Cutting costs with mobile apps?

Mobile technology

There are currently thought to be around 6.2 million smartphone users in the UK and alongside the phones is a flourishing market in mobile applications (apps). A flurry of money-saving apps allowed users to save nearly £2 billion last year, and the savings are set to grow. Competition is heating up amongst providers and the resulting price war is pushing down the cost.

Why use them?

Businesses are starting to realise that providing mobile access to certain business applications can increase productivity and revenue. For example, an app could be used to allow specific users to enter PIN numbers into secure software they would normally only be able to use in the office, or be able to link up to any software already being used by the business. For some companies, being able to fill in forms on site might increase efficiency, e.g. a surveyor may need to inspect machinery on site, fill in a form manually and then input the data collected on to the computer when he arrives back at the office. Using a specially developed mobile application could mean he is able to fill in the form whilst on site and have the data saved directly on to the computer.

Take your pick

The range of apps with a business use is already considerable and growing all the time. The developers of many of the most widely-used business software packages have been quick to build “mobile-friendly” versions. Popular apps for businesses include: an e-mail client, cash flow calculator, VAT calculator, price comparison tool, expenses record, budgeting tool, presentations (one phone has a built-in projector), file sharing with company databases/servers and accounting software.

Before you get carried away with the multitude of apps available for businesses, there are a few simple rules to follow:

• always try out free apps first
• track how much you spend on apps
• set a limit on what you’ll spend
• only choose apps you really will use
• delete unused apps regularly
• don’t let apps run in the background on your phone - it drains battery
• double-check the information you get from apps, especially when looking for cheap deals on expensive items like airfares.