IT professionals need a lot more than a computer and a smartphone to get their jobs done. Here are 10 mostly non-tech tools they can't function without. The LeathermanAndrew Magill, who took this photo (and whose discussion on Flickr inspired this slide show), says he never goes anywhere without his Leatherman. “I’ve fixed so many things with my Leatherman, it’s crazy,” he wrote on Flickr. “I rewired my parents’ new house for phone and Ethernet with nothing but my Leatherman and a crimping tool.”LED FlashlightSuper-bright LED flashlights come in handy when systems administrators need to inspect the wiring in the darker corners of server rooms and when PC technicians have to add more memory to the cramped quarters of a computer. USB DriveO.K. So the USB drive is technically a tech tool. But we have to cite it here because it’s absolutely indispensible to tech professionals, who often keep one on their key chains (along with an LED penlight and a small Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife). The IT worker’s 30-Gig USB drive has saved many an end-user from losing important files during PC upgrades. 20 Goofy USB Gadgets and Gizmos You’ll Love20 USB Gizmos That Have No Place in the Enterprise But You’ll Love Just the SameNail clippersWhen it comes to personal grooming, programmers take special care with their fingernails, as long nails get in the way of coding. (Of course, some developers use their Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife to trim their nails.) Digital MultimeterElectrical engineers, hardware engineers and telecom technicians are just a few of the professionals who use these instruments to measure different attributes of electricity, such as voltage, resistance, current and frequency. Any geek who likes to tinker will have a multimeter. In this photo, Stephen Holiday used a multimeter (the black object with the digital screen near the upper left corner of the photo) while making a portable battery pack for an MP3 player and a wall charger.Slideshow: Evolution of the MP3 PlayerCrimperAmong the tools and gadgets clunking around inside an IT guy’s messenger bag, you’ll find a crimper for wiring Ethernet cables. ScrewdriversTech workers will always have on hand a couple of screwdrivers: small ones, large ones, flat heads and Phillips heads for, among other things, disassembling and reassembling PCs. They’ll also have T8 Torx screwdrivers for repairing Macs, along with extra screws. Gerber GearNo, we’re not talking baby food. We’re talking about yet another multipurpose tool, like the Leatherman or the Swiss Army Knife. Gerber Legendary Blades makes a variety of knives and gadgets that IT professionals (and our men and women in uniform) swear by. One techie claims he’s used it for everything from wiring outdoor speakers to minor surgery. Pocket KnifeRazor sharp pocket knives like this model by Benchmade make opening boxes of hardware and software a cinch. They also come in handy when IT professionals need to defend themselves against overly aggressive software vendors. Wi-Fi SnifferWe know: The Wi-Fi sniffer is a tech tool. But no self-respecting IT professional would be without one these nifty little devices, which detect wireless hot spots. Check out the discussion on Flickr that inspired this slide show. Related content news CIO Announces the CIO 100 UK and shares Industry Recognition Awards in flagship evening celebrations By Romy Tuin Sep 28, 2023 4 mins CIO 100 IDG Events Events feature 12 ‘best practices’ IT should avoid at all costs From telling everyone they’re your customer to establishing SLAs, to stamping out ‘shadow IT,’ these ‘industry best practices’ are sure to sink your chances of IT success. By Bob Lewis Sep 28, 2023 9 mins CIO IT Strategy Careers interview Qualcomm’s Cisco Sanchez on structuring IT for business growth The SVP and CIO takes a business model first approach to establishing an IT strategy capable of fueling Qualcomm’s ambitious growth agenda. By Dan Roberts Sep 28, 2023 13 mins IT Strategy IT Leadership feature Gen AI success starts with an effective pilot strategy To harness the promise of generative AI, IT leaders must develop processes for identifying use cases, educate employees, and get the tech (safely) into their hands. By Bob Violino Sep 27, 2023 10 mins Generative AI Innovation Emerging Technology Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe