The big question

Lewis Lewis, of Lewis and Lewis Ltd, Newport

Technology helps us all in so many different ways. From transportation to communication to entertainment and much more. Computers are one of the biggest things in technology today. Without my computer, my life would be very different and I fear now impossible. Communication is one of things I do most on computers. It helps keep in touch with people across the world often in different time zones for very little cost. There's Facebook and twitter as well as hundreds of other social media and websites designed for people to communicate with one another. Without these, I don't know how I would be able to communicate with some of my clients or even build my business. Social media is a platform that is again cost effective and allows us to reach a wide audience very quickly. Entertainment is another big thing that people do on computers. There's tons of games and videos and other things that you can access on a computer even when you're not at home. Without these, it would be hard to find another source of entertainment to help time go by faster especially when you are away and have no other option. Last but not least, there's research. Nobody likes to search through a bunch of old books for hours trying to find a small piece of information when you could have pages of all the facts you need with just the click of a mouse. Without having a computer to help me find information when I need it, my life would be a lot more complicated. With computers, almost any problem you have can be solved just by pressing a few buttons.

Andrew Tugwell, group operations director, Acorn Group, Newport

For both work and home it just has to be a smart phone. Recruitment is a fast-paced, 24/7 industry, so being able to stay in touch away from the office and out of normal hours is vital. In fact, mobile devices, such as smart phones, have revolutionised our business. Not only are we able to do our own jobs in a more responsive way, but they allow individuals to quickly search and apply for our jobs at a time and place convenient to them. Industry research suggests that 86 per cent of jobseekers, who have a smartphone, would use it to search for a job and Acorn's own figures show over a 30 per cent increase of visitors to our website via mobile devices in the past year.

Terry Edgell, director, Premier Forest Products, Newport

My phone is the obvious choice because I would go into meltdown if I lost or forgot it! However, my other critical piece of technology just has to be satellite navigation. I spend so much time between our company branches with a phone and a brain that never stops that I seldom have a chance to notice routes. And because I am invariably late, at least sat nav gives me a chance to ring ahead and warn the destination of my new estimated time of arrival!

Jonathan O'Connell, senior IT developer and manager, HardingEvans Solicitors, Newport

Our business intelligence software has become an increasingly indispensable resource to our business. The past few years have seen legislation reforms, economic uncertainty and customer expectations change. Our suite of reports and KPIs interrogate our Practice Management Software to allow us to make informed decisions on how we need to adapt to an ever changing industry. Business owners are able to easily identify any potential risk or compliance issues and monitor profitability and efficiency across all practice areas. Employees at all levels have access to tailored reports which help give them an overview of their workload and assist them in working more efficiently.

Nigel Griffiths, COO of Certus TG, Newport

It has to be a smart phone – in business and at home. It amazes me that a smart phone’s secondary use is to talk to people, with its primary one to act as a diary, gaming device or alarm clock! Smart phones are the first independent experience that most children get of technology and totally dominate the way that 10-25 year olds interact with each other. In today’s fast-paced life, it is essential that we are totally mobile and it is no understatement to say that smart phones have completely revolutionised the way we live our lives and communicate – to the point that you can barely function without one.

Clive Thomas, managing partner at Watkins & Gunn Solicitors

The obvious answer is a mobile phone or a tablet... but what about the humble TV remote? It is fought over in every home across the land and causes panic and an exhaustive search if it goes missing - until it is found down the back of the sofa! It performs a public service by saving billions of people from the trouble of having to actually get out their comfy chairs and switch channels. It is also the sign of ultimate power over all you survey if you possess it - so I say the TV remote!