With Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere and connectivity seeping from lampposts as cities become smarter, the whole world is becoming a potential workplace. As ever, all you need are the right tools to do the job.
Here are our tips on how to work from anywhere, at any time.
Laptops should be fit for purpose
For working on the move, a laptop with a long-lasting battery will save you from dreary searches for a plug socket in crowded trains or coffee shops. You could opt for one of the new Cloudbooks, which offers the lightweight portability of the Google Chromebook with the ability to use Windows 10 and has up to 14 hours of battery life.
Print on the go
You can now print from your mobile device, as manufacturers have been busy developing apps and solutions to exploit the possibilities of wireless printing technology. There are even mobile printers that can be handy for printing out receipts on the move.
Use hands-free phone kits
You’ll need a hands-free kit if there’s absolutely no choice but to talk while you’re driving – for example, if you’re stuck in a traffic jam and late for an appointment. Having one to hand means you could hold business meetings or take calls while on the move.
Embrace tablet tech
Tablet computers provide an instant, portable and impressive platform for presenting your work or your wares to clients. There’s a wide range of add-ons available – from stands to keyboards – to make the most of your tablet technology.
Get a decent phone
The smartphone has been the key enabler of the mobile office – allowing remote access to emails and offering a world of productivity-enhancing apps to business users and casual callers alike. Just make sure you don’t forget to bring a charger. Using a smartphone will also enable you to manage your calendar perfectly – it can be essential when you’re on the move, and may need to be in Southampton one day and Skegness the next.
Get cloud storage
Cloud storage is another must-have for the travelling office. With apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud, your documents are available on any device anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi connection. Pay a small amount for access to mind-boggling amounts of space.
Do it with a dongle
You can’t do anything if you’re not connected, and the world is not yet a seamless source of fast Wi-Fi. A dongle for your laptop or tablet computer gives you non-stop internet access on the move, so don’t leave home without it.
With technology freeing up the spaces around us and turning any potential place into your next workspace, the world is your oyster – or office – and all it takes is the right equipment.
