Computer Angels come to rescue

IT specialist Roy Grubb believes there are thousands of computer lovers in Hong Kong who are under-used in the workplace.

Mr Grubb, who set up Computer Angels earlier this year after recognising the need for an independent coaching service for businesses frustrated with the poor productivity of their computer systems, said: 'People who work with PCs are pretty much polarised in their attitudes to them.

'There are those who love computers and those who have no curiosity whatsoever.

'But some employees spend extra time exploring their computers and even spend their own money on computer equipment - just so they can do more at work. They are a great resource not often recognised by the business.' Computer Angels, which began as an informal ancillary service offered by Mr Grubb's management consultancy about 18 months ago, has helped identify these power users in a number of offices in the territory since it was set up as a separate entity about three months ago.

He has hired technical staff to serve a growing number of clients wanting answers to computing problems that did not justify large-scale attention or the higher-fee structure of his corporate management advisory service.

'Most of the people providing this type of computer support also sell hardware or software,' Mr Grubb said.

'We don't have anything else to sell - it's just relationship building.' He said Computer Angels was best described as a hand-holding service at desktop level.