Bursting the Mobile Productivity Bubble
IT Director (08/14/07) ; Bamforth, Rob

Critics warn that providing workers with mobile technology will not automatically turn them into more productive workers. Experts indicate employers not only need to train workers in the use of the technology, but also in efficient time management. Devices should be user-friendly and well integrated to minimize distractions when working outside the office. Additionally, managers need to be trained in how to best manage mobile workforces and virtual teams, and workers' personal goals should mesh with the company's business goals. Finally, the effects of mobility on the workforce should be measured by firms.
http://www.it-director.com/business/content.php?cid=9712

Web 2.0 Integration Poses Challenges and Rewards
SearchSMB.com (08/14/07) ; Connolly, James M.

Experts say small firms need to implement Web 2.0 applications, such as blogs and wikis, in order to remain competitive. They would be wise to integrate them with existing IT infrastructure, especially since many employees already access such Web 2.0 sites as MySpace and YouTube in the office. By taking a proactive approach to Web 2.0, companies can prevent unsecured file swapping and other activities that jeopardize the performance of the company network. Marketing Directions Inc. principal Steve Borsch recommends companies implement enterprise-ready Web 2.0 applications to minimize security threats, paying close attention to how they can further business operations and their impact on the company network. U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Chief Technology Officer Robert Gourley says continued monitoring of Web 2.0 applications, constant testing, and obtaining user feedback are among the things companies should do to ensure effective integration.
http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid44_gci1268007,00.
html

Get Smart: A Guide to Smartphones
Small Business Computing (08/08/07) ; Blackwell, Gerry

Smartphones--which can cost anywhere between $100 and $600--are being embraced by both corporate executives and small business employees who need to access email, calendars, contact databases, and the Internet outside the office. There are five specific criteria to consider when purchasing smartphones, most importantly which operating system the phone uses. While almost every model has the same basic features, there are distinct differences between the three major operating systems: Windows Mobile, Symbian, and Blackberry. Symbian has the most variety of add-on applications, while some experts believe BlackBerry has a top-notch user interface; Windows Mobile has been deemed the most user-friendly due to its similarities to Windows-based computers. Users also should consider screen size, whether they would rather thumb-type using a QWERTY keyboard or touch-type on the screen using a stylus, and what wireless network technology is employed by their carriers.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/369
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Wireless USB Will Help Cut the Cords
USA Today (08/07/07) ; Kessler, Michelle

Laptops featuring Wireless USB technology will soon be released by Dell and Lenovo. With Wireless USB, printers and PCs can be linked without cables, provided they are no more than 30 feet away from one another. The technology can send huge files in a shorter period of time than Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and WiMax, meaning that it will take just seconds to send large documents to the printer. The USB ports located on various electronic devices ultimately will be replaced by Wireless USB; but in the meantime, users will have access to Wireless USB functionality through adapters that are plugged into the ports.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2007-08-07-wirelessusb_N.ht
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Workers Are Turning Their Cars Into Their Offices
Daily Record (N.J.) (08/06/07) ; Wilkowe, Ellen S.

In an effort to boost productivity, mobile workers increasingly are equipping their cars with the latest gadgets so that they can take care of business while driving or sitting in traffic. The number of workers who do business in the driver's seat once a month or more rose to 24 million in 2006 from 21 million in 2005, according to Scottsdale, Ariz.-based WorlatWork. Vehicles are being decked out with laptops, PDAs, cell phones, and GPS systems so that workers can send and receive emails and text messages and place and answer telephone calls while on the road. Some professionals have even conducted conference calls from behind the wheel. Many companies are willing to spend the money on such mobile offices to reap the benefits of higher productivity, but experts say there are several drawbacks to car offices. Talking on the phone and sending emails while driving can be dangerous, and experts note that workers who are always out of the office tend to feel isolated and need face-to-face interaction with colleagues from time to time.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070806/LI
FE05/708060324/1004/LIFE

Can You Hear Me Now?
SmallBizResource (08/06/07) ; Koegler, Scott

Small businesses and home office users interested in boosting cellular signals indoors should consider Wi-Ex's zBoost YX510. For $400, they can install a dual-band unit that works with numerous cell phones from different carriers, with a coverage area of 2,500 square feet. Users need only install the zBoost antenna in an area with a good cell phone signal and connect it to the booster unit via coax cable. The biggest challenge associated with installation is running the cable through the walls. After SmallBizResource columnist Scott Koegler installed the unit in his basement, which lacked a cellular signal, his phone's signal strength rose to 4 bars.
http://www.smallbizresource.com/document.asp?doc_id=130933

Power Up Your PowerPoints
Entrepreneur (08/01/07) ; Kooser, Amanda C.

On the road PowerPoint presentations can help sales staff and others land contracts and investments with the help of portable projectors, which can use Digital Light Processing or LCD technology. The lightweight Planar PR6020, priced at $1,199, has an easily accessible menu that lets users adjust such things as color and brightness; but experts warn the machine puts out a lot of heat. Those interested in reducing lamp replacement costs may want to consider the Dell 3400MP, as the $1,149 projector's lamp lasts upwards of 4,000 hours. Mobile workers in need of wireless functionality should check out the 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi-compatible Epson PowerLite 1715c. Priced at just under $2,000, the machine is suitable for multimedia presentations, as it also features full-screen MPEG video and audio. Other suitable options include the $1,099 ViewSonic PJ358, with short throw distance capabilities, as well as the $699 Toshiba TDP-FF1AU, the $599 BenQ MP510, and the $499 InFocus Work Big IN24.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/august/181
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