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Getting connected, getting ahea... Keeping your phone secure by number... Tracking system gives hijackers no place... A mobile office in your pocke... Never having to say you're sorr... The new digital technology lets its voic... Who's afraid of a little extra competiti... In touch with the outside worl... Smart usage can cut your cost... Bad driving under the cellular influenc... High-speed data transfer the next ste... |
A mobile office in your pocketJUST five years ago it was difficult to work anywhere but in an office as most people relied heavily on telephones to conduct their businesses. With the advent of laptop computers and cellphones, however, all that changed. Now you can do business from just about anywhere - an airport lounge, a supermarket parking lot or from your favourite chair at home. The mobile office is now a serious option for corporate workers who spend a lot of time on the road and for people with small businesses who do not want, or cannot afford, the heavy overheads of hiring expensive office space and equipment. It is a much cheaper option to conduct business using a high-end PC and cellphone - and easier now than ever before. Most newer cellphones come equipped with a wide range of communication options and with the right software, a PC or laptop can double as a fax machine - for those still using fax as opposed to E-mail. Sending data long distances over the air used to be a fairly lengthy process - but no longer with the introduction of new GSM digital cellular technology. The GSM specification makes it possible to connect a GSM cellular phone to a special data/fax adapter that is plugged into a PC, PDA (personal digital assistant), notebook or palmtop. You can literally have a mobile office sitting snugly inside your coat pocket. These data facilities allow people to send and receive critical business data in real time. One company canvassed expects a 12-14% increase in productivity in 1997 because of their portable office's remote accessibility facilities. Portable devices linked to cellphone networks can log on to the Internet or connect to an office network from anywhere there is cellular coverage. You can also send and receive faxes or use the technology for security applications like sending live PC video via the network to control centres thousands of kilometres away. While the up-front cost of this technology is high, the long-term savings can be great. What you need is a cellphone, a modem (which connects a computer and the phone) and an account with a cellular service provider. The total package costs around R20 000, including software. Balance that against the overheads of setting up a dedicated office and the reason to go mobile becomes compelling.
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