4 Must have technologies for a mobile office - By: Fortune Eze

Trading in your desktop for a laptop and your office for a hotel room does not seem like a lot of changes but with the new and improving technologies now you need to know what are the essentials to have when you are on the go. You're liberated from your cubicle and free to go where your work takes you. But sometimes things change for the worse. Productivity suffers when you're in an unfamiliar place. The way a laptop keyboard cramps your hands is sometimes enough to keep you from getting the job done right.
Here are four technologies that any one must have for the mobile office, plus some tools that can boost your productivity while you're away.

The Right Software:
The right software could make a world of difference when you are on the road. A simple check to make sure you have all your software downloaded and establish the right access to your email will save you a lot of headache. It isn't just downloading the necessary applications onto your laptop or PDA, it is also knowing whether the programs are suited to a mobile office. These considerations can become big issues when you're travelling. Some of the contact-management software programs let you integrate data with your PDA, so you can download and synchronize contacts, calendar appointments and notes to your Palm Pilot or Pocket PC. There's also a web-based version for travelers who either lose their laptops or prefer to work from a desktop at their destination. Look for more integration between applications for wireless users. Contact managers are already assuming the role of email program, address book and database. The next step is making it more accessible to people who are using cell phones or PDAs.

The Right Hardware:
This is not about the latest or newest equipment in the market but about hardware that's created for life on the road. Let's face it: A lot of the gadgets on which mobile professionals depend aren't made with travelers in mind. A lot of the gadgets we rely on are traveler-hostile, impractical or both. However some hardware manufacturers are meeting the demand for traveler-friendly hardware with add-ons such as the Stowaway XT Keyboard. I've also been impressed with Microsoft's Mini Optical Mouse, which frees you from the restrictions of your laptop's finger-cramping mouse. As the technology for cell phones, PCs and PDAs are all being developed independent of each other it wouldn't surprise me to see devices that offer the ergonomic comfort of a desktop with the portability of a PDA. This can not come any sooner for the road champions I would say the moment is already right.

The Right Connections:
The right connection is more than everything for the mobile guy, simply put when you can't connect you can't work. It isn't just internet connections that matter, but also hooking up to other devices such as cell phones, PDAs and laptops. Technologies such as Bluetooth let you communicate with other devices in an office or hotel room without the need for cables. According to a recent AT and T study, the top barrier to working from a remote location is access to a high-speed data connection. Fast wireless networks are springing up everywhere — in hotels, airport lounges and coffee shops. And even though Bluetooth got off to a slow start, the concept behind it — which is to lose the wires — is fundamentally sound. It won't be long before Wi-Fi is as ubiquitous as cellular coverage and a majority of devices are Bluetooth-enabled. That's good news for those of us who work in a mobile office.

The Right Web Applications:
Because of the importance of web-based applications to mobile office I've decided to give them their own category, although they can technically belong in the "software" section. The web has graduated to become one of the most efficient ways for a mobile worker to gain access to a back-office system. My Internet Service Provider offers a fundamental application that lets me check my intranet email from the web. For most people like me a program like this one is indispensible because the intranet is a major part of the work and you are not allowed to use the regular email because of security. One of the most innovative Web applications is GoToMyPC , which lets you access the desktop in your home or office through the web. Another useful application for mobile users is web conferencing services such as Microsoft Office LiveMeeting. Expect these applications to become cheaper, more reliable and even more sophisticated.

For the on the go guys "I mean men and women" remembering to check for these four vital techs for mobile home will certainly make you feel at work when you are away.

About the Author

Mr. Ezeoha is a renowned and accomplished writer. Teaching and Educating on Business issues and ways to make lots of money. Very passionate about life and it's abundant nature, he has made a difference in the lives of so many. Read more of his Articles Here! Get his free ebook on how to make decent living online working from homeInternet Marketing Manual

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