important information only on a PDA and don’t back it up elsewhere.  Make sure you are taking responsibility for educating your clients on the importance of backing up their handheld devices.   

Connecting to Desktops

You need to consider how your clients’ internal gurus or your consulting firm will help users to connect their handheld devices to office PCs.  Clients could very well ban PDAs from the office or make users responsible for their own PDA support issues, but these options are not always the best.  Handheld devices are becoming really important to others in your clients’ industries, which means they probably need to start using them to stay on top of the competition.    

Other Damage Caused by Employees

Your clients probably also don’t want to give employees the responsibility of installing and supporting their own PDAs unless they are incredibly PC-savvy.  A user often will break some key software configurations when blindly accepting default settings.

If your clients need to use handheld devices, they need someone like you or a very great internal guru to handle their support issues.  

Added By:  Computer Consulting Kit