According to Lexmark, the ubiquitous printer tops the list of technologies that computer users deem essential to be enable them to do their jobs. That’s according to a national telephone survey of knowledge workers , defined as individuals who use a computer at work for word processing, database, spreadsheet, Internet or e-mail applications.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, a global polling and market research firm, says that knowledge workers deemed the following technologies as essential : printer, 94 % ; Internet, 93% ; email, 92% ; copier, 86% ; telephone, 86% ; high-speed Internet, 83% ; access to company network, 83% ; access to specialized software, 79% ; cell phone, 62% ; scanner, 48% ; wireless capabilities, 47% ; and PDAs, 19%, The printer was also identified by the most respondents (73%) as the technology they miss the most when they are traveling or otherwise out of the office. Respondents also said they want wireless printing capabilities in the following locations : their workplace, 81% ; their home, 78% ; company locations other than their own office (such as a conference rooms), 63% ; hotel rooms, 62% ; outdoors, 38% ; in a vehicle (car, bus, train or plane), 34 % ; cafe or restaurant, 34% ; any of the above, 92%. Ipsos interviewed 711 knowledge workers by telephone between Oct. 10-24, 2006. The margin of error for the total sample is said to be +/- 3.7% with a 95% confidence level. So much for the paperless office.