With summer holidays right around the corner, people around the globe will be taking time away from the office to take vacations and spend time with families and friends. However, today’s always-connected environment makes keeping in touch with the office an important part of careers even while on vacation. Realizing that, it might be a good time to talk about some of the products either available now or coming out in the next few weeks and months that will allow employees to stay connected with the office while they’re away on vacation or simply traveling on the road. Some of the following products, like Apple’s iPad and iPhone, are great for mobile travelers, while other solutions, like Outlook, can be accessed from anywhere. Simply put, the following devices will keep everyone connected no matter where they might be in the world. And in the process, those folks won’t need to come back to mountains of work following a vacation, and companies can be sure that their people are staying productive even while they’re taking time off. Here’s a look.
of
1. The RIM BlackBerry Torch Considering the popularity of the BlackBerry in today’s corporate world, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the BlackBerry Torch smartphone will be used by many to stay in touch with the office. The device comes with all the BlackBerry features employees need, including the ability to access e-mail and connect to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
2. Apple iPad 2 During a call with investors earlier this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that his company’s iPad is becoming more popular in the enterprise, and many of the world’s top firms are considering bringing the device to their operations. Realizing that, and considering employees won’t have trouble connecting their work emails to their own personal iPad 2 units, it wouldn’t be a surprise if those folks used the tablets to stay in touch with what’s going on at work.
3. Office 365 Microsoft’s recently announced Office 365 is one of the more high-powered solutions the software giant has released in years. And with it, employees can easily stay in touch with what’s happening at work by accessing Outlook, collaborating with colleagues in Sharepoint, and more. The only way for employees to use Office 365, however, is if their companies deploy it.
4. Apple iPhone 4 Although the iPhone 4 hasn’t necessarily caught on in the enterprise, the device is a wildly popular consumer product. And while employees are away on vacation, companies should expect their workers to access corporate e-mail from their iPhones. Like it or not, the iPhone 4 is at times, an unauthorized corporate companion for workers.
5. RIM BlackBerry PlayBook RIM’s recently launched BlackBerry PlayBook tablet isn’t necessarily a major consumer winner, but the product is catching on in some companies. Realizing that, many workers, especially those on-the-go, will likely use the device to stay connected with what’s happening in the office. They’ll be able to access e-mail from the device and engage in video chats with those back at the office.
6. The HP TouchPad The upcoming HP TouchPad might prove to be one of the more compelling iPad alternatives on the market. The device runs WebOS, a new entry into the tablet space, and will allow users to check e-mail, surf the Web, and engage in other activities that might have something to do with their jobs. And considering HP’s stance as an enterprise-friendly company, it might not be long before the TouchPad makes its way into some operations.
7. Google Voice Though Google Voice isn’t always discussed as an enterprise solution, the service could be a key player in keeping employees connected this summer. Google Voice allows users to connect their many different phones to a single account. When the Google Voice number is called, it rings on a specific device. However, if the person doesn’t answer, the phone will ring on all other phones connected to the account. With Google Voice in tow, employees are just one phone call away, no matter where they are in the world.
8. Outlook Microsoft’s Outlook platform has been the go-to e-mail solution for companies around the globe for quite some time. And in many cases, employees access their work e-mail accounts through an Exchange server. Considering that, and considering most employees will be surfing the Web no matter where they go that summer, they shouldn’t find it too difficult to check their work e-mail accounts while away from the office.
9. Google Apps For Business If some employees use Office 365 to stay connected with the office this summer, others will undoubtedly use Google Apps for Business. That platform, which costs companies $50 per user per year, will allow employees to log on to the Web and see everything from shared documents to e-mails sent to their corporate accounts.
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Like the iPad 2, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a decidedly consumer-focused tablet. However, it’s widely considered the best Android alternative to the iPad 2. Realizing that, many consumers will be opting for the Galaxy Tab 10.1. And on those devices, they should have easy access to their work e-mail accounts.
Intel Technology Provider Program
Intel Technology Provider Program (ITP) helps resellers better understand Intel products which power the technology they sell, and enables value-add services such as remote manageability or anti-theft tracking. Learn More
WindowsForDevices.com
WindowsForDevices.com is the comprehensive news site covering Windows embedded technologies. Visitors get news, technical white papers, opinion columns and extensive directories covering the products and companies in the marketplace. Click Here
10 Key Ingredients That Have Made Apple So Successful
10 Reasons RIM`s New CEO Won`t Fix the Company
Eight IT Jobs Skills That Win Six-Figure Salaries
Social Media Best Practices to Land that Dream Job
Channel Executives On The Move: 2012
Why SOPA Is Such A Big Issue
See All Slideshows
