Travel Tech Q&A: OBT's Shane Muller
OBT managing director, Shane Muller, is an old hand at travel; he's even been stuck on a US aircraft carrier. He has had some more "normal" travel experiences, though, as he keeps on the move to develop alliances and meet industry partners.
Shane Muller
(Credit: OBT)
OBT is an Australian company specialising in cloud computing that started in 1999. Among its products are private cloud services and infrastructure as a service, software as a service and data as a service offerings.
What tech do you travel with and why?
I like to travel light, so it's my Windows Phone and an ultra-thin laptop with adapters for various locations.
What's your favourite phone app for travelling and why?
I always have the World Clock, so I can liaise with others in their time zones. Other favourites are the weather app, which means I know what to expect and am always prepared, and the XE currency converter, which ensures I'm getting the right conversions, and buy at the best rate.
Personal travel advice/tip?
I attend plenty of business meetings when I travel; however, having my wife with me is the best asset of all!
How do you deal with jet lag?
I adjust for the destination time zone in advance, and on arrival push through the day and usually have a great first night's sleep.
What was your biggest travel disaster?
That would have to be when I was on-board a US aircraft carrier at sea on 11 September 2001 with no intelligence on what was happening or where we might end up! A more normal experience would be stuck in Europe in the middle of a severe storm, with no chance of getting out of the airport to get a hotel, and no idea when flights would resume, having already missed two connecting flights back.
Is there one thing you must do before you leave home?
If my wife is not travelling with me, then a big hug and kiss for her. I always try to leave home feeling calm, not rushed and stressed.
What is your dream travel tech to have on planes/in airports/at hotels?
I'd have to say a service that delivers high-speed internet access not only from planes, but being able to roam globally without crazy data fees. Or, alternatively, a pocket-sized device with multiple SIM options for 3G+ and a built-in Wi-Fi access point.
Favourite destination city to work/visit and why?
From a technology perspective, I'd have to say San Francisco and Singapore. There are so many businesses in those cities working on brilliant new products/services/business models that are in their "pre-popular" stage.
Which airport would you prefer to be stranded at and why?
I don't enjoy being stranded in airports at all, so if I had to choose, I'd say Sydney, as I'd be able to get home.