Thoughts on Technology Issues for Small Business Top Five Technologies for Small Business

The ability to compute, collaborate and communicate will continue to expand, putting pressure on business to react more quickly and effectively. To put the right technology into place, you have to ask “How do I want to work tomorrow?” and follow up with “Does my technology support working that way?

Tablet Devices Voice over IP Credit Card over IP Each of these issues will help drive the cost of doing business and having the wrong Solution in place will cost you money. Cloud Computing CRM Software

* Best known is the Apple iPad * One way to look at it is as an e-clipboard * Easy to carry * Excellent graphics * Lots of applications * Biggest drawbacks currently * Doesn’t play nicely with corporate IT * Target for theft * Doesn’t work with lots of peripheral devices

* It is becoming more prevalent * Applications are being delivered from the internet * Download free trials * Updates delivered automatically * Online help and FAQ * Applications run from the Cloud * Banking * Accounting (QB online) * Webinars (like this) * Your business applications * Biggest Drawback is having multiple clouds doing different things

* Emerging technology to replace POTS * Best when tied to a virtual PBX * High quality phone management for no investment * Departments * Phone “follow me” so you are always in contact * Internet Provider Independence * Critical to be able to take calls where ever you are * Apps for smart phones

* Critical to track customer data * Allows you to monitor communications * Set up drip marketing campaigns * Who is working where * Capture data to help identify future prospects * Target marketing to specific types of clients * Document management

* Take credit card payment without old fashioned land line * Home-based employees can log in and enter data * Mobile employees can swipe using smart phone * Eliminates risk of cash * Speed up collection * Extremely convenient for customers * Can settle immediately, no waiting for invoices * Really useful for mid-range priced items * Service work, such as plumbing and HVAC repair benefit * Transaction costs are higher but may be worth the expense

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