Top 10 Tools for a Digital Nomad

I am a Digital Nomad. I run a small, but rapidly growing, company based in Belgium with offices in Atlanta and customers around the globe. In the effort to put Nomadesk on the map, I need to get out into the world. While I’m out promoting and running the company, I rely on technology to help me accomplish the work and tasks for success, while keeping in touch with co-workers, family and friends.

I don’t have the deep pockets that a large company has to invest in technology, so I’ve culled my list of critical, need-to-have, technology tools down to the following 10 items I have with me at all times. The first four are the hardware essentials, number five holds it all together, and the last five are the software programs vital to my nomadic digital lifestyle.

Hardware essentials:

1. Laptop. This contains the output of my productivity and the fruits of my brain, meaning all the digital documents, excel spreadsheets, email, and presentations necessary for running a business. My Vaio laptop has a video camera that keeps me connected to business associates and family (we’ll discuss this more in number 9).

2. Smartphone. Of course, this is my phone, but it also replaces my laptop when I need to respond to email quickly, refer to my schedule, and keep in touch when I’m not in an office. I have an HTC, similar to a Blackberry. The camera on the phone comes in handy for capturing and sharing my life on the road.

3. 3G/Wi-Fi modem. Preferably, this is a 3G Router, like Novatel’s MiFi to make that connection when I am out in the middle of nowhere. This technology lets you create your own wireless network. I like to share the joy with other digital nomads, so they can access their email, their files, helping build a community through Digital Nomad socialism.

4. Headset + Mic. Although it’s not really necessary, this serves a more practical point for sound clarity and to not disturb the people around me. I use a Logitech brand combined headset and mic, which both cancels noise and helps me focus on the job at hand.

5. Ruggedized backpack. This is a very important element of my nomadic lifestyle. My backpack protects my laptop and all my gadgets through airports and planes, taxis and restaurants, hotels and offices. [I bought one at IKEA]

Software Essentials:

1. Nomadesk. In order to secure, sync, and share my valuable data, I use my Nomadesk fileservers. In fact, it’s all I use; I don’t store any of my data outside of Nomadesk. The fruits of my brain are confidential and I don’t want anyone to see them until I’m ready to share. I want to keep all my productivity on hand, but in a safe place. At the same time, I want to be able to share information, collaborate easily with my colleagues while I’m on the road and access it all whether I am online or off. It doesn’t matter if something happens to all the hardware, if a truck runs over my rugged backpack, I lose it or it gets stolen, I feel safe, because it’s encrypted, safe and backed-up.

2. 3G/Wi-Fi data plan. I need have a data plan for access to the Internet, for all the benefits of the 3G network. You can use Boingo or iPass for the WIFI. I like these WIFI services in which you have one piece of software that logs you on with the same account; makes billing and payment so much simpler and you don’t need to pull out your credit card all of the time.

3. E-mail/Calendar. I use my email and calendar synced together on a hosted exchange. Whether it’s Google, Yahoo or whatever doesn’t matter, what does matter is knowing where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there, with the information you need.

4. VoIP. For me, this is Skype and it’s a lifeline for me to talk to and see people, using the video camera on my laptop. The messages you send out to the world with all those electronic devices obliterate the personal connection that a real face-to-face conversation provides. It’s just so much nicer to see someone’s reaction when they talk. In general, communication comprises 20% words, 20% intonation and 60% body language. (That’s why someone invented emoticons — all those smiley faces — to put context to your words.) Digital Nomads need a means to see each other and Skype offers that to me.

5. Local desktop applications. Experience has taught me that it’s not realistic to be online all the time. Microsoft Office provides all the software you need that sits on the desktop. Although there are other solutions, I stick to the standard. I like the speed of local applications; Nomadesk takes care of the synchronization.

I know there are many more I could add to my list, but, in addition to the expense, I also know firsthand the importance of traveling light.

What are your essential Digital Nomad tools?