The number of cloud-based software tools available to business owners is staggering. (We mean that in a good way.) Going back even just a few years, it was hard to imagine the amounts of programs and apps that would be at the fingertips of entrepreneurs. Cloud-based software has become big business and the market is expanding at a rapid rate. Companies should have an IT strategy that centers on cloud-based software, as the benefits have proven significant. Familiarize yourself with these apps and you’ll be in good shape.
Buddy Punch
Remember the days of manual time card system? We shudder just thinking about them. They were time-consuming, unfeasible and easy to mess up. A centralized time tracking tool, Buddy Punch streamlines the process of monitoring employees work times. Portals, dashboards, online access and a dedicated app make this a service that business owners should consider.
Office 365
Chances are that lots of your clients, colleagues, partners and competitors have Office 365, making it a good idea for you to get familiar with the cloud version of Microsoft Office’s suite. If you don’t believe us, listen to this – Microsoft announced that Office 365 now has more than 155 million monthly active users. Office 365 falls in the category of productivity software, as it includes full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and more for up to five PCs. You also get a host of mobile apps, online storage and real-time integration capabilities.
SalesForce
Remember what we said about lots of people using Office 365? If you’re in sales, the same applies here, only this time for SalesForce. According to the company, over 15,000 organizations use the product. A customer relationship management tool, this platform is dedicated to sales, ecommerce, service and marketing. Salesforce has applications for Outlook and small businesses as well as an enterprise edition.
G Suite
G Suite is Google’s answer to Microsoft’s productivity software. The main G Suite applications, which do not have desktop coutnerparts, are Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Google+, Sites, Hangouts and Keep. The most popular component of the suite is Gmail, which boasts over 1 billion monthly active users.
Dropbox
One of the original cloud-storage platforms, the service is still widely used by companies today. Dropbox aims to keep your files together in one central spot, all while saving time and space. The service allows users to move files – think images, videos or documents – off their devices (computers, tablets, and onto a database in the cloud. Other popular features include automatic file backup and restoration, integration capabilities and the ability to work offline.
Conclusion
Like it or not, we’ve all got our heads in the clouds. The days of paper files and desktop storage are long gone. Whether your business specializes in sales, consulting, accounting, finance or something altogether different, it’s a good idea to explore cloud-based platforms. There’s something out there that will fit your purpose.
