Computer giant Fujitsu Siemens (FS) has predicted that call centres will be fully automated within four years.

Environmental concerns and new technology mean that only a skeleton staff will be required to run data centres, which will lead to a massive retraining of IT staff.

Senior technology strategist David Pritchard said: "Tomorrow's data centre will resemble more of a 'one man and a dog' set-up - the dog is there for security and the man is there to feed the dog."

He added that saving energy was a major appeal of the move which would "save polar bears".

More streamlined virtualised systems are leading the way to remote management and Mr Pritchard suggested it was a positive move with "no real downside".

He went on to say it would enhance the helpful role of IT within business, rather than business being led by issues related to keeping it running.

FS was founded in 1999 and is based in Maarssen, Netherlands.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).