5 Pieces of Technology You Forgot to Pack for Your Business Trip Overseas

You’ve been waiting for it since your first interview — you knew your company frequently had dealings with non-domestic businesses, and you’ve been itching to meet some clients or visit a conference in a foreign country. You’ve finally been asked to attend to some important business in a brand new country. But hold on a minute; before you just throw some dress shirts in a carry-on and head to the nearest airport, stop to consider what you will really need when you’re trying to conduct business that far away from the office. Here is some crucial tech you probably forgot about when you were packing your bag; without them, you might be able to see your clients, but you probably won’t be able to dazzle them.

Satellite Phone

By now, your smartphone is an extension of your arm; of course you’re going to take it with you on your fancy, important trip. I bet you didn’t even realize that they probably don’t have the same cell towers wherever you’re going, so that essential piece of tech you always have with you will be more or less meaningless.

Instead of trying to figure out how to change your domestic plan to something that will work internationally — which is not only a headache but an ache in the wallet as well, especially considering the short time you’ll be there — you should really look into investing in or renting a satellite phone. Satphones are extremely durable, not to mention flexible to budgets, and you don’t have to commit to a pricey extended plan if you only need it for a week or two. Check out your options at GlobalCom Satellite Phone to make sure you’ll be able to communicate while you’re overseas.

Universal Power Adapter

Tech takes energy and energy comes from the plug in the wall. In order for everything to go smoothly, you’ll need to charge up your most crucial devices, but if your devices’ chargers use U.S. plugs — that is, the 10-amp 2-prong variety — you might be stuck with tech but no power. Look into what type of outlets your trip’s destination primarily uses, and find an adapter that will fit both ends.

Portable Router

If you’re going to need to go online while you’re overseas, you best not trust you’ll have the ubiquity of Wi-Fi you’re used to in the U.S. Instead of free Wi-Fi in coffee shops or hotels, many places outside America require an additional fee to connect to the Internet. Plus, you might find the Wi-Fi signal low or slow, making your work too frustrating to bear.

Look into travel routers to make your Web woes disappear. These portable routers connect more easily to hotel or store Internet connections, giving you free, fast access wherever you go. You have plenty of options if you have specific Internet needs — and some routers even recharge your devices while they’re plugged in.

Universal Charger

Even with our wireless world, we’re still reliant on cords to keep us running. While you’re conducting business, you’re going to have at least six or seven crucial pieces of technology that need recharging every day or so, which means you’ll need your chargers to keep you up and running.

You can throw all your cords in your carry-on to get tangled and possibly misplaced, or you can buy a universal charger. The name is perhaps misleading — it is not one plug to rule them all, but rather one plug to bind them. One plug leads to a head full of all the different sizes and shapes of device inputs you could imagine. You’re sure to find a universal charger option that can hook up all your devices.

Small Laptop or Tablet

I know you’re not planning on packing up your desktop and checking it as luggage — but are you sure you need a full-sized laptop to do your work while you’re away? Companies today generally own servers or cloud space that allows their employees to do work at home or on-the-go, which means you don’t need mammoth amounts of RAM to do business. Instead, sync up with your company’s network with a small laptop, netbook or tablet computer. Though your screen will be smaller, computers this size are easier to transport and store. However, make sure your smaller device has the capacity to hook up with others in your destination country; additionally, you should consider your presentation needs, as you might need to use your computer to display information for large groups of people.

Posted by Steve Manley

Mike B.

I recently went fly-fishing in Ascension Bay Mexico and brought along my Globalstar phone. I recently went fly-fishing in Ascension Bay Mexico and brought along my Globalstar phone. Cameras should have been there to see the smiles on everyone who used it, able to talk to their families and friends with crystal clear sound from a remote area of the world. Several of the folks who used the phone said they were going to go out and buy them. Just wanted to cheer you folks on – it’s a great system and hope that it takes off soon!

Mike B.

James

Dear GlobalCom,

The telephone was very useful in the middle of Neirgian Bay, Canada! It sure worked well and we’re very pleased. It’s nice to know technology can be at your finger tips in remote areas!

Thank you for the use!

James

Tohber

Dear Sir

A word about the missing battery. Presently it is at the bottom of the Little Current Lake north of Nabina Ontario, Canada. Above it, in the log-pile is my pinned canoe. While making the call with your satellite phone to arrange for helicopter pick-up, the water-proof phone box started to roll off the log-pile, dumping some of its contents which included the spare battery. Without the satellite phone I would still be in the bush in Ontario.

Yours
Tohber
Birmingham

Bob

Dear GlobalCom,

I want to take this time to thank you for your assistance in obtaining this phone and service. It has been a seamless transaction and your professionalism as well as your personal attention to our needs especially in making this so easy for my wife is worthy of recognition.

My son received the phone in Baghdad yesterday and was able to talk to his wife for more than just a few minutes for the first time in over 7 months when he deployed to the gulf. In fact they talked for nearly an hour. He called me this morning and he was so upbeat, this alone made every penny we have and will spend a value that will not be surpassed for a long, long time.

The quality of our conversation also far surpassed my expectations, there was no delay what so ever and he might as well have been next door the quality was so good. I want you to know that your efforts have had such a huge and positive impact on people you don’t even know and we are grateful that you were put in our path to help us during this most difficult time of separation.

My son is very much my hero but I would have you stand next to him any day of the week, you to have become a hero in the lives of so many people that you will never meet but you should feel good about yourself and proud of yourself for being an honest, hard working and enjoyable American. Thank you, I hope some day I have the opportunity to give you some portion of what you have given me, my son, my family and his family.

If you ever plan to come to the greater Sacramento area please do not hesitate to call me, I would be more than happy to arrange a comp stay for you here. Thank you Hobert, thank you!!

Bob
Doubletree Hotel

Katy

To Whom it May Concern:

Enclosed please find the returned international satellite phone. He informed me that it worked perfectly in Argentina. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely
Katy
Roger Engemann Company

John Madden

There’s a lot of land between California and New York, and cell phones just don’t work everywhere. I’ve tried Globalstar in the middle of nowhere, and it sounds great – like a regular phone. This phone works when I need it.

John Madden,
NFL football analyst

Karen

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the satellite phone we recently rented. The phone worked great and I appreciate all the help you provided in getting it to me on short notice.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Thanks again,
Karen
Champion Elevators

T. Herndon

This is T. Herndon and I wanted to let you know how your phone worked for me and my hunting trip.The phone was used marginally during the first part of our trip to Alaska but when the bush pilot company didn’t pick us up it was used a lot more. Imagine being us, out there 300 miles from civilization and not knowing if we were going to be picked up! Well, without the sat phone that is exactly where we would have been. The pilot finally got us on Monday afternoon (we were supposed to be picked up on the Saturday before at 11 am and we were picked up on Mon. at 2 pm!)With your phone we kept in contact with all four of our more than upset wives, and children.
Summer, tell all of your people thanks for a job well done!

T. Herndon
Arizona Outfitter

E. Moore

The captain has decades of experience in Alaskan waters and can navigate even the most remote areas. And that’s exactly where we headed–> remote, remote, remote. We set off for Alaska, the Juneau area, & boarded an 85′ charter boat. We brought our Globalstar phone and from anywhere, at anytime, the phone was used for a variety of purposes (mostly for daily business decisions, family contact, etc). The clarity of the phone was outstanding. We have ZERO complaints. Absolutely a wonderful service. Regardless of movement or speed, there was no hesitation in the service, nor did we (at any time) say “Hello! Hello! Can you hear me?” as is commonplace with cell phones. But the most immediately rewarding benefit of the phone was provided by life’s circumstances. It happened that we anchored in a “no one will ever find it” cove for the night. The captain lowered the anchor via remote switches & we set our sights on harvesting shrimp. Yes, we pulled up shrimp the next day… but what wouldn’t come up was the anchor. Somehow, it had wrenched itself in the depths below & no amount of strain, backing up, or re-positioning, could loosen the grip. The tremendous force placed upon the pulley strained the heavy chain… so strained that it busted and snapped the pulley at the bow… also damaged the bow. The only solution was to saw the chain, place a bouy on it, & hope for recovery on the next trip out. Enter: Globalstar phone. The tooling of a new pulley, housing, and bow re-enforcement would take approximately four days, which was two days beyond our re-docking and the entry of a new group which had chartered the boat. That is a situation no Captain or boarding guest takes pleasure in greeting. Several calls were made (to & fro) to tool replacements… sizing questions… measurements…a trek in finding the right man, with the right talent (with the time on his hands) to fix the problem. The task, however, was accomplished. The unit was overnighted by air from California to Alaska… it awaited the Captain as we pulled into harbor. Granted, it took some sweat to switch out the units & do the repairs, but the oncoming new guests were never the wiser. There was no lost time, no lost income, no alternate accommodation costs. In general conversation, it was decided that the phone would clearly have paid for itself resolving just that one instance. Additionally, the business use of the phone (owner-to-business site) reaped substantial rewards. And for the ladies? Constant contact with house & children sitters was an absolute comfort. I will never fret over a dropped call. Just a story about life, and about how Globalstar made it better. The benefits of remote communication cannot be undervalued. It certainly has proved its value to me.

E. Moore

susan

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the satellite phone I rented for John. Thank you for your assistance with this rental, we were very happy with the service you have provided.

Sincerely,
Susan
The Pepsi Bottling Group

Sgt. Steve Jones

Dear GlobalCom,

I just wanted to drop a line about your products and service. I was recently deployed overseas to a remote area. I needed a reliable way to keep in touch with my family so I purchased a Globalstar phone from your company. I was impressed with the great service you provided in getting the item to me in a timely manner. This was extremely important due to the rapid deployment I was facing. After I arrived in theatre a family medical emergency arose stateside. Through the use of your product I was able to coordinate a rapid extraction from the remote area and expedite my travel arrangements back to the States.

>Thank you for providing such outstanding products and service, without it I wouldn’t have been there when my family needed me most.

Sincerely,
Sgt. Steve Jones
United States Air Force

Donna Quinn

Dear Globalcom,

Your equipment was just wonderful. Dr. Bujnoski had no problems, and your are now in receipt of the returned phone. Today I called your office just to verify that, and asked to be sure and send the itemized bill to us as another doctor used the phone on this trip to Tanzania, and we will need his portion of the calls separated out so that he can reimburse Dr. B. Your office was very polite and we were told that the bill will not be received to your office until the middle of next month. This is fine by us, just as long as we do get a copy of the itemization after you have received it. Thank you again for the assistance and the great service and equipment, and we will recommend your company to other clients we have going to Africa with us.

Most sincerely,
Donna Quinn

Michael L.

Just flip up the antenna and talk…from anywhere! As an experienced user of satellite telephone services, I can say one thing about GlobalStar. It is not a satellite phone, it’s cellular on steroids! The new “GStar” works just like my cellular phone. No setup required! Just flip up the antenna and talk…from anywhere! Also, the service provides clear connections without the onerous delay associated with most satellite services and no echoes. Just like cellular. The price is reasonable, too!

Michael L.

Eric L.

There was no paging or cellular service, so I used the Globalstar phone to call the marina and lake patrol to ask if there were any reported incidents. My Globalstar phone came in handy last weekend while on a houseboat on Lake Mojave, NV. First, my friend’s wife was debating whether or not to go on the trip because she would be leaving their 15 month old daughter with her parents for three days and they would have no way to contact each other should their be a problem. I reminded them that I would have my Globalstar phone with me and they could use it to check in with her parents whenever they wanted to. She agreed to go and used the phone several times (she now wants one). The second incident came when a friend, who took a jet ski to the marina for “provisions,” was an hour overdue. Many of the 16 people on the houseboat became worried and debated whether or not we should pack up and go on a search and rescue. There was no paging or cellular service, so I used the Globalstar phone to call the marina and lake patrol to ask if there were any reported incidents. There were none, but they notified the patrol to be on the lookout for our wayward friend. Fifteen minutes later, he showed up and all was well. Just a couple of “real world” situations where Globalstar service proved its worth.

Eric L.

Sarah

Dear GlobalCom,

I was sure you would like the original paperwork on the purchase we made. I also wanted to thank you for all the time you took giving me the information on the services you offer. It really made a big difference to me that you were able to give me such personal and attentive service. I appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Sarah
Beaty Construction

Larry N.

Last week, I was in an isolated location, quite far from any people or means to communicate with the outside world should an accident occur. I am a fly fishing enthusiast who takes a number of trips during the year to very remote locations where no cellular service is available. I decided to purchase your Globalstar Satellite Phone to take with me on these trips in case of an emergency. Last week, I was in an isolated location, quite far from any people or means to communicate with the outside world should and accident occur. I tested the Globalstar Satellite Phone and wanted you to know how well it works. It has remarkable clarity, and the weight of the phone is quite satisfactory for my fly vest. Your company should find a way to spread the message out to other fly fishermen so that they can get the same protection.

Sincerely,
Larry N.

Mick

Dear GlobalCom,

Enclosed is the Iridium satellite phone, data kit and solar panel we leased from you. I’ll be faxing the paperwork for purchase of the RBGAN unit today.

I really appreciate your help throughout our Iraq adventure and will certainly call you again if we need any other equipment.

Best Wishes,
Mick
The Providence Journal Company