8 apps everyone running a business should have on their phone
With the help of technology, there’s no excuse not to have the tools you need on hand.
THE SMARTPHONE REVOLUTION has changed the way we live and work.
It’s estimated that three-quarters of the Irish population is using a smartphone – and this figure jumps up to 97% when you look at the emerging workforce of those under 25.
Apps have long-since graduated from crushing candy and bird games. For small businesses, they can help establish better customer relationships by providing insights and personalised information anywhere. Having the right mobile apps to engage employees and customers can allow companies to move faster and reach further.
Designing and publishing apps has become more accessible than ever, allowing small businesses to also capitalise on this growing opportunity to connect with their customers and employees in new ways.
These eight mobile apps can get you organised, connected and visible.
1. Google Hangouts: Video in the workplace has become the new norm – especially as businesses grow and expand to new markets. In a time when companies are working harder than ever to keep team members engaged and connected, video conferencing tools like Google Hangouts help your employees keep in touch with messaging, video and voice calls.
2. Office 365 Mobile: A workforce that’s constantly on the go needs to be able to access their day-to-day productivity tools over their smartphone. Office 365 Mobile gives you a consistent experience for storing, editing sharing, and updating Office documents over any mobile device.
3. DocuSign: Tools like Docusign are transforming how we sign, send and manage documents on our smartphones. It allows you to prepare and send documents for signing, complete in-person signing and get instant visibility into your document status, right from your phone.
4. Sage Live: Back-office accounting is normally associated with administration over a desktop. Sage Live takes complete business and accounting information straight to mobile, placing your CRM, accounting and financial data all in the palm of your hand.
5. Tripit: An app that is perfect for business travellers, Tripit allows you to organise your travel itinerary all from one place. You can consolidate your travel plans, sync with your calendar and store all travel documents. You can also keep track of flight updates and access loyalty programs. The app also gathers weather updates, maps and directions to make travelling a breeze.
6. Last Pass: Almost everything requires a password but keeping track of them can be challenging, especially if you’re mobile and trying to access them from your phone or tablet. LastPass not only remembers all your passwords, but acts as a password generator and can automatically fill in forms and login details when surfing the internet.
7. GetFeedback: Customer service is a key battleground for the modern SME – and one where they frequently win victory over the bigger players. GetFeedback is built to help you create online surveys that display how you want them too, whatever device customers take them on.
8. Concur: Concur’s mobile app makes business expense reporting and receipt management fast and easy. With its ability to capture receipt images you can reduce your admin time and manage your expenses on the go.
Sanj Bhayro is the senior vice president for small and medium business at Salesforce.
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