Welcome to our App  of the Week series where we highlight Smartphone  and iPad applications for business.

Membership and rewards cards are everywhere.  If you travel for business, you probably have a stack of cards from hotels, rental car agencies and airlines (my travel rewards card stack is about 15 high!). Although there are often good rewards with membership, carrying all of those cards isn’t always practical - especially when you need to carry both business and personal cards together.

Although some premium membership programs require a physical card for identification, most simply require a member number or a barcode that can be scanned.  So why carry all those cards?  It’s time to lighten your load and store all of the information on your iPhone.

CardKing™ for iPhone (free from the iTunes store) is an easy to use app that is designed to record, store and display your membership cards.  Once cards are loaded, they are simple to retrieve and use.  Here’s how it works:

Storing cards

The process of adding new cards into CardKing™ is very simple.  First select one of the approximately 30 categories (they include airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc.) and see if your membership program is listed.  While I’ve had good success at finding Canadian membership cards already listed in the application (there are over a 1000 available and each automatically show the rewards logo), adding a missing program is done with a simple tap.

Entering the number is easy.  If the membership card has a barcode, just select “Scan Barcode” and take a picture of the code with your iPhone.  If successful, all of the required information is automatically stored.  If there is no barcode on the membership card, simply type in the member number.  Take care to enter the number exactly as it appears on the card.

Retrieving and Using Cards

When CardKing™ is opened, it first shows a list of all the cards that are loaded.  Simply tap the one you want to use and it will display full screen.  If a barcode is associated with the card, it will also be displayed. As an added bonus, some reward programs also include handy links to their website and customer service phone numbers.

The idea of CardKing™ is that when the barcode is shown on the screen, you can simply hand your iPhone to a cashier, hotel staff, etc, and they should be able to scan the phone.  From personal experience, I have found that this scanning process is hit and miss.  Some scanners read the barcode off the iPhone perfectly, while others fail to read anything on the screen.  In this case, the number (which is also displayed on the screen) has to be entered manually.  It’s not as slick as just scanning the iPhone, but at least you still don’t have to carry all those cards.  Of note, the CardKing™ website has a good list of tips for scanning the iPhone screen.

Business considerations

CardKing™ is a great app for business users – especially frequent travellers.  However, there are a few items that should be known:

1. CardKing™ doesn’t offer any in-app security.  This means that if someone accesses your iPhone they will also have access to anything in the CardKing™ app.  It would be wise not to use this app to store business critical passwords or payment account codes.
2. According to the CardKing™ FAQ’s, the application does not collect or send personal data to any third parties or back to the app creators.
3. Whenever you sync and backup your iPhone through iTunes, the CardKing™ app data is backed up.

Conclusion

Business users who have a pocket full of loyalty, membership or reward cards will appreciate how this app minimizes their wallets.  It’s easy to use and the price is right – free.

Have you had an opportunity to use this app?  If so, post your thoughts below.

Whether to cross a continent or to find a small business hidden in the corner of an industrial park, a good map is a valuable tool.  In recent years however, traditional paper maps have been substituted with highly accurate and sophisticated GPS systems which pinpoint your current location and automatically calculate the ideal route to your intended destination.  For businesses on the move, GPS makes perfect sense: spend less time studying a map and more time with your customers.

The recent convergence of Smartphone and GPS technologies allows businesses to easily equip their staff.  Applications are available for BlackBerry, iPhone, Android and other platforms which transform a GPS enabled Smartphone into a full vehicle navigator.

This leads to the questions:  What should businesses consider when selecting a navigation app?   What type of investment is required?  And probably the most difficult question, what is the best app for business in Canada?

Today we will start with the basics: 5 considerations for business Smartphone based navigation.

1 .  Maps

Most stand-alone GPS navigators are limited to their built-in (on board) maps.  With Smartphone apps, users have a choice of how they would like their maps.  Here are considerations for each:

Online maps

• Apps usualy have a low up-front cost of less than $10.
• Maps are downloaded from the internet using the wireless network as they are needed and used (similar to Google Maps). The more you use the app, the more wireless data you will use.
• Maps are not stored on your Smartphone so the apps use very little memory space.
• As maps live on the Internet, they are likely to be the most up to date.
• App is fully functional only when the Smartphone is within wireless data coverage.
• Ideal for urban business usage where up to date maps is important and strong wireless signals are available.

Onboard maps

• Apps usually have an up-front cost of $50 or higher.
• An entire collection of maps is installed on your Smartphone and stored in the memory.  Data usage will not see a substantial increase with usage.
• Maps for Canada and the United States can easily consume over 1 GB of storage.
• Maps are only updated when the application is updated, therefore maps could be months or even years old (similar to how a paper map gets old and needs to be updated or replaced).
• Maps and navigation are processed within the Smartphone app and not via the Internet.
• Maps do not require a wireless network to operate (GPS signal is still required).
• Ideal for those who travel in fringe coverage areas, have high amounts of use or wish to keep data costs more fixed. 

2.  Points of Interest

A Point of Interest, or POI, is simply a useful point on a map.  Good examples would be gas stations, restaurants and stores which may be along your route.  POI's enable you to find the closest "Joe's Burgers" instead of having to know what the address is. The more POI's you have access to, the more likely you will be able to  enter in a name instead of a full address.

Apps with Online maps always go to the internet when a POI is searched - often to a provider like Google or Bing which have millions of POI's. Onboard maps automatically install a smaller base of POI's to your Smartphone.  While the search is faster when the POI's are installed on your Smartphone, the Internet has the best accuracy.  The ability to have both onboard POI's and Internet search covers all the bases (like the time I was outside of coverage deep in the BC Rockies and needed a gas station - onboard POI's pointed me to the closest one).

3.  Voice Prompts

Turn left in 200 meters.  Stay to the right at the fork.  Stay in the middle lane.  Voice prompts mean you don't have to look at the screen of your Smartphone as you drive.  The first step is to make sure the app you select has them.  However, not all voice prompts are considered equal.  Some can say the name of the road while others only give directions.  ("Turn left in 200 meters" versus "Turn left in 200 meters on Main Street").  Multi-region companies should also consider user language - some applications are limited to English voice prompts only.

4.  Power

Smartphones operating a GPS Navigation app consume considerably more power then a phone at standby.  Online map based apps potentially use the most power because of the regular wireless data network activity.  Ensure your employees have the ability to charge their Smartphone while on the road with a simple car charger (about $25).

5.  Mount

Just like standard GPS units, GPS enabled Smartphones require a clear view of the sky in order to calculate their location from orbiting sattelites.  A windshield or dashboard mounted phone cradle is ideal.  They also allow easy access and clear viewing without causing undue distraction.  Suction style windshield mounts usually start at about $25.

It would be a miss not to mention the need for good judgement when using any device while driving.  Check out Focus on Driving for more information.

Over the coming weeks, look for reviews of a number of leading turn-by-turn Navigation applications including TELUS Navigator (online), Navigon (onboard), Tom Tom (onboard) and MotionX GPS Drive (online).  If you have specific questions you would like covered during those reviews, just pop in a comment below.

Join the conversation in by creating a profile, logging in and adding a comment below.

Although the TELUS 3G+ network is Canada's largest*, there are times when business takes you to the edge. Maybe it's loop “D” of your favourite campground or the new drilling site that's just a few extra kilometres past the last road. For the many users of Mobile Internet Keys, here are three easy ways to give that extra little boost to your signal strength when at the fringe:

1. Consider your physical location.

Take a look at what is around you. Do you have a lot of electronic items near you?  Steel machinery? If you are inside, try moving closer to a window or to the opposite end of the building. There is a bit of trial and error involved, but you will often find a sweet spot.

2. Use an extension cable.

Mobile Internet Keys such as the Sierra Wireless 306 include a handy extension cable and monitor clip.  This allows you to elevate the Mobile Internet Key to a location higher then your USB port and, if you use the clip, attach the key to the back of your laptop screen.  While the extension cable and clip do not increase signal strength directly, the elevated location of the key (and its internal antenna) often makes a difference.

3. Add an external antenna.

Many Mobile Internet Keys have antenna ports which facilitate the connection of an external antenna.  With such a connection, the antenna can be elevated or even placed outside or on the roof of a car.  As an example, Sierra Wireless offers an external blade antenna.  For other options, such as vehicle or building mounted antennas, contact your local authorized TELUS Mobility dealer.

Want to learn more about Mobile Internet Keys?  Here's one company's experience.  Have a question or ideas to add?  Join in by commenting below.

* For HSPA/HSPA+ geographic coverage and population covered as of  December 2009.

Welcome to our App of the Week series where we will highlight Smartphone applications for business. 

Air Canada for BlackBerry®

Why the Air Canada app?  It's not because Air Canada called up and asked.  This app was selected because of a combination of personal experience and proven business value.

Here are three features of the application of particular interest to business:

1. Mobile Check-in

This application makes the process of checking in, choosing a seat (if you haven't already) and specifying quantity of luggage easy.  Just fill in the fields and you're checked in. An electronic boarding pass is then sent directly to the application - which means you can just show the mobile boarding pass on the screen of your BlackBerry® to check-in at the airport.  Best part?  If you're a carry-on only business traveler, you can go directly to security for most flights.  No need to wait in line at the counter!

2. My Messages

Flight delays happen - it's a reality of business travel. But I hate leaving a client or colleague only to learn about the delay at the airport. If you register for it, you will automatically receive flight status notifications directly in the app. If your flight is delayed more than 15 minutes, expect to receive a notification message and make good use of the time.

3. Flight Pass management

Many business flyers are using Air Canada Flight Passes - I'm one of them. With this app, you can select and book a flight using your Flight Pass all from your BlackBerry®. This feature really comes in handy for last minute flights and open-ended business trips.  I have personally searched and booked Flight Pass flights through the application and the process is easy.

Additional impressions

Is this app perfect? No. There are a couple of notable things you can't do with it. First, you can't make a change to a flight through the app. So if you're running late you still need to call into Air Canada to try and move to a later flight. Second, you can't purchase a flight outright or even view prices. This would be a great enhancement for the future.

Conclusion: Even if you're only an occasional Air Canada flyer, this free download is worthy of a space on your BlackBerry®.

What do you think? Have you used this app? Please post up your experiences with this application.

Five ways to simplify business travel

From flight delays to missed meetings, business travel can be stressful. Here are five tips from seasoned road warriors that can help ease the stress of business travel.

1. Stay in the loop

A smartphone keeps you connected to your colleagues and customers anywhere, anytime. Whether at the airport or in a cab, you can respond to emails, read documents and more. Stay in sync with the office while you’re away.

2. Know where you are

No matter how good your sense of direction is, it's easy to get lost in an unfamiliar city. With GPS technology on your smartphone, you can access maps, directions and find locations simply and easily. There’s no need to purchase a separate GPS unit for your vehicle and it’s a great way to judge walking distances if you’re travelling by foot.

3. Keep on top of everything

Just because you’re out of the office doesn’t mean you have to fall behind. Stay productive using your laptop and a mobile internet key. Connect to the Internet, access documents and stay in touch via email.

4. Read your voice mail

It may sound strange, but calling in for your messages can be a thing of the past. You can use technology to convert your messages to text and access them via email right on your smartphone. It helps you respond faster and organize more efficiently. (Check out this article for more information)

5. Travel light

Packing light takes work but pays off. Your smartphone, laptop and mobile internet key all help ease business travel. With less to bring and organize, you can pack a carry-on with your essentials, and get on and off the plane as quickly and efficiently as possible. Packing light can also help ward off back trouble!  The site OneBag.com is an excellent resource on the art of travelling with just a carry-on for both personal and business travel.

How about you? What's you're top business travel tip or resource website you use?

Hello and welcome!

TELUS Talks Business.  It’s easy for me to say.  It’s also easy to read.  Starting today, I, on behalf of the thousands of TELUS Business Solutions team members worldwide, commit to doing it.

Like  all good  conversations, we need a place to start.  So let’s start with a  topic more and more businesses are facing:  Working efficiently  while away from the office.  We will have a number of blog posts on  this subject in the coming days and weeks.

You can also expect to see articles on the subjects of charitable giving by businesses, cloud computing and other topics that you say are important or are  currently in the news.  Plus there will be commentary from experts in Information Technology, Communications and Human Resources – all from  successful business  leaders. The site will grow to where you will see something new and discussion worthy on a regular basis.

Bottom line:  This site is managed by TELUS so there is going to be a fair amount of talk about TELUS products and solutions. But the commitment of this site is to give you much more. This is a place where you can view relevant and interesting information, ask questions, engage in a dialogue and make your voice heard.  It’s not just about TELUS.  It’s about you and your business.  On behalf of the TELUS Business Solutions team, I promise to grow the contents and direction of this site in a way that represents your needs.

How to stay connected

First, sign up for our regular emails and please send me feedback on what you receive. The team behind the scenes is working to build a valuable business-focused newsletter you should enjoy. We’ll also send you information on some TELUS campaigns, but promise not to abuse the privilege. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter where we will highlight new articles as they are posted.  As an added bonus, we are also going to be holding some contests (like one on Mobile Working coming soon) and maybe even doing some random giveaways to our loyal community members – you’ll just have to join in and see.

Most importantly, please know that your business related comments, discussions and opinions are all valued. Our goal is to be part of the conversation every weekday and jump in on the weekends where we can.  If you’re a TELUS customer and have specific questions about your account the team here commits to your privacy by not replying in public.

Please, join the conversation with me and let’s talk business together.

Thanks,

Peter Hartl

TELUS Talks Business Community Manager