Information is power that business travel. It is one of its most valuable assets and you should take all measures to ensure their safety.
Take it from someone who has left his post without synchronsing your laptop and PC, which has wiped out days worth of work, because they forgot to install a backup system and even has lost clients because it ignored the importance of good and reliable information.
Do not make the same mistakes I have. This is what a career path has taught me about computer data:
5 Tips for trips
• Start every trip with a timing
Ensure that your PC and PDA are both up to date is pretty easy. Usually, just slide your hand in the cradle and the computer does the rest. PC synchronization with another is not so simple. I've tried every tool imaginable, including the one that comes with the computer operating system, and may be difficult. But it's definitely worth learning, because once you leave the office, I guarantee you'll be glad you updated your laptop.
• Do not rely on your computer
Memory cards that plug into your laptop are essential to the integrity of your data. And with some units now carrying up to 5 gigabytes of data (equivalent to a large number of documents) that can fit all the files you wish to keep a small stick. Andrew Steele, a media consultant to charities and nonprofit in Britain, usually make a double backup. It recently saved his trip. "I had a portable power source," says Steele. "So even when the battery runs out, finally, I could go on without embarrassment on borrowed equipment."
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Keep in touch with the office
There are several useful applications that let you connect to your computer or network from afar, including one's own Remote Desktop Connection from Microsoft. I like these options because you can catch up with all the information you may have forgotten to sync before leaving. My biggest gripe with these programs is that they tend to be slow - particularly with dial-up connection - making large data downloads impractical. But if you can not sync up before your trip, you can be a real lifesaver.
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Gather information - and a backup
Typically, small business travelers are good for collecting business cards, sales leads and receipts. But this valuable information does not always make it back to the office. My record was so inadequate when I started on a business trip that I missed many credit card payments. I ended up losing money because I could not get a refund.
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If in doubt, switch to paper
This advice is obvious, but it's so obvious that we sometimes forget that it is an option. We have become so dependent on our technology that does not remind you that only he could write the information down. My friend laughed at me when you print the names and addresses of people before leaving on a business trip. Why do that when everything was on the computer? Well, there is still some paper things can make a PC can not. Like operate without batteries. So when my laptop ran out of juice and I switched to paper, I did not look like a fool.
April 09, 2011, 01:19:42 PM