As a mobile worker, you must realize the importance of protecting your mobile gear from electrical problems. Losing valuable data or having to spend time to re-enter it is something you want to avoid. There are measures you can take to ensure that you protect your mobile gear and data. Electrical surges caused by brownouts or blackouts are one of the biggest causes of data and equipment loss.
Surge Protection:
The most important item you need and should be using with your mobile gear is surge protection. It doesn’t matter whether you are uncertain of the quality or reliability of the electrical service you will be using or there is the potential of service outages.
Surge protection provides you and your mobile gear with a level of protection against electrical problems you cannot predict nor expect and relives the uncertainty you may face when working in new locations.
Surge protectors are available especially for mobile gear and well worth the small amount of space they will take up.
When looking at the options available for surge protection, check the warranties that offered by companies. These warranties cover different levels of damage and different dollar amounts for the equipment. Some surge protectors also include telephone jacks, which is also important if you are using a dial-up Internet connection.
Back Up Data
Another level of protection is to make frequent backups of your work throughout the day. There are online backup services and programs available for backing up your data. If you do experience electrical problems, your work is safe.
Print Important Documents
Additionally, in addition to backing up your work, print off copies as you proceed. This way you have a hard copy available to you. When working on the road this may be more difficult but when you have a printer available, it can be invaluable. Mobile printers are another option for mobile workers – most work on batteries and do not require an electrical outlet.
Responsibility for Loss/Damage
A final issue to be concerned with is who will be responsible for loss or damage – you or your employer. If you are using equipment provided by your employer, then it should be merely a matter of getting a replacement. If you are using your own equipment, and you suffer damage you may have a provision that the employer will provide you with replacement equipment until yours is fixed or you have received new equipment.
Remember, it takes only one bad electrical fault to destroy your data or damage your mobile gear. Ensure that you are able to work safely and your mobile gear is protected.
