How do you keep your business running while you’re on the move? Shivvy Jervis reviews the best of mobile tech
As a futurist, keynote speaker and founder of an innovation advisory firm, I know first-hand how vital it is to maximise your time both on the ground and in the air. This is where powerful, versatile mobile tech can power those efforts. So here are some of the lesser known nifty services, apps and platforms that will help you on the go.
Security
If you think your phone’s passcode is enough to protect your information, think again. Fewer than 15% of us have installed an antivirus app and just 8% of us have installed software that can remotely erase data on the phone. First, set a passcode with more than four digits.
For mobile antivirus, my top choices are Avast, Bitdefender and Lookout. And for encrypted messaging, there’s a multitude of choices: Signal, Telegram, Line, WhatsApp, and many more. If you’d like to take this a step further and encrypt everything on your device, investigate open source tools such as VeraCrypt or AES Crypt, which use standards widely vetted by an informed security community.
Scheduling
When determining upcoming schedules, it’s likely that you’re used to threading this planning into short, staccato moments in transit. How about automating the tedious aspects? Virtual assistant x.ai will actively respond on your behalf to contacts trying to reach you by engaging in live email dialogue with them. I’ve used the service for a while now and I love the fact that important meetings are neatly confirmed and slotted into my diary while I’ve been blissfully soaring at atmospheric height.
Evie is another AI assistant that optimises resources to make meetings more productive, with integrations for Chrome and Slack. TripIt will collate all the information from airline and hotel apps and all you need to do is forward all the info to a designated email address and it does the rest. Clever.
Connectivity
Access to internet and secure networks is a top priority for most travellers. If I’m using a public wifi network that’s spotty or too slow for me to work, NetSpot and WiFi Manager can help find uncluttered networks and the right location to access them. If you’re transmitting sensitive information, you’ll need a secure network.
Whenever I must use an unprotected network, I use a VPN to mask my traffic and protect the flow of any sensitive data. A good VPN for desktop is Astrill, while TunnelBear is a really affordable and reliable option for mobile. When there’s no reliable wifi, use a data roaming USB dongle from WorldSIM, which works in 188 countries and runs on a prepaid basis – much cheaper than most carriers’ roaming charges.
Money
Ensuring all business spending needs are in one place, and making it easy to keep control of employee finances on the move, is critical. And if, like me, you also need to keep decision-makers informed of cash flow, Soldo is a brilliant tool. It even integrates directly with accounting software (no more irksome population of spreadsheets). Since the start of November, Soldo has integrated with Xero to help streamline everything from spending and reconciliation to accounting.
Data
Cloud-based apps can help you handle large volumes of data on the go. Domo brings together data, systems and people for a digitally connected business, delivering real-time insight on financial and regulatory changes, and communicating value to investors, analysts and employees.
Google Data Studio is a free product that can collect data streams from virtually any source you desire, enabling you to create custom dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to stay informed and pass information to your team.
And when you want to get under the hood of your business, have a play with crystal.ai. The tool examines data from your marketing, sales, CRM, operations, and even internet of things platforms – and delivers insights in natural language you can understand.
What's hot
No more connection woes
Fed up with turning up in a client’s office and struggling to get your laptop or phone connected to their presentation screen? That’s just one of the scenarios tackled by Airtame, a tiny wireless device that plugs into the HDMI port of any screen or projector and instantly streams your content. It’s also perfect for digital signage – using otherwise blank screens to showcase your content.
Airtame2, €399, airtame.com
Go paperless
The paperless society may not be here yet, but the Rocketbook Everlast is helping us on the way. It looks like a classic notebook, but it’s connected to the cloud. You upload your notes – written with a Pilot Frixion pen – wipe it clean and start again. As the name suggests, it should last forever.
£34.99, getrocketbook.co.uk