Although many enterprises are ignoring or delaying the implementation of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), mobile workers are realizing the many benefits and adopting the technology rapidly. This growing use of Wi-Fi is raising notebook total cost of ownership (TCO) 3 percent to 4 percent, by $197 to $325 annually, according to Gartner.

"The good news is that Wi-Fi permits users to work outside the traditional office and improve overall productivity," said Leslie Fiering, research vice president for Gartner. "The ability to work from home or hotels, airport lounges, conference centers, clients' sites and a host of other locations outside the office offsets the additional costs."

By 2005, Gartner analysts predict that 80 percent of all commercial notebooks sold will be wireless-enabled.

"Rapid end-user adoption is happening with or without the consent of enterprises because the ability to get quick, easy connections to the Internet or remote access to enterprise network facilitates is too compelling to ignore," said Fiering. "Enterprises need to understand the cost elements of using Wi-Fi in notebooks so they can budget realistically and apply best practices to manage the TCO."

The notebook operating system and the type of user have the biggest impact on Wi-Fi TCO, according to Gartner analysts.

"Windows XP tends to have lower TCO for Wi-Fi because of its easier connection setup, ability to detect Wi-Fi access points and greater robustness than Windows 2000," said Fiering. "The result is fewer calls to the service desk, lower end-user operations costs and less downtime."

Similarly, users who tend to travel less and use their notebooks at home a few nights a week for day extender applications have a lower Wi-Fi TCO than traveling workers or road warriors who do the majority of their work outside the traditional office environment.

The adoption of best practices can go far to reduce Wi-Fi TCO, according to Gartner analysts. Gartner analysts recommend the following:

• Standardize on Windows XP for Wi-Fi users.
• Develop Wi-Fi policies even if no near-term plans exist to deploy Wi-Fi within the enterprise.
• Re-examine security architectures and policies in light of potential Wi-Fi vulnerabilities.
• Train users, service desk and support personnel.
• Add an expense category for hot spot/public access fees to understand what is being spent.

Gartner is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses are Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs.