Intro:
The digital era continues to allow business professionals and entrepreneurs to thrive.
During 2020 and 2021, technologies that Silicon Valley rolled out in the late-2000s proved that it could handle remote work. The infrastructure allowed corporations to keep operating even though their staff worked from home and worldwide.
Technology helps business owners accomplish several feats. It helps reduce redundancies and human error. Moreover, technology allows small business owners to compete with corporations and enterprises.
Small business owners who travel no longer miss a beat, especially solopreneurs. Smartphones, laptops, and tablets make completing business tasks on the go possible.
Electronic devices, coupled with productivity apps and software, become more powerful. Entering 2023, it’s possible to film movies with just an iPhone. It’s also possible to run businesses from laptops and tablets.
We list five small business technologies to use for travel.
Table of Contents
1. Smartphone
All corporate travelers benefit from investing in smartphones. The mini laptops have enough processing power to make and receive phone calls, answer emails, and surf the web.
It’s possible to track the weather, airline departure times, and expenses from the latest versions.
The iPhone proved that business professionals could run their companies remotely. Then, the rest of the industry developed its own versions, and their options can also accomplish some remarkable feats.
2. Productivity Apps
Smartphones become more powerful when users download productivity apps. Some favorite productivity apps include:
- Microsoft Office
- Google Suite
- Slack
Top travel productivity apps include:
- Google Maps
- Uber
- Airbnb
- GasBuddy
- Expedia
Moreover, most airlines and hotels offer app versions of their websites for Android and iOS devices.
It’s possible to manage travel expenses on productivity apps for your smartphone. Small business owners can also keep track of employee travel expenses on the right apps, including allowances and per diem taxes.
Learn more about per diem taxes from Hotel Engine.
3. Laptop
Next, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and business professionals should invest in laptops. Smartphones remain convenient pieces of technology. However, they have limited processing power.
Laptops can handle graphic design, video editing, and presentation building. Plus, they travel well.
Instead of carrying stacks of documents, save them on the laptop and print them once you reach your destination.
4. Productivity Software
Like smartphones, laptops become more powerful when coupled with productivity software.
The same apps available for smartphones are made available for laptops, such as:
- Microsoft Office
- Google Suite
- Adobe
Thanks to the processing power, they make laptops more productive.
Plus, the bigger screen sizes are better for the eyes of professionals who need to work for a few hours.
5. Tablet
Tablets have multi-purpose functions. A cross between smartphones and laptops, it’s another great technology solution that small business owners can add to their arsenal.
Tablets have replaced POS systems in some cases. Hook up the tablet to the internet and appropriate components. Then, download the appropriate software.
Together, the components allow tablets to become mobile processing systems that enable entrepreneurs to take payments indoors and outdoors.
6. WiFi Access
Data plans and Wifi access power the electronic devices listed above. However, it’s not possible to purchase data plans for laptops. Instead, professionals need to find WiFi signals. Then, connect to them.
Most smartphones can become WiFi hotspots for laptops. In addition, entrepreneurs should invest in separate hotspot devices. Depending on your needs, you can purchase device data plans or pay-as-you-go pin numbers.
You won’t find yourself without access to reliable WiFi in an emergency.
7. Mobile Payments
Business travelers should carry more than one payment form, such as cash and credit cards. Individuals cannot pay with credit cards when the power goes out – that’s why cash has not become obsolete.
Some entrepreneurs double as early adopters. Therefore, they have invested in crypto and know what retailers accept as payment. If the power goes out, crypto falls into the same boat as credit cards.
However, entrepreneurs should arm themselves with multiple payment forms, including mobile, just in case they lose their wallets or smartphones on the road.
Conclusion
Small businesses must find cost-effective ways to compete with corporations and enterprises. The same technologies that help them complete business tasks at the office help small business owners travel. Smartphones, laptops, and tablets travel well. Download productivity software to make each more potent.