Improve you workflow with these handy Apps

Are you starting currently looking at other small businesses and admiring how they do things? Are you wondering how they got themselves into a position where everything seems to run without a hitch? 
If so, it may be the case that you are simply missing out on some of the easy to use and readily available apps and software tools.  After all if you don't know they exist you will not be using them.  As IT experts we like to keep keep on top of all apps and software systems that are available for small businesses, especially if they are affordable,  can help not only ourselves but also our clients. 
This month we look at different softwares and apps that can help your business improve it's productivity and workflow and can hopefully help you make your life a little easier. 

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Keep a track of your project data with...
Evernote
If you are working on a project then the ideal, affordable data collection tool is Evernote.
Whether it's simply storing notes/reminders for yourself, to collecting PDF documents, photos, web pages, video/audio samples or lists of tasks to complete for clients, this tool is a simple to use project management tool.
Describing itself as ‘your second brain’, this cross functional device (can be used on phones, tablets, laptops etc). 
It offers free personnel solutions and has business packages starting from as little as £10 per user per month. So if you are looking at starting a project and are wondering how to collate all the data in a constructive way, give it a go...

Keep your all your data with...
Google Drive
The most well known method for storing data is via Google Drive, with it's weath of tools that are available across pretty much all devices.
Spreadsheets, documents, presentations, and more files can not only be stored and edited, but it is also simple to create new ones using their free tools.
Working on a project with a partner at a distance is not a problem, as real-time collaboration allows users the option of working on any document together, adding comments and making live edits. 
Storage options vary with the first 15GB being free, with further options to extend to 30Gb costing only £3.30 per month and great value business plans starting at £6.60 that can be trialled free. 
Google drive's main contender is Dropbox. This also has great affordable business plans, but it unlike the 15GB of free storage space you get with Google Drive, with Dropbox, you are initially limited to only 2GB. If you are in the position that you are able to delete data once it has been used, it may be the one to consider. 

Simple communication with...
​Whypay
Keeping in touch with your clients and team-members working away from the office is made much easier than ever today, thanks to video conferencing tools. Skype, Uberconference and freeconferencecall are just some of the many used systems that are used by various businesses to keep in touch with their partners and clients across the globe. Whypay is the one system that we have found that works out cheaper. It is a communication system that you can simply sign into, create a conference room and then, providing you have suficient minutes in your phone bundle, find yourself free to chat at no cost. Once you open an account you will also find that it has free tools that let you manage emails, keep a history of all conference calls and if required, it can also make recordings of your conferences/calls. 

Get your business seen on social media with..
Hootsuite 
If you are to busy concentrating on your business or don't have your own in house marketing department, then Hootsuite can get your business on the social media map. It is a simple to use social media campaign orginser, which integrates with all of the most popular networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. It saves you the hassle of logging onto different sites, remembering different passwords and lets you monitor the engagement for all, from one dashboard.
Prices do get a bit costly if you are launching a huge campaign, but for small businesses who want to publish 3-4 items a month, they have a great package at £16 per month, which many businesses find useful. 

Most importantly of all, please remember that if you do download any programme or App, make sure it is from a reliable source. All the sites mentioned above are. 
If you need any help progressing your business or would like more advice on business communication, marketing, IT security or data storage, please get in touch with our team. With over 20+ years in the business, we can show you the most efficient and cost effective way to ensure that your business keeps growing and not struggling.  ​