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The telephone has been the core business tool for most business professionals for decades. But with the arrival of the mobile phone, business people were liberated to cut deals in the open air, talk to colleagues, customers and suppliers while travelling, and work more effectively out of the office. Now more than ever, today's business person needs to be able to function while out and about - win business, secure deals and communicate efficiently with the office - and it's technology that enables it.
Mobile phones continue to develop. Bluetooth headsets have allowed business people to use their phones more easily while walking about and coming soon are mobile phones that can use the public Internet to make low-cost calls. This VoIP technology (Voice over Internet Protocol, such as Skype) is already popular on desktop PCs with many businesses and individuals that want to drive down their telephony costs.
PDAs
Many mobile phones have been developed into so-called 'converged' devices, also called smartphones. These have a number of additional features besides the ability to make and receive voice calls, and have therefore become miniature computing devices.
Today's PDAs can be used to:
- Take and transmit high quality photographs
- Navigate via GPS
- Browse the Internet
- Create, send and receive e-mails
- Create and view business documents and presentations
- Store vital contacts and data
Wonders of WiFi
A good laptop computer with wireless 'WiFi' capabilities is an essential part of the mobile worker's tool kit. It provides them with broadband capabilities on the road and does not require a landline socket to function.
If the notebook computer has a good size screen, the mobile business person can show clients and partners their presentations or website, and an integrated full-sized keyboard will mean they can create word processing documents more easily from cafés or hotels.
Today's laptops come with excellent power management built-in, plus the ability to go to sleep when not in use, thus saving vital battery life. However, the charger is still an essential piece of equipment while on the road, both for the notebook and for any other mobile devices.
Car navigation
The car navigation system, also called a 'satnav', has become popular with both business travellers and hi-tech consumers. It is a satellite-based system designed for use in cars, and typically uses GPS to acquire position data to locate the user on a road that is held in the unit's map database. Then, using the road database, the unit can give the driver directions to other locations on the map.
It can do this by using either a clear and bright flatscreen panel, or by using text-to-speech software, which enables the device to announce street names as well as SMS and traffic messages.
Optional extras
For many business people who are frequently on the road, it doesn't end with the phone, PDA, laptop and GPS system. The die-hard road warrior might also require other IT equipment, including:
- Portable scanner
- Portable projector
- USB key or portable storage drive
- Chargers, and power converters and plugs for travelling abroad
- Web camera to video conference on the move
- Headphones
- USB wireless presentation kit
- Keyboard, mouse and docking station to expand the notebook
- Large carry case with plenty of pockets
While you may need to be in touch with your office while you're on the road, remember that there are legal restrictions on the types of device you can use whilst driving. Read our article on using your mobile in the car if you're unsure of what is considered dangerous and could result in a fine.
Is my equipment insured?
If your line of work requires you or your employees to carry expensive IT equipment while you are out and about, you should check the details of your business insurance policy carefully as there are conditions attached and not all portable PCs or handheld devices may be covered.
Related information:
Car insurance for business use - if you use your car for business you could still be eligible for Direct Line car insurance - find out what conditions are attached to our policy.
Business networking - how to get the most out of networking events.
Working from home - if you don't keep an office to run your business, you'll still need extra insurance on top of your usual home contents. Find out what the best options are.
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