Selling is a mobile profession. Because of telephones and the Internet, you can work from virtually anywhere and interface with prospects, customers, and suppliers just about anywhere else in the world. However, that means you need to be using the latest tools of technology and communication.

The most popular mobile Internet connection is the laptop computer. It can let you take your entire data office with you wherever you go. Depending on what type of connection you use, you can make VoIP telephone calls through it and connect by a Wi-Fi wireless system or a satellite Internet link. You can work at the office, at home, in an airport, or at your customer's location with equal ease. A major advantage of laptop computers is that you can take advantage of the power, graphics, and data of the Internet. You can plug in just about anywhere there is an Internet signal.

Even cellular telephones today offer opportunities to surf the Internet from anywhere. Using digital signals, they connect to a mobile transmitter just as your voice calls do, then log on to the Internet. The keyboards on these devices are very small and require some practice to use, but you can read and respond to e-mail from virtually anywhere that you can talk on a cell phone.

Many personal digital assistants (PDAs) also include an Internet hookup via Wi-Fi, phone line, or other connection. PDAs offer some of the features of a laptop, including software interface, in a larger package than available with a cell phone.

Your sales manager or employer can help you select the appropriate technology tools for your job. And today's tools will be tomorrow's toys. Keep up on what's happening in business technology with the Internet, e-mail, and the many devices that can bring them to you anywhere. One resource is Mobile Magazine (www.mobilemag.com). In addition, publications for sales professionals, such as Sales Magazine (www.salesmagazine.com), offer periodic roundups of technology tools.