Don't Rely on iPhone Apps Abroad

We small-business owners rely on cutting-edge tools from Google(GOOG Quote), Microsoft(MSFT Quote), Research in Motion(RIMM Quote) and Apple(AAPL Quote) to make money domestically, but taking "cloud computing" and mobile applications abroad is another matter.

I tried some of these applications and services while traveling in Italy. Here's what works and what doesn't:

Beware the cloud: So-called cloud computing, which allows entrepreneurs to rely on outside servers for tech services, isn't ready for international prime time.

Like many cost-conscious small businesses, my little digital world does most of its word processing, content management and scheduling through Web-based tools, such as Google Apps, LiquidPlanner and Microsoft Office Live. These systems work well internationally as long as you have access to a strong, secure network. The problem is that U.S. networks and their international cousins don't function optimally.

During my trip, wired and wireless connections worked on a room-by-room or corner-by-corner basis. Even though signal strength and data rates appeared to be strong, upload and download speeds varied enough to clutter the systems. Updates of server-based files -- say, on Google Apps -- were incomplete. And Web-based notifications for meetings and collaborative documents weren't stable. Critical notices about completed files and scheduled meetings didn't go through.

I got uneven results with international versions of American wireless data plans. For example, T-Mobile's business data service, which works well domestically, was slow and uneven in Italy.

If you rely on collaborative software to work, you will need to confirm anything important with a separate e-mail or telephone call. Phone service is excellent internationally. You might be up at all hours finessing the time differences, but this is the life you chose.