Smartphones have revolutionised the way firms do business, according to one industry commentator.

The handheld gadgets give workers access to high quality applications on the move and allow them to be reachable by customers 24/7, pointed out Heather Mclean, editor and founder of smartgorrilas.com.

This means staff, including IT contractors, are never out of reach and can continue to work no matter where they are.

Ms Mclean commented: "They can manage their business much better with the features and functionality that smartphones give them."

She predicted that the development of smartphone technology could see many firms downsize their physical offices and encourage more staff to work remotely.

Around half of UK small firms are already using smartphones for email or internet, according to the the Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain by The Open University Business School, Barclays and ACCA.

A further nine per cent plan to adopt the technology this year.