Five technologies small businesses should be using everyday

Technology can’t solve all small business problems, but it can make day-to-day life and work easier. Here are five tools every small business should use everyday. They cut costs, add capability and help your company punch above its weight. None are expensive:

Smartphones, tablets and mobile apps

Phones can do so much more than make voice calls. If you do nothing else, use them to get mail while on the move. There are millions of mobile apps replacing almost every possible computing task.

Many apps are cheap and easy to use. A phone means you have all the information and functionality you need where-ever you are. Expect to pay around NZ$1000 for a decent smartphone or tablet. Apps are usually less than NZ$10. 

Cloud computing

Storing documents and data in the cloud is cheaper than running your own servers and far less trouble. Back-ups are automatic. Best of all, you can get at important information from your mobile devices while away from home or the office.
Some basic cloud services are free.

Annual subscriptions for more storage will rarely run to more than a few hundred dollars.

Software as a service

Software as a service (SaaS) delivers applications online. Remote servers do the heavy lifting, this means  you can use powerful applications from a phone or tablet. Done well, SaaS means zero administration – you no longer need to worry about updates or making back-ups. Not always cheap, expect to pay anywhere up to around NZ$70 a month per application. 

Digital communications

This includes voice-over-IP calls, instant messaging, video conferencing and collaboration tools. Staying in touch is important. The specific tools depend on what you do, in each case the cost of digital communications is lower than conventional communications and often there are other advantage. Largely free, although you’ll need to pay for the data traffic. 

Company website

Go where the customers are; online. A website tells people where to find you and what to expect when they do. You can list your products and services, even do business directly from your own web site. Basic sites are free, expect to pay around $2000 for a more complicated, professionally made site.