Americans take more than 405 million long-distance business trips annually, according to data from the United States Department of Transportation. Although these business trips are essential, they do cost money, which many new entrepreneurs feel in their wallets. The following four pieces of tech help entrepreneurs save money while traveling:
Travel Apps
Oftentimes entrepreneurs are required to travel for events, trade shows and conferences. This type of travel is great for branding and networking in the early startup days; however, Bloomberg cites that many of these types of business travel don’t bring in any revenue. John Tozzi, writing for Bloomberg Business, suggests that small businesses should cut out business trips that don’t generate revenue. But, if they do have to travel, Tozzi recommends opting for less expensive hotels and flights to save money. Websites like Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz and Priceline offer great deals on both hotels, car rentals and flights. Additionally, these providers have smartphone compatible apps that make finding reservations or booking a flight easy while on the go.
Samsung Galaxy S6
Many smartphones can make video calls with Facetime or Skype. However, T-Mobile recently announced that it will be making native video calling a standard feature on its smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The Samsung Galaxy 6 and the Galaxy 6 Edge will see the addition shortly after it’s rolled out in early September. After downloading the update, a small video camera icon will appear next to the contacts who can receive video calls. Entrepreneurs operating on other devices may want to switch to T-Mobile, as the function makes connecting to the homebase office effortless while on the go. In addition, video conferencing cuts down on the amount of travel new business owners have to do, as meetings can be conducted virtually face-to-face with the technology.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Great for the workplace whose employees are in and out of the office all day, the Nest Learning Thermostat helps business owners save money on their energy costs. With this tool, they never have to worry about adjusting the thermostat when they leave on a business trip because its Auto-Away feature adjusts the temperature when the office is empty. The smart thermostat also can be controlled remotely with the Nest app or via the web.
HooToo HT-TM04 TripMate Elite
Not every travel destination has a solid Internet connection, and finding a charging outlet in a busy airport is no easy feat. But, that doesn’t mean entrepreneurs should put their work on the back burner. Inc. reports that the HooToo HT-TM04 is a portable Wi-Fi router that can be used for multiple devices as well as a USB charger that can be used to charge phones and tablets. It can even be connected to a thumb drive, which enables business owners to share files across its network. And for less than $50, it is a savvy business expense all entrepreneurs should consider adding to their tech arsenal.