We now have more and more electronic devices in use, and we want all our information, in all the locations, all the time. This causes a dilemma, since most of the devices have different versions of each program, with different features, and they not only change from device to device but from version of device to version of device -- you get the picture -- big mess. Data gets lost, and sometimes data gets duplicated, and we don't know why or how this stuff is supposed to "work". Well, it does when you understand how it works, not technically but on the functional level of what the software is actually doing with the data. Here's a recent example.

One of the companies that I work with has an email hosting client with a problem that is much more common than you might think. The problem resulted from one (or more than one) individual not understanding how to set up an email account on multiple devices, or why one way is better than another, and wasting lots of valuable time and resources for everyone involved (especially himself!). It has taken over 4 hours of 3 people's time over the course of a week to address this situation. Finally one of the hosting company's partners had to step in and send this email:

"[Client]:

"I am [someone]'s partner in [company] and he has asked me to respond to this issue since I have expertise in the technology involved.

"Here is the problem as I understand it: when our mail server allows your computer, and/or phone and/or tablet (and any other device that you have) to connect to your account using any of the following services: IMAP, POP, MAPI, AIRSYNC, ISYNC (in other words, anything but Webmail), you get duplicate messages in your mailbox. This points to the issue being one of two things. One, it may be an exploit running on your computer, which needs to be removed. Two, and more likely, is a configuration error on one or more of your devices.

"Please be aware you are the only user on the server -- and on any of our servers -- who is having this problem, including other people from your own office. If you wish, I can shadow you and work you through the standard troubleshooting steps to get this resolved, if you or the person who set up your computer and phones cannot find the issue. This would be a billable service since the problem is not due to any issues on our side. This was proven last week when we turned off access to your domain from any of the above services aside from webmail.

"I am available today to work with you on this so you can be back to normal Monday morning. Please leave a voicemail if you don't reach me as I will be in and out during the afternoon."

Folks, come on! Think about what changes occurred in your environment when a problem starts. Most likely, that new element caused the problem, it's not just a coincidence. Even if it is a seemingly small change such as using email on your new tablet computer or syncing your calender to your cell phone. With all these devices, some that sync using the actual software, and some that have software that syncs the device with a desktop or multiple desktops, something will ultimately go wrong. Make sure that you really understand what you are turning on when you have your phone sync with email and Outlook or with Facebook and Linked In for the address book. You also need to make sure you have everything backed up, since mistakes happen.

If something is staring you in the face, like the situation above where when client's devices did not connect to the server, everything worked fine, but when they were turned on it did not work the way the client expected it to work, it is obviously a problem with the client's devices. But somehow the client was pointed in the wrong direction and would not be convinced even by such clear proof. A well-written email can sometimes really clear up the problem.

What we all really need is to turn off our devices and go for a walk or take a drive without a GPS and let our brains catch up. Then go back to the world refreshed and it will be much easier to solve our problems.