Innovative Power Supplies For
Mobile Workers
by Laura Chapman
by Laura Chapman
Technology finally appears to
be catching up with the mobile worker, allowing for more and more professionals
to operate effectively outside of the office. There are two major obstacles the
world has worked to overcome in recent years, internet access and power.
Through 3G networks, internet
access is improving for out-of-office workers, providing a wealth of benefits.
Interactive maps allow individuals to easily find specific locations, while
cloud computing means travelling workers can access company files from beyond
the physical confines of the workplace.
Power supplies in laptops and
phones differ greatly from brand to brand, and again depending upon an
individual’s personal usage. Typically, a business person working away from the
office will require more than the average amount of power during the day. If
you run out of battery it can cause many difficulties. In the event of a
business emergency, where can an out-of-office worker locate a power supply?
Mobile
power sources
Rail
travel
Some trains now offer both Wi-Fi
and power points for mobile phones and laptops to make life easier for mobile workers.
This can be extremely beneficial to businesses as it means travel time can be utilized
more effectively – preparation which may once have been limited to office hours
can be done on the way to a client visit. If you require Wi-Fi and power
for your electronic devices, check with the rail company before you book your
seat.
Travelling
by road
Travelling
by foot
The most innovative device
for charging up your mobile technology comes in the form of a back pack. The Voltaic
OffGrid Solar Backpack charges mobile phones, tablets and notebooks using
the power of the sun, so it’s ideal if you’re travelling on foot, on a train
with no chargers or even planning on working al fresco.
The travel gadget features a removable solar pocket
which captures and stores the sun’s energy to be transferred to your mobile
devices – and also boasts 1,500 cubic inches of space in which to store
everything you need for the ultimate mobile office. If that’s not enough space
or you simply don’t like the style of the carrier, you can attach the solar
panel to other bags to provide a stylish power solution wherever you are. They
can be attached to basically anything which will be in the sun, such as bike
racks or even your suit.
The backpack’s solar panels
are lightweight, waterproof and relatively robust so you don’t have to worry
about stepping out in the rain or being jostled about on public transport. As
you travel in the daylight the panels will charge up on the go – but you can also
charge up the universal USB battery before your trip by using a USB from a
laptop or by using a DC or an AC cable. The battery will charge using a power
source in 5.5 hours, or by using the sun in 7 hours of direct sunlight. The
battery offers up to 19 hours of talk time for mobile phones – and for just one
hour charging in the sun you will benefit from three hours talk time.
When using the sunlight to
charge the backpack you are utilizing sustainable resources to power your
equipment. On top of that, the backpack is manufactured from recycled plastic
bottles (PET), assuaging even the greenest conscience.
In terms of what you can
carry, the bag has been designed with business users in mind, offering a padded
laptop pocket and mobile phone pouch on the shoulder strap of the pack. Plus,
it boasts internal wire channels which allow you to charge up your devices
while you’re on the move.
Mobile technology has come on
leaps and bounds in recent years making working out of the office more of a
realistic possibility than it has ever been before.
