FEATURE
The smartphone is becoming an essential tool for executives on the move – and a platform delivering a new generation of travel services.
The mobile
revolution L
ook around any airport lounge today and you’ll see almost every business traveler tapping or chatting on some kind of smartphone. The ability to get email on the move was a revolution when the BlackBerry®
was launched as the mobile device of
choice for busy executives. Such advances get quickly integrated into the way business is transacted. People’s expectations are for ever faster, smoother, richer communication – wherever and whenever they want it.
Duty of care While some may bemoan the ubiquity of mobile communications, the mobile device is now instrumental in keeping people safe when they are traveling. Duty of care legislation now requires companies to demonstrate effective management of risk to their employees. Even on the most routine trips travelers want peace of mind that they have the information they need and that if something does go unexpectedly awry, they can quickly get help. If they are visiting a remote or unfamiliar location, or if they are a woman traveling alone, then these assurances become even more important. “Having your mobile in hand to make a call isn’t enough”, says Ian Baker, Product Director for Online Services at International SOS. “Through devices like the PDA, BlackBerry®
and iPhone®
device is now instrumental in keeping people safe when they are traveling
“ The mobile ” companies can build comprehensive travel security services.”
Increased expectations “There have been two key technical advances in mobile communications that are changing the way business travelers and their employers address the risks of travel”, Ian continues. First was the arrival of the smartphone. The BlackBerry®
revolutionized business communication because it was the first
robust solution for delivering email on the move. The other major advance was the development of browsers on mobile devices and the availability of data to complete transactions over the web. As Ian points out, all kinds of organizations now have mobile-enabled versions of their websites for travelers to book cars, air tickets, hotels. “As a result there are hugely increased expectations among business travelers to rely more heavily on their mobiles and leave their laptops in their luggage.”
Mobile-enabled TravelTracker International SOS’ first major product to harness these advances is its TravelTracker Mobile through which users can access International SOS’ market- leading TravelTracker online tool using their smartphone device.
“In essence this an on-the-go enhancement to our existing TravelTracker service at no extra charge”, says Ian. TravelTracker Mobile gives security and travel security professionals the ability to view, locate and contact globally mobile employees anywhere, anytime and from any one of more than 5,000 mobile devices. “Travel security and risk management specialists are often on the move themselves”, says Ian. “So the convenience of TravelTracker Mobile can become
invaluable. If disaster strikes, they don’t need their laptop to hand.
Hotline Silver Edition, 2010 13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28