Small business owners seem to have found a new best friend—the tablet. From 2011 to 2012, tablet use among small businesses grew by 140 percent, and by the end of 2013, it is predicted that nearly 10.3 million small businesses will have adopted tablets as their preferred form of mobile technology.
Aside from the convenience of the mobile device itself, there are a wide variety of practical apps and online resources that make hectic workdays run a bit smoother. Below are some suggestions for mobile apps that increase mobility and streamline operations.
Working Remotely
Small business owners often work long or odd hours, so as mobile technology advances, many professionals use tablets to conduct business remotely. There are a plethora of apps on the market that virtually bring your office to you, giving you access to all of your most important materials.
OnLive Desktop (free, Apple and Android) gives users instant access to their cloud-based PC desktop right from their tablet, which is ideal for those who prefer a traditional desk setup in the office. It also allows users to transfer items to other mobile devices, such as smartphones, for continued access.
For those already using a cloud storage system such as Google Drive or Dropbox, Kingsoft Office (free, Apple and Android) is the perfect addition. It gives users the freedom to review, edit and share Microsoft Office files on the tablet, which was once a major obstacle for professionals. Users can also share files and collaborate with other app users.
GoToMeeting (subscription fee varies, Apple and Android) and Google+ Hangouts (free for Google+ users) make face-to-face meetings with multiple parties possible, even from long distances. Users can join, host and schedule meetings and share presentations, spreadsheets and reports right from their tablets.
Sales and Billing
When business takes place outside the office, there is often a need to make transactions on-the-go as well. With these apps, business won’t be put on hold simply because you aren’t at your desk.
Square ($9.95 + free app, Apple and Android) allows business owners to seamlessly link their bank account to the app, and customers can make a payment simply by sliding their credit card through the tablet-linked card reader. Square also accepts cash payments, making it easy to record all financial transactions.
PayPal Here ($14.99 + free app, Apple and Android) offers the same, with the added value of allowing check and PayPal payments, which many customers prefer to protect their financials. Intuit GoPayment (per-use and subscription fees vary, Apple and Android) is another mobile card reader and app, which has special features for discounts and unique orders, and also syncs with QuickBooks online accounting service for instant debit and credit input.
For billing purposes, Invoice2go ($9.99, Apple or Android) allows users to create and send invoices digitally, while DocuSign (free for DocuSign customers, Apple and Android) lets clients or customers digitally sign a contract on the spot, which helps eliminate time lapses following proposals or agreements.
Inventory
Taking inventory can be a tedious process, but by utilizing these app features, small business owners can ease the stress and improve efficiencies.
Inventory Tracker ($4.99, Apple and Android) provides a clear, easy-to-use interface for tracking inventory. Its simple input system offers real-time tracking on each item’s sale, shipment and arrival. The barcode scanning feature allows for a quick summary and assessment of an item’s profile.
Business Inventory ($0.99, Apple and Android) is a similar app, complete with the ability to export data to spreadsheets and email results to co-workers, allowing multiple parties to stay current on the status of business.
No matter where your business takes you, in combination with any of these apps and resources, you can take your business anywhere with a tablet.
