Summer can be a tricky time for techies ambushed by friends and family demanding tech support under the Christmas tree or during summer barbecues.

That’s the problem Foxtel wants to solve with its new internal app, Foxtel BBQ.

The app can only be installed by Foxtel staff and is intended to help Foxtel’s staff answer questions and complaints posed during social situations. The app released in beta this week, just ahead of the summer break and its myriad barbecues and other social gatherings.

The app currently has three main functions: ‘BBQ Conversations’, ‘Jump the Queue’ and ‘Something’s not working’.

BBQ Conversations is for answering common questions likely arise during family gatherings once employees mention that they work for Foxtel. These questions are categorised into four groups: current issues, product and pricing, technical support and equipment.

Jump the Queue is feature that’s sure to be popular with the folks. Foxtel says it will help employees take ownership of requests by tracking new sales leads and upgrades. Talk about workplace mobility! By entering their details into the app, requests will be fast-tracked and addressed within 48 hours.

Something’s not working is much the same ­– providing a 48-hour turn-around on support from Foxtel’s tech team.

Foxtel invited feedback from staff, and says it will improve the app before BBQ season ramps up.

Telstra, which owns a 35 percent stake in Foxtel, has a similar app called SNAPP, used for fielding common queries in staff’s personal lives.