As technology levels the playing field for small businesses, more companies are making the connection between strong IT investment and improved business performance. The 85% of small businesses planning to increase their technology investments are more likely to anticipate higher revenue, said the 2012 SMB Routes to Market Study. Here are five technologies helping to solve common small-business problems.
1. Mobile Applications
The problem: For small businesses, being away from the office makes it difficult to share data and be available to customers.
The solution: Some 94% of small business users believe mobile devices make them more efficient, said the Mobility Edge Report from CDW. Smartphones are the most popular mobile device among small business users, while tablet usage is growing. Evernote is a free app that helps organize users across multiple devices, with the ability to take notes and capture web pages. Square is a mobile-payment device that attaches to a smartphone to accept credit card payments on the go.
2. Analytics
The problem: Small businesses are catching on that social media is where their customers are. But how do they know if their marketing is effective?
The solution: “Companies that figure out how to harness and turn data into insights most effectively will gain huge competitive advantages,” said the SMB study. Beyond Google Analytics, GeckoBoard is a hosted dashboard that integrates different services so users can see web traffic next to sales figures. Crazy Egg creates heat-map website images so businesses can see exactly where users are clicking.
3. Cloud Storage
The problem: Lack of time and resources for IT tasks can cause big headaches for overworked small businesses.
The solution: Some 52% of small and medium-sized businesses are adopting cloud services to outsource IT tasks like data storage, said the SMB study. Dropboxis a popular app for sharing documents and photos across multiple devices.Microsoft SkyDrive offers the ability to replicate files on multiple systems, said PC Magazine.
4. Mobile Security
The problem: With small businesses depending heavily on smartphones, lost and stolen devices are a top mobile security concern, says Symantec Corp research.
The solution: Securing mobile devices with encryption or data wiping to prevent thieves from accessing sensitive business data. Lookout Mobile Security Premium is PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice for Android security suites, enabling users to remotely lock, wipe or locate devices. Its signal flare feature helps locate phones when batteries die – also available in its iOS product.
5. Web Teleconferencing
The problem: Communication with far-flung employees, clients and vendors can be expensive for many small businesses.
The solution: Web-based teleconferencing services let large groups make video and voice connections, usually without special equipment – or sky-high phone fees. Reigning champ Adobe Connect is “the solution to beat,” said PC Magazine. Up-and-comer Fuze Meeting Pro offers innovative features like Fuze In for dialing in late participants.
As technology keeps expanding the playing field for small businesses, the most innovative solutions are helping companies manage their growing networks of mobile and social media connections.
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