IT managers also have to contend with the ongoing introduction of consumer- oriented technologies into business operations. That includes instant messaging applications, Google Inc. 's desktop search tool and peer-to-peer voice technology from vendors such as Skype Technologies SA.

In another poll at the conference, 20 percent of the respondents said they have banned such technologies from end-user systems; 43 percent said they discourage the use of them, and 26 percent said they allow the technologies to be used but don't support them. The remainder either encourage or actively support the use of such technologies. Prentice said that ultimately, "you cannot stop consumer-grade technology from entering the enterprise," especially if IT managers want to keep their environments attractive to knowledge workers.