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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
O2 Business

Six ways SMBs can benefit from smartphones

Whether your company employs 30 people or 300 people, your business depends on teamwork, easy communication and client connectivity. Introducing smartphones into your operations opens up a whole world of increased productivity and efficiency. Here's how:

Ready when you are

Sitting on a train or queuing for coffee used to mark dead time for the busy businessperson, and small, otherwise easily achievable tasks would pile up into a daunting heap. With a smartphone, you're always contactable via email, allowing you to capitalise on every opportunity and solve potential problems.

Access everything from everywhere

Calls and emails are just the beginning. Smartphones can also give you access to all your files via the cloud. This means that with a stable internet connection you're no longer chained to your desk and can work from anywhere in the world.

Thanks to the variety of cloud apps on the market, you can access and edit Microsoft Office files and even access e-mail offline via your smartphone. Apps such as Dropbox, Evernote* or Office Mobile for Office 365 let you access files remotely and sync them across numerous devices, enabling you to respond quickly and efficiently to all the demands of running your business. It's like taking your PC with you everywhere you go.

Make the most of rich media

Smartphones offer an impressive variety of built-in media functions such as cameras, voice recording and video playback, making it easy to capture and document information on the move.

A personal assistant in your pocket

With in-built personal organisers, electronic diaries, contact lists and reminders, a smartphone acts like a personal assistant, helping you manage your busy schedule and make the most of your day.

The world at your fingertips

Current affairs, business news, and financial updates – everything you need to know is in the palm of your hand with a smartphone. Access the whole internet at the touch of a button, and manage your company's social channels in real time, on the move.

For work and play

Smartphones are brilliant for work, but their usefulness doesn't stop when you clock off. Built-in settings and external apps mean you can easily switch from "work mode" to "down time" and unwind after a long day with music, films, games or a catch up with friends – all from one device.

*Evernote Premium is exclusively available to all O2 customers for free. To redeem the one-year Evernote Premium account, upgrade via http://evernote.o2.co.uk/ before 24 October 2014.

Content on this page is produced and controlled by O2 Business

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