When you have access to your e-mail and company intranet when you are outside of your office you become more effective and better prepared to meet your customer needs. With wireless networking, you can carry the power of your office network with you wherever you go.
Step 1: Arrange for network and e-mail access
Typically your company's key network and e-mail resources are not available to you automatically from outside your company network, but instead require a bit of tweaking to make accessible to wireless devices.
Making your intranet, file server, internal databases, and other networked tools available typically requires a simple virtual private network (VPN) setup that you log into each time you want to connect to your company LAN. If your company network already has a VPN set up for telecommuters, you should be able to leverage that same VPN for your wireless WAN access. The resources you are accessing are the same, you will just be using a wireless connection to get to them instead of a wired connection from a home office.
How you receive access to your e-mail depends on the e-mail system you have in place and the computer you are using. If you utilize Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes on a notebook or Tablet PC, access to e-mail is easy and does not require additional software. If you are using an iPAQ handheld and either Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes, your company will need to set up the Extended Systems OneBridge Software.
The OneBridge system includes a wireless e-mail server that sits next to your Exchange or Notes system. The server is tasked with packaging company e-mail messages for secure transmission across a wireless network to an iPAQ Pocket PC, notebook, or other wireless-enabled PC.
Because messages will be leaving your organization for transport over a public network, security is extremely important. The HP wireless e-mail solutions uses a robust collection of security schemes to keep your confidential information just that, confidential. In the unlikely event that someone does intercept a message, encryption will keep them from reading the message or any of its attachments.
Step 2: Choose a wireless service provider and connect
A wireless carrier such as ATTWS or T-Mobile handles the actual transmission of resources and e-mail information to your iPAQ Pocket PC or notebook PC over high-speed wireless networks that have similar coverage to the digital cell phone network you most likely already use. Think of these carriers as wireless Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Because the network is carrying data and not voice communications, you will need a separate data contract with the wireless carrier. HP's wireless solutions are compatible with the data networks for all major US carriers, so the carrier choice is up to you. As you consider carriers, be sure to consider which carrier provides the best data coverage in your area, the cost of data plans, and the roaming agreements each carrier has with other carriers that will supplement your network coverage.
Step 3: Equip your computer or handheld for wireless WAN access
For your notebook PC, iPAQ handheld, Tablet PC, or other mobile computer to communicate with a wireless carrier, you will need support for wireless WAN connectivity, typically found in a wireless WAN PC card. For notebook PCs and Tablet PCs, the wireless WAN card slips into your PC slot just like a Wi-Fi or other wireless card. Most iPAQs however require a PC card expansion pack in addition to the PC card.
The wireless card connects you to a wireless carrier's network that then relays data between your wireless device, gateways, and servers located on the carrier's network, and the public Internet. Different wireless carriers use different wireless WAN protocols, so be sure to purchase a wireless WAN card designed to work with your wireless carrier of choice.
These tips and tricks can make accessing your company network outside of the office easier:
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If your company does not have a VPN set up yet, consult your local HP reseller
for more information on your options for configuring one
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Often the price of the wireless WAN card is built into a complete wireless WAN
access package. Choose the service provider that offers the best coverage for you, or consult with an HP expert. |
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What if I use an e-mail system other than Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes?
Many of today's e-mail systems come with options for delivering e-mail over a wireless network. Some offer a Web browser interface for your e-mail that you can access just as you would any other Web page. Some offer systems similar to the OneBridge Mobile Groupware listed here. Whatever your e-mail implementation, HP can help you find a mobile solution to compliment it.
Can I use a wireless hotspot to connect to my company network?
Yes. Instead of using a wireless WAN account and card, you can use a wireless LAN card and a public hotspot to access your company network when you are one the go. Learn more in the Use a public hotspot solution guide.
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