The iPhone provides the combined power of a PDA and a personal computer. In addition, the wide variety of applications available allows for the syncing of data across a large number of profiles and user accounts. The iPhone is now just as useful for an employer as it is for an employee. It therefore comes as no surprise that application developers are now offering integration services that enable organizations to customize software for their business processes.
However, the best way to use the iPhone for business efficiency is to use the products that have swarmed the market as a result of extensive iPhone applications development. Below are a few examples of the manner in which an iPhone can be used as a business efficiency tool.
1. iWork – The Fantastic Five Apps
The iWork basic productivity suite consists of 5 apps that help people in improving their productivity across a wide range of businesses. The iWork package consists of Pages, Numbers, Keynote (iOS version of MSWord, MSExcel, and MSPowerpoint, respectively), iMovie and iPhoto. Previously, these features had to be purchased but now they are being offered for free by Apple with its latest devices. Clearly, the pressure from big competitors like Google and Microsoft is making Apple take it up a notch!
The fact that Apple has recently enabled iCloud to be accessed from different browser versions such as Chrome and Internet Explorer, only serves to improve productivity of common businesspeople. This is so because they can now save their work on iCloud, access it, and edit it using different browsers and platforms. The only thing they require is an Apple ID and password.
More power to the users, I’d say.
2. Analytics Apps
Analytics apps enable the active tracking of data through the iPhone. These applications allow for effective and efficient reporting of process progression across the value chain. For instance, managers can use these applications to stay in touch with their employees while keeping an eye on customer reviews and approval ratings. Analytics apps also allow users to receive summary reports generated by the application at specified intervals.
The iPhone serves as an ideal business efficiency tool by allowing analytics apps to generate visitor reports, traffic reports, content reports and event tracking reports. As a result, individuals using analytics apps on the iPhone can stay connected to the actual progress towards goal achievement. Well known examples of such applications include Analytics for iPad, Analytics StatsWidget, Quicklytics, My Analytics and iPhone Dashboard for Google Analytics.
3. Social Business Networking
The iPhone supports a host of networking websites and applications that can play a major role in business efficiency development and expansion. For instance, the iPhone can be used to keep in touch with customers through twitter while notifications from PayPal notify of sales as they take place.
Managers looking to make business-to-business connections can use LinkedIn to get in touch with other people in the industry while using applications such as Evernote. Needless to say, all the work on their iPhone will sync seamlessly with their desktop. In addition, there are other applications such as the Calendar and Notes that allow users to keep track of appointments and draw up calculations within seconds.
4. Time is Money
Perhaps the most admirable quality of the iPhone as a business efficiency tool is that it allows users to carry out operations that save valuable time. Applications such as Genius Scan and Dragon Dictation are ideal examples of iPhone applications; development that allow managers to save time by carrying out tasks while on the road. Furthermore, the cross-application compatibility between different applications makes the iPhone an ideal business tool for the new entrepreneur as well as for the multinational manager.
Conclusion
The user-friendly interface and minimal learning curve make the iPhone ideal for every businessperson, no matter what the industry. It also merits noting that using the iPhone for business efficiency is an extremely cost effective way to manage tasks and keep an eye on processes. Most applications are free, and those that charge for advanced packages provide exceptional service for nominal rates. The 64-Bit processor in the new iPhone, coupled with exceptional graphics and ease-of-use of the iPad, has resulted in iOS devices becoming increasingly suitable for basic business usage. The time does not seem far when smartphones and tablet PCs will completely replace desktops and laptops.
As Bob Dylan said, “The Times They Are a-Changin’”.
