Leader: Business travel tech - a good thing?

For most silicon.com readers business travel is a fact of life. Thus it's no surprise that our coverage on technology which can keep you connected while travelling and make long journeys more productive has consistently generated high levels of interest.

We can't count the number of times we've heard tales of 'CrackBerry' addiction or how you'd never travel without your trusty laptop and 3G data card.

It's because of this interest that we've launched a new special report, the Business Traveller Guide, which over the coming weeks will feature advice on which products, services and techniques make mobile working more palatable.

When we asked our CIO Jury whether they're able to stay connected and productive while travelling, we weren't too surprised they gave a resounding 'yes'.

Less expected, however, was that they weren't wholly pleased about this state of affairs. Several jurors said they longed for the days when they could enjoy a pint at the airport instead of furiously answering emails during the final boarding call.

One juror also pointed out that because of increased availability of internet access in airports and hotel rooms, it's becoming harder and harder to take a break even when travelling on holiday.

While mobile tech is still to be welcomed we must also remember the downside - less downtime.

This is not only an issue of personal preference but also one that affects the IT chief's ability to stay fresh, inspired and efficient - we all know how creativity lags after a sleepless overnight flight spent finishing off that presentation or catching up on emails.

During the course of our Business Traveller Guide special report, we will address 'connectivity creep' in more depth. We'd also like to know what you think: do the benefits of mobile tech outweigh the downsides, especially when travelling on business? Let us know by emailing us at editorial@silicon.com or posting a Reader Comment below.