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Mobile Apps Spurs Small Business Growth

You have probably seen the commercials from the competing cellular carriers boasting that they have the most coverage, the most speed, the lowest rates, and generally are the best choice for your cellular provider. Their competition for customers has resulted in technology innovations that put a wealth of information in the palm of our hands. Is this technology only for personal use or can companies benefit, too? For over a decade now, large companies have used mobile computers for their mobile workforce. Almost everyone has seen a UPS or FedEx driver using a mobile computer to record a package's pick up or delivery time and capture the recipient's signature. Utilizing the cellular radio built-in to the mobile computer, that data is quickly sent to the main system and made available to anyone checking the tracking number on their website or via their phone system. FedEx and UPS spent millions of dollars to get these applications up and running, but thanks to technology updates, we are seeing similar applications become affordable for even small businesses. Software companies are starting to recognize that small to medium businesses (SMB) actually make a large part of the market. 2GO Software is a company putting a strong focus on providing mobile solutions in the SMB space. Many of their customers report a return on investment in less than 5 months. For example, a HVAC company with 10 technicians has brought in over $6,000 of additional profit each month. Other companies with larger install bases have seen additional profits of $100,000 plus. There are mobile applications for field sales and service, direct store delivery (DSD), signature proof (POD), asset management, and surveys & forms. Workers in the field can now access the latest pricing information and customer information. They can also edit or add to orders while still in the field. This cuts down on paperwork and administrative hours as it eliminates the double or triple data entry that is seen in the traditional clipboard and pen applications. Invoices get submitted faster so billing cycles are also reduced. These are just a few of the benefits that companies are realizing from mobility solutions.