If you’re a business owner, chances are you need to keep up-to-date every minute of every day in order to keep your business running smoothly. And not only do you need to be consistently plugged-in but your employees do too. If this sounds like you, you need to think about exactly how you’re going to ensure twenty four-seven connectivity so that your business runs like the well-oiled machine it should be. The best way to do that is by providing a seamless user experience between computer, tablet (if you offer this) and smartphone for your employees and yourself so that there is one less thing to worry about on a day-to-day basis. However, this task is typically much easier said than done. With so many options out there, how do you choose what is right for your business?
First, determine whether you and your business are “a Mac”, or “a PC”. PC devices are typically cheaper and there are more kinds of smartphones to choose from within the PC/Android realm (after all, Mac only has the one device) but, if you provide Mac laptops or desktops chances are you’ll probably want the seamless experience you can get by using all Mac, all the time and the iPhone will be the most optimal choice for you.
Make sure whatever device you choose is compatible with all the various software programs you already use as a company, and that integrating the new smartphones with the calendar programs, email programs and any other applications or programs that will be a must have to conduct business properly won’t pose any problems or cause any downtime within the company. Take the time to speak with your IT person to get his/her recommendation. He or she likely know best what will work for your company and, will be familiar with any tech problems that should be taken into consideration before you make your purchase.
No matter what device you choose though, shop around with different service providers for the best package deal. You may have some leverage as soon as the salesperson you’re speaking with realizes you need 20 phones all with data packages.
Afterall, Smartphones are expensive devices. It’s likely that you’re about to spend a small fortune on data packages, phone lines and the actual device itself. Once you decide on the perfect smartphone for your business, make sure you keep your investment safe. Spend the extra money and protect your investment with accident insurance. It’s a small monthly fee that will pay for itself the first time you need to replace one of those suckers because it gets left in a taxi, or falls in a toilet. Another good way to elongate the life of your new device is by physically protecting it with a case. Lifeproof brand cases are among the best protectors out there. A Lifeproof case will protect your iPhones, and iPads not only from daily coffee spills at the office, but also shockingly hard blows, snow and mud. So go ahead, hire that extremely qualified candidate who also lists ten extreme sports as his/her favorite pastime and rest easy knowing the company phone will be safe.
