Five Top Mobile Apps for Business Owners on the Go

Time is money, and with the invention of smartphones, business owners are used to real-time email access and immediate responses. Now with operating systems like the iPhone, Android and RIM (BlackBerry OS system), applications are making things even easier. You can find an app for just about anything these days—even ones that will turn lights out for you. Here are some apps for small business owners and sole proprietors.


Google Mobile App

This app is great if you already use the Google family of products - Gmail, Google Calendar and Docs.. This app allows you to have access to your Gmail contacts and retrieve/review any Google Doc. Android based phones, iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile are all compatible with this app. Being able to sync your phone to your Google Calendar helps with time management and syncing your personal life with your business appointments.


Zosh

This eco-friendly app is helpful for those of us sending out a large amount of faxes to clients, partners, etc. The service can be found online and in a mobile version if you have an iPhone. Zosh allows you to sign, date and send a document all within your iPhone. You can purchase this app in the Apple App Store for $2.99

Quickbooks Online

If you use Quickbooks to manage your finances, there is now a mobile version. Rick Jensesn, senior vice president of Intuit’s Small Business Division says that, "a growing number of small businesses are looking to mobile technology to run their business. Our goal with these new mobile services is to give QuickBooks Online users the edge they need to compete and manage their busy lives by keeping tabs on their business even when they are out of the office." The app is now available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android based smartphones.

Evernote

If you have ever been stuck in a situation where you wish you had a pen and paper, Evernote seems to solve that problem for you. This app which is compatible for iPhone users, BlackBerry, Android, Palm Pre / Palm Pixi and Windows Mobile can be synced to your computer so you never have to forget a great idea again. You can organize pictures, memos and all available to tag and search with keywords.

XpenseTracker

Keeping track of company expenses is easier said than done for some people. A lost receipt could have your heart pumping, while you’re frantically searching your purse. XpesneTracker is a great alternative for anyone who may not have the best track record. It will allow you to take pictures of receipts and record your expenses all in one app. You also will be able to, “export them to your desktop in an Excel friendly format. Photo receipts are also exported to your desktop computer as well.” This app is available for iPhone users only for the moment.

If you company sends out a lot of mailings, postage calculation can become a hassle. Postage machines can help when it comes to printing and calculating postage, but for now only people living in the UK can take advantage of an iPhone app that will calculate postage on the go. Maybe an idea for you entrepreneurs out there—develop a USPS app for calculating postage!

Getting organized and having great apps to help you along the way are key for any business, especially when you are starting out. With technology growing everyday, who knows what great things are ahead of us.

Shannon Suetos is an expert writer on postage scales based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs at Resource Nation.