Being a small business or one man operation is a challenge. Being out on the road, busy on a job you still need to be connected with your clients.
Technology has come a long way and offers many ways of staying connected and in control of your business.
Using a laptop out of the office you can now use wireless networking or mobile data cards to stay connected and access the Internet and check your email, voicemail and even access files back at your office.
An alternative to the laptop is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) e.g. Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Treo. In essence a pocket computer integrated with a phone which allows you to again check your email, voicemail and access the Internet as well as manage your schedule and client contacts. You can also use your PDA with Bluetooth and share its high speed data connection with a Bluetooth enabled laptop.
Both of these technologies offer up to Broadband speeds when you are on the road (based on location and coverage) so you can access information and communicate at the same speeds as being in the office.
Netbooks have become the tool of choice for the road warriors. When the size of a PDA will not work for longer term usage the Netbook offers the next best solution. A small laptop with enough processing power for document work, internet and email and the battery life, size and weight that gives the best in portability. See our products page for the best of breed Netbooks. Netbooks coupled with mobile broadband are becoming the norm - soon Netbooks with integrated mobile broadband will offered - AT&T are planning to sell the MSI Wind for $99 with an integrated broadband service - based on signing a new 2 year contract.
Wireless options
All of the major cellphone companies offer mobile access products, here is a rough guide to the setup and running costs for these services:
AT&T/Cingular - 3G high speed data card + lower speed Edge when not in High speed area
Limited use - 10Mb / month - (pay a higher charge if you go over quota) - $29.99
Unlimited data / month - $79.99
Unlimited with additional access to WiFi hotspots - $99.99
Data Cards from $99.99 online
Also has the ability to work internationally - international data roaming charges apply though.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile does not currently offer 3G (Broadband speed) access
Unlimited use but only 2G network (Edge) - $59.99 / month
Also has the ability to work internationally - international data roaming charges apply though.
Sprint/Nextel- 3G high speed data card + lower speed Edge when not in High speed area
Limited use - 40MB / month - $39.99
Unlimited data / month - $59.99
Data cards from $9.99 online with rebates and savings.
Verizon - 3G high speed data card + lower speed Edge when not in High speed area
Unlimited data / month - $59.99
Data cards, some offered FREE.
Most of these deals will have an activation charge like a normal cellphone.
This one-time cost is between $25-35.
GPS Navigation
All of your integrated communications solutions are working for you and you are spending less time in the office or home office - more time with clients!
You are getting new opportunities on the move now but how do you locate your clients?
GPS Navigation is available on cellphones, PDAs, laptops and in-car. Find your clients easily with turn by turn instructions to save time and have a less stressful journey.
Handsfree cellphones
The perils and challenges of the mobile office mean you often get calls on the move. The safest option is of course to let it go to voicemail. The next best solution is handsfree calling either with a corded headset or if your phone supports it a Bluetooth headset. Hook up or Hang up has more information here.