By now, you can probably tell that my blog has a theme. The theme is how social media affects businesses. Mobile phone applications are quickly changing how businesses do their advertising, and how they may communicate with their employees. This article discusses what is called “The Android Effect,” which explains how Google’s Android has rewritten the rulebook on mobile phones.
Applications may pose the occasional security threat, and they often don’t do what you actually need them to do. The article discusses that it is “…a good idea to keep the business functions entirely separate from all the others with some strict classifications… Android could easily have a special, easily accessible business app stream saving a lot of false starts and finding where things are.”
The article does point out that Android does have some useful apps, including the following:
- Cashbook: A useful thing for any business, dealing with expenses.
- Mighty Meeting: A PowerPoint remote control for your phone.
- Spreadsheet: An Excel compatible app.
- GDocs: Portable Google docs on your phone.
- Docs to Go: Mobile Microsoft docs, PDF, and PowerPoint
- PocketCloud: You can use this to access your Microsoft, Apple, or Linux computer files and applications.
- Ignition: Remote access to computers by internet connections.
While these apps are a great start, businesses need more advanced tools to use their phones for business purposes. The concluding paragraph of this article sums up how the “Android Effect” is evolving: “Android’s major and very positive contribution to business apps so far is to raise the stakes and make “Apps for everything” obliged to become more than a few basic operations. With any luck, and perhaps some prodding from users, Android might turn business mobiles into true business tools.”
Another tool that businesses are starting to utilize is QR Codes, also known as Quick Response codes. This article discusses the basics of QR Codes, and everything else you need to know about them. These codes are used to give consumers immediate access to what is relevant, all the customer has to do is convert the code. Converting the code can be done easily by using one of many smartphone applications. All you have to do is take a picture of the code and it will convert it for you.
QR Codes look similar to bar codes, but they are able to hold more information and can link to digital content on the web. There are many practical uses of QR Codes, and they can be located in many different locations. Some common places that you may find QR Codes include: business cards, brochures/marketing materials, product tags, restaurant menus, or even event ticket stubs.
QR Codes can link to almost anything. Some common things that the codes link to might be instructions, directions, customer feedback forms, or coupons and special offers. QR Codes are very versatile and provide an opportunity to get your message out quickly. QR Codes have a lot of potential, and they utilize social media. Here is an example of a QR Code that links back to my blog:
I just decided to link to something simple, however the options are endless. They are easy and cheap, and are an effective way for a business to get the word out about their company.
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My favorite part about the first article you reference is that Dropbox is now on Android. My boss is just starting to use it and I'm sure it's something all of us will be using a lot more in the future.
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