Litabi
Today’s businesses are in a fierce race to catch and keep customers’ short attention spans amid a sea of competitors and in markets that are often saturated. You need to get work done quickly and efficiently, streamlining everything from money management to file storage. You may not realize how badly you need the following tools till you evaluate the before-and-after results of trying these smart software applications.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is an invaluable tool for businesses. Don’t fall back on the old standard of storing your information on site when cloud storage offers so many benefits. You don’t have to worry about hiring IT and support professionals within your company because your information is stored and backed up off site, freeing you to use your manpower elsewhere.
Storing information in the cloud also makes it more readily accessible to others. You don’t have to mess with bulky email attachments. Simply share a link to the file’s destination and your recipient can access it directly in the cloud. Moving files to the cloud isn’t as difficult as many people imagine. It’s just a matter of dragging and dropping your files to the right folder. There are many options for cloud storage, so shop around to find a provider with the storage space you need for a reasonable price.
Back Up and Recovery
While most business owners understand the importance of regularly backing up files to an NAS (network-attached storage) device or external hard drive, many still put off the task. Because there isn’t an immediate need to make sure your documents and data are safe, it can be very easy to forget about backup entirely. While it may not seem like a pressing issue now, it could easily turn into a nightmare later, when something crashes unexpectedly, and tons of valuable information is lost.
In order to protect yourself and your business from future disaster, it’s imperative that you invest in an online backup service. There are plenty of different options to fit a range of backup and recovery needs. A service like Mozy might be one to consider. Mozy automatically archives anything you choose via the internet, keeping it safe. You simply select the items you want to be backed up and the software handles the rest. You can choose to do this in bulk when you’re away from your computer, or in real time. The service only costs $5 per month and could save you a lot of future headaches.
Online Collaboration
Are you relying on emails to collaborate with your coworkers? Traditional communication tools aren’t nearly as efficient as the latest software solutions. Online collaboration tools offer a diverse collection of functions and features. You can find a collaboration tool that’s suited to any size company, from large corporations to small startups. If you’re trying to track the activities of a larger group, you may want to prioritize features that let you easily store older conversations. A smaller group might benefit from snappy chat features.
You can track and manage workflow, markup shared PDF files, or generate easy reports with these versatile communication tools. You can even take computer conversations mobile using a piece of software that works with a compatible app. Going online with your business collaboration can help you work better with employees, whether they’re across the office or logging in remotely from the other side of the world.
Accounting and Invoicing
Image via Flickr by free pictures of money
Money management is essential for every business, but it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming or difficult as you may believe. The right software can transform the way you handle your accounting and invoicing tasks. Software like Sage 50 Accounting can help you automate purchasing and shipping, manage your contacts, and track sales. You can quickly generate reports, evaluate your financial statements, process billing, and track employee compensation with the right tools.
Don’t use multiple money management tools when you can consolidate your efforts. Choose a single application for all your financial tasks. If you can’t afford to employ an extensive accounting department, you can still get all the benefits of a dedicated team by using a program that’s ideally sized for your business. Whether you’re buying for a single user or a whole team, an accounting program that’s compatible with your business will help you track every dollar and pinch every penny.
Customer Relationship Management
Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps you collect and evaluate data from your customers. Businesses today have a wealth of information available to them, but the true key is turning the numbers, polls, and statistics into something actionable. CRM software gives you valuable insights into both back-end and predictive analytics.
You can choose a CRM system that’s customized for your unique business needs. Freshdesk is ideal for tracking your customer support activities and evaluating customer satisfaction with ticket resolution. If you’re looking for something both streamlined and affordable, you can use a product like PipelineDeals to evaluate hundreds of custom data fields. The solutions are as diverse as the companies who use them so that you can find a product for nearly any need.
If you’re struggling to boost your efficiency, turn to these smart software options that will help you do more, spend less, and take your business further.
