Business Travel Tips

According to a survey conducted by The Ponemon Institut, over 10,000 laptops are lost or stolen each week at U.S. airports, with half them containing confidential corporate information.

The study was released last month as Dell, which sponsored it, introduced its new laptop data protection services for business travelers. Security industry executive Richard Stiennon, suggested advice on how to avoid laptop loss at the airport security checkpoint.

1. First, you should keep your laptop separated from the person behind you and in front of you. In order to do it, place your laptop in the first bin at the checkpoint with laptop bag placed in front of it. Put a second bin with your shoes, belt, wallet, etc. right behind your laptop. Your carry-on bag should go last. The first thing you should do on the other side is put your laptop in its briefcase.
2. Mark your laptop with a sticker.
3. If you lose your laptop contact the TSA immediately. Call the airport.

Last week, Delta Air Lines, in partnership with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), began testing paperless mobile check-in for domestic travel from New York-LaGuardia (LGA) to any U. S. airport.

Checking in online from the comfort of home or office has become quite popular, but Delta’s paperless mobile check-in means that, the check-in process can take place from anywhere, at any time within 24 hours of flight departure.

If the test will be successfully completed in LaGuardia, Delta will leverage paperless check-in across its domestic system, to and from any U. S. airport. (source)

Live Luggage has just introduced suitcases that have motors built into the wheels, an innovation making easier carrying luggage through the airport. These suitcases — PA (Power Assist), have motors built into the wheels and force sensors integrated in the handle.

Concerning the battery life and distance you can run, Live Luggage says: “Under average conditions, using a combination of inclines, uneven ground and flat surfaces you should see a minimum of 2 hours battery life from a fully charged unit […] Our tests resulted with an average distance of 1 3/4 miles with a 32 kg load”.

Features include:
* Flat motor technology built into the wheels
* Anti-gravity handle putting 85% of the weight over the wheels
* TSA approved combination locks
* Stress frame technology for additional strength and weight reduction
* Live Locator™ ID - a unique ID to help locate your suitcase in the event of loss
* Force sensors and tilt switches
* Unique umbrella storage (umbrella included)

For those who, after knowing the price — $1365, are still interested to it, here the link to Live Luggage website.

According to a survey sponsored by travel specialist Amadeus and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), very few businesses have incorporated new mobile services into their corporate travel programmes.

The study, which polled 100 corporate travel managers and technology experts worldwide on their views of how mobile IT is impacting the sector, shows 80 per cent of businesses are aware of the benefits of the use of mobile IT, from increases in productivity of travelers, to improvements in safety and tracking of staff.

However, despite the businesses believe mobile technology will increase productivity and support corporate policy compliance, they have made little progress in implementing changes to their infrastructure.

According to the report, one of the chief benefits of mobile technology felt by the respondents was tracking and communication of travelers for security purposes. (source)

Despite it is aimed first at the business audience, the new BlackBerry Bold is a smartphone loaded with multimedia features to catch the eye of the retail customer.

This new version of the BlackBerry comes with a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capability, and a media player for watching movies and managing music collections.

BlackBerry Bold’s main features include:
- HSDPA connectivity;
- WiFi;
- GPS capabilities;
- 2-megapixel camera;
- media player;
- iTunes support.

The Bold is expected on store this summer and will cost between $300 and $400. AT&T will be its lead carrier in the United States.