 Sign of the times
Remember the early days of mobile technology? You loved it when the mobile team was at the office — as productive as their sedentary counterparts and not a risk to network and business security. Nowadays, walking away from the office means anything but loss of productivity, connectivity and security. In fact, the notebook may now be one of the most relied on computing devices.
With the myriad of mobile technology out there, what equipment is absolutely required to keep your mobile team productive? And which tools should you deploy to secure your technology investment and business data?
Truly mobilize those on the go
Choosing which gear to equip your mobile sales or customer service team with takes a moment of contemplation. It’s a good idea to ask the following questions to make the best purchasing decision:
- Which devices meet the team’s needs at the office?
- Where will the team predominately be while on the road?
- What type of data should reside on the mobile PCs?
- What additional security measures should be considered to protect their hardware and data?
- Which accessories are an absolute must?
Once you’ve got the answers, you’ll be ready to outfit your mobile team with the tools to stay productive — all without risking the safety of your network and mobile equipment.
Hardware to go
The days of wiping out your budget to purchase lightweight, durable desktop replacements are over. Energy-efficient, powerful, wireless- and Internet-ready technology durable enough to withstand the rigors of the road is a much more reasonable and scalable investment now.
The next deciding hardware factor depends on how much data your end users expect to access and how much you would like to restrict external access to the network. If carrying copies of e-mails and other documents is sufficient, you may want to consider USB flash drives. These little, cost-effective devices, often referred to as thumb drives, are a great transfer and storage method for critical files.
With gigabytes of data at hand and without direct access to your network, your mobile team can have more than what it needs to get the job done. But remember, these handy devices do present a security risk — what’s easily shared can be easily lost or tampered with.
Accessorize your mobile team
The list of accessories for mobile users is virtually endless. Yet, some are necessary for security and business purposes, while others will help make life easier for the end user. Here are a few you may want to consider for your team:
- Portable projector — Super light, super bright and affordable, it’s the ideal accessory to project that professional image for the sales, interactive customer service or customer acquisition team.
- Wireless router — Let your notebook users roam free while at the office. A wireless connection at the office can help increase productivity, enabling movement throughout the office without losing network access.
- Additional power — When wired power is not an option, some extra fuel is a good idea. Keep in mind that batteries with larger fuel cells offer longer life, but also add extra weight.
- Converters and adapters — Ideal for frequent national and international flyers; newer planes often feature in-seat outlets that require an adapter, while different countries necessitate converters for phone or power connections.
- Carrying case — Undoubtedly an essential accessory, most cases are universal to fit any notebook brand. Beyond personal style preference and notebook protection, making sure the case accommodates all necessary equipment is the most vital factor when choosing the right carrying case.
Lock it down; lock them out
Mobile security is a slightly different beast than on-site network security. So before you let your mobile team out in the wild, consider a few extra steps to protect your technology investment.
When it comes to notebook security, there are two areas of concern: the confidential data on the hard drives and the actual technology assets. While you can’t prevent damage, theft or loss at all times, there are some measures you can take to significantly decrease the risk:
- Start safeguarding notebooks with the same security you provide to all desktop computers.
- Keep up with all patches, versions and configurations of operating systems and all security applications.
- Authenticate every user to their notebook to restrict unauthorized use.
- Backup data in case of notebook loss or theft.
- Always encrypt sensitive data if placed on a mobile hard drive.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) for users to connect to the network.
- Exterior protection, such as alarms or cables, will help deter prying eyes and thieves.
Let CDW help you with your mobile technology solution
Your CDW account manager can help you navigate the array of technologies available to you. We are here to help you identify which remote access tools best fit your mobile team. We will help you with network security configuration and mobile accessories to safeguard your business and technology investment.
For more information, contact your account manager, %%AM_FNAME%% %%AM_LNAME%%, at %%AM_PHONE%%.
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Tips for IT
Here’s how to make your mobile team feel like they never left the office.• Determine what type of data will reside on the mobile computer’s hard drive. If there is sensitive data, include network and backup options for the users.
• Choose travel-worthy, durable notebooks that can withstand the rigors of the road.
• Consider the total cost of the technology, including desktop and help-desk support.
• Always store a copy of all applications. Notebooks can get lost. In that event, keeping a copy to place on a new notebook will save time and frustration for you and those on the road.
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