By AT&T Business Circle Contributor
We’ve all heard the expression, “There’s an app for that!” This statement is particularly true in the business arena, where mobile apps can now do an astonishing array of tasks. Business owners use their smartphones for everything from monitoring remote operations to receiving payment for their services. As the workforce becomes more mobile, we can expect the trend to continue to grow — quickly.
Here are five ways businesses are using mobile apps to help increase productivity, improve customer service, and boost sales:
1. Support sales activities
One business owner uses a sales support app to help her salespeople reduce busywork so they can focus on closing more deals. The app lets them store contact information, use maps, and manage their sales pipeline more efficiently when they’re on the road, while she uses it to generate sales reports. They also use an expense tracking app to simplify expense reporting and reimbursement. They’re even able to snap pictures of expense receipts with their phone cameras and print, view, and email expense reports straight from their phones.
2. Improve fleet management
Companies of all kinds are using GPS-based workforce management apps to improve oversight of remote operations. A company called Streetblimps uses an app to track its roving fleet of mobile billboards, allowing it to show clients where the ads are any time. Other apps include a timecard feature so employees can record and submit hours through their smartphones.
3. Complete and submit forms
Apps can even help companies make their products and services better. Data entry apps like ProntoForms enable users to fill out and submit forms through their smartphones rather than faxing or hand delivering them to an office. They can be a significant timesaver for field workers in a variety of industries, including property management and healthcare.
4. Process payments
Several point-of-service apps can be used at home parties, street fairs, and farmers’ markets to bring in more sales. The apps let retailers who sell their wares outside a storefront accept credit and debit cards with their smartphones. Business owners can key customers’ card information right into their phones or use an attachable card reader to accept payment. They can then email or text customers a receipt.
5. Serve patients better
Pediatricians can use an app to retrieve drug and disease information, along with drug dosages, side effects, and pricing. Medical professionals are increasingly using apps of this sort to deliver care more effectively. In addition to providing information, the apps also help doctors and nurses monitor patients remotely.
As mobile devices and apps become more integrated in your workforce, having a secure way to manage them all is becoming more important. Mobile device management platforms can help improve your oversight of the devices your staff use and allow you to deploy apps across your company.
We know you need more than just cold information, technical solutions and the latest devices. You need a place where you can talk to business owners just like you – who might’ve tried something you haven’t or found a tech solution you didn’t know was out there. It’s all about finding the freedom to do what you love. AT&T is here to help you make connections and find answers that help you build your business. And we need your help, so we invite you to share your stories, too.
This story originally appeared on AT&T Business Circle.
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