Luckily, there are several options available to businesses. Best of all, most are affordable and many of them are free.
Equipment
First, you'll need to ensure that the necessary equipment for the job is in place.
A laptop or netbook (ultra-portable mini-laptop) is essential if any real computer work needs to be done while away from the office. Make sure it's Wi-Fi enabled so you can connect quickly to the internet and benefit from the free Wi-Fi access that many hotels provide. (Wi-Fi is a technology that enables you to access the internet wirelessly.)
If you only need to stay in touch by sending and receiving a few emails, and don't need to download and edit large or complicated files, then consider using a PDA or smartphone as your main connection device. These devices will enable you to access email, surf the web and send messages to colleagues. (See below for data roaming costs.)
If you need to make telephone calls while overseas, get your hands on a good headset. This will allow you reap the benefits of low-cost VoIP or internet telephony.
Making calls
As you prepare to depart, don't forget to divert your telephone calls to your mobile phone, or a landline at your final destination. But be aware of the potential for extra charges from your telecoms provider if you choose to divert telephone calls overseas.
Voice over IP
VoIP systems allow you to use the internet to make voice calls - making it perfect for staying in touch while at a remote location. And taking calls via VoIP means it doesn't matter what your location: as long as you have access to a broadband connection, customers can contact you as if you were in your own office.
Consider using Skype too. This internet telephony software package allows you to place calls overseas at a cost dramatically lower than those available from traditional telecoms companies. And if you call another Skype user, the call is free.
Mobile data roaming
Although mobile data roaming charges are set to fall thanks to new EU directives, they may still prove prohibitive for many companies, so use your mobile device for accessing the internet with caution.
Where there is 3G coverage, you can use mobile broadband. Vodafone, Three Ireland and O2 all offer mobile broadband products through either USB modems or PCMCIA cards.
However, your ability to roam using 3G will vary depending on the operator, the country you are roaming in and the level of 3G coverage in your local area.
3G is useful if you are working in the UK, for example, and need access to your email or web applications, but costs may become prohibitive - or the service may become unavailable - if you use mobile broadband while in the United States or further afield. Make sure you have worked out the costs before your journey to prevent nasty surprises on your next bill.
Virtual Private Networks
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are private networks of computers that are only partially connected by public phone lines. A VPN allows you to establish a secure link between a remote PC and your company's main computer network.
The most common example of a VPN is a private office LAN that allows users to log in remotely and securely over the internet. VPNs use encryption and secure protocols to ensure that data transmissions are not intercepted by unauthorised parties. VPNs can also provide complete access to all the files and folders on your company's network - meaning that you can access all your work-related files and folders while travelling.
Location
Before travelling, find out what kind of internet access will be available at your destination. Will you be using high-speed broadband or creaking dial-up? Is electricity -and consequently internet access - available 24 hours a day?
Find out whether your hotel has office facilities with internet access, telephones, and other business equipment. Keep control of costs by finding out in advance how much these services cost.
As long as appropriate precautions are taken, you can use hotel rooms and internet cafes as your remote office.
Yahoo, Hotmail and Google all provide email applications that can be downloaded to an internet-enabled mobile phone, allowing you to access your email from any location within mobile coverage.
Another useful mobile service is MobileMe. The service automatically syncs contacts and calendar appointments with your iPhone and other computers (including those using Windows). MobileMe provides several gigabytes of online storage, allowing you and your colleagues to access essential documents from any location. On the downside, the only smartphone MobileMe will sync with is Apple's.
Remote desktops
If you really need to have access to your desktop while away, there are several network options available, including VPNs. For businesses on a budget, dedicated internet-based remote desktop software can provide access to desktops without hefty hardware and installation costs.
A remote desktop product like GoToMyPc allows you to access files, programs and emails on your computer from any web browser or wireless device. Check out the GoToMyPc.com website for a free demo.
LogMeIn also provides remote access and desktop control software that allows you to access your files from anywhere with an internet connection. A free trial is available on the LogMeIn website.
Similarly, Microsoft's new Live Mesh software allows you to synchronise your files across all your devices, so that you can access your desktop from any device or from the web.
In the next issue, we'll outline the best ways to keep your data secure when travelling.