How to choose the right computer equipment for your business to increase your productivity and efficiency without it costing the earth.
Business software helps you complete a range of tasks. Choose the right software, provide support and train your staff with our introduction.
It is highly likely that you depend on the internet for some aspects of your business. Find out how you can use the internet more effectively.
Good communication with customers, partners and suppliers is vital for business success. This summary explores business communication methods.
How would you cope if your IT system failed or was breached? We cover the main IT security issues and how to protect against them.
Good IT management can help you choose, use and implement IT. Our overview helps you manage IT in a way that maximises the return on your investment.
IT support is vital if you rely on your IT system. But how can you set up an effective safety net in case things go wrong? We explore the options.
Getting the right IT is just the first step. Appropriate training, policies and working practices can help you maximise return on your IT investment.
Mobile devices have transformed business. The days of bulky laptops, cumbersome smartphones and expensive tablets are long gone, replaced by a new generation of super-thin, powerful devices of all sizes. And, with an all-day battery life, these devices enable us to remain productive wherever we happen to be.
Such devices are now an intrinsic part of everyday life, and your employees may be using their own at work whether you want them to or not. The 'bring your own device' (BYOD) culture is rising and makes the task of considering how mobile devices could fit into your business all the more important.
Mobile devices come in many forms, but the most common categories are:
Mobile devices are evolving at a blistering pace and the lines between the above categories are continuing to blur. Laptops look set to be the biggest casualty with many business people and consumers now opting for smartphones and tablets as their main computing devices.
Your choice of mobile device will depend heavily on how you intend to use it. It is worth bearing in mind that it is now very common for people to switch between devices depending on their location and the task in hand.
Business people usually settle for one of the following mobile device combinations:
The smartphone is, without doubt, a regular fixture in business. It offers convenient, ever-present internet connectivity, impressive computing power and is portable enough to be slipped into any pocket or bag. The ability to 'tether' devices in order to leverage your smartphone's internet connection make it an essential travel companion for business.
When Microsoft launched the Surface in 2012, they challenged the preconception that laptops were the only device worthy of mobile computing. Fast-forward to 2015, and Apple launched the iPad Pro, a huge, 12.9” version of their incredibly popular device which prompted many to consider the possibility of replacing their laptop with a tablet.
The answer depends largely on the type of work you do. If you spend most of your time emailing, web surfing and document editing, modern tablets with their significant grunt and multitasking capabilities will work well. If you're a creative who relies heavily on processing power for graphical, video or audio work, a powerful laptop is still the best bet.
Another thing to consider is your preference for input devices. If you prefer traditional keyboards and love the tactile feedback of a mouse, a tablet may not be for you. The latter requires a shift from traditional input methods to touchscreen navigation and compact keyboards.
Stylus devices like the Apple Pencil also offer compelling, traditional input methods for creatives and those who prefer to take written notes.
Mobile apps should enable the people within your business to complete specific tasks efficiently. We now live in an age where almost anything is possible on a mobile device, with apps largely possessing the same features and capabilities as their desktop counterparts.
Examples of the business tasks you can undertake with mobile device apps are as follows:
Augmented reality (AR) is expected to be the next big revolution in mobile app development with smartphones and tablets soon to be capable of 'placing' digital objects in real-world scenarios.
How AR will benefit small businesses remains to be seen, but the ability to experiment with the placement of virtual objects such as product prototypes and office furniture is compelling.
Mobile apps typically come in two flavours:
When choosing a mobile device for your business, take some time to consider the software you rely on and research the availability of native or web-based apps. App developers don't always build their software for every mobile operating system, therefore your choice may be limited to one or two devices.
Mobile devices are only at their most useful when connected to the internet. When you choose a mobile device, you'll need to consider how you're likely to use it and the sort of connection you might need.
There are two main types of mobile internet connection:
While it is possible to obtain tablets that include SIM card slots for mobile broadband access, think carefully before paying extra for this feature. If you have a smartphone with a comprehensive data contract, you should be able to tether your tablet to it in order to share the data connection. Just bear in mind that tethering costs extra on some networks.
When choosing a mobile device for your business, you may want to consider the following additional features:
For your employees, it is worth experimenting with a BYOD policy. Quite often, you'll only discover relevant business-cases for mobile devices once you start working with them, therefore if you have employees who are happy to bring in their own tablets, allow them to do so and monitor their productivity.
Lastly, and like all technology, mobile devices can have their downsides and present challenges for users.
With email and business software just a tap away, it can be hard for your staff to switch off from work - particularly if colleagues have a habit of replying at all hours. Do you need to implement policies to help your employees maintain a good work-life balance?
There are also potential security risks associated with mobile devices. Smartphones now contain all manner of sensitive information that could do serious damage to your business if it fell into the wrong hands. Think about how to protect your mobile devices and the data they contain.
