Portable office, how cloud computing on the Internet can set you free

Thanks to the aggressive use of computer technology and most importantly the Internet, I've figured out how to take my office and my business on the road. My office is now portable. If there is an Internet connection, I have all that I need.

This not a recent breakthrough but rather an evolution that has gained traction as Internet technology and applications have matured. I'm constantly discovering a new feature or tool that makes me more independent.

My business is information technology, but the concepts and techniques apply to virtually any service business from law to real estate, from consulting to sales... If your vocation or avocation thrives on information, you can take it on the road.

Years ago the futurists talked about the paperless office. That concept never proved attainable; but with today's technology we don't have to lug that paper trail with us where ever we go!

At our office we are chained to the physical trappings of the office: desk, file cabinets, telephone and our desktop computer with all its stored documents, pictures, Emails, etc. We seem to need these things to function. Yet we can leave them all behind and not miss a beat.

We can use technology and a little imagination to make our office truly portable.

I used to feel a need to take my laptop everywhere. It had all my important stuff right? I needed it to surf the web or check my Email didn't I? Hmmm, all of my customers, friends and family have computers so why am I lugging that iron around?

At first I was leaving my laptop in the car more and more. Finally I stopped talking the laptop automatically. Now I only take the laptop if I'm not sure I'll have easy access to a PC, or feel it would be an intrusion to borrow access, or need it for testing purposes.

Even on a plane, I'm more comfortable with my IPod or my Kindle which are smaller traveling companions.

Why carry a document when you can send it ahead? Email the document ahead to your destination and yourself. Use a web based Email address and client like GMail.

Why not copy valuable reference up to the Internet and make your file folders truly portable. I use GoogleDocs to hold material I reference constantly. I can access and update the information on the spot at a client's office.

I may not carry my laptop anymore, but I always put my USB drive in my pocket. The USB drive is an invaluable portable tool:

• No Internet connection right now? No problem if I can find a computer to access my USB drive.
• Carry documents with me.
• Pick up documents, pics, etc on the road to bring back to the office.
• Carry portable copies of key applications and utilities to make up for deficiencies on the borrowed computer. I have my own browser, PDF reader, etc.
• Client PC can't get on the Internet because of malware? No problem, since I have my diagnostic and cleanup tolls on the USB drive.

OK, I'm at the clients office and I absolutely need to look at an old Email in my Outlook on my desk computer. No problem. I have my PCs set up for secured remote access. If I can get to the Internet, I can get to my office computers and find what I need.

It takes me 30 seconds to go from problem to solution.

I'm at client A's office in Scottsdale. Client B from New York City calls with an emergency. All I need is permission to access the Internet and 30 seconds later I'm looking at client B's server or their PC desktop.

Some involve installation on the target PC, and others are temporary connections. All of the technical support providers use this technology. Many PC users aren't aware that they can bring this technology to their home PC.

There are a variety of remote access software and service options.

The cell phone is another liberator. Carry the phone with you and you are not tied to the office phone. This one is too obvious and somewhat overrated. The cell phone tempts us to multitask dangerously - drive and dial! The cell phone can also become intrusive, as it tempts us to answer calls in public situations which can be rude, or to answer while we are doing business, which can be inappropriate. Use with caution.

The smart phone is also over rated in my experience. Everybody starts out very exited by the phones features especially Email. Some are strong users and like the ability to synchronize with their desktop Outlook. However, many become disenchanted with the small screen and keyboard and end up using it primarily as a phone. Here are some smart phone reviews.