Mobile Technology Reshaping Small Business

Mobile technologies are creating a big impact on small businesses, according to a recent report conducted by AT&T and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. This report found that small business owners that have implemented smart phones and tablets in their daily business activities have gained $67.5 billion a year from this incorporation of mobile technology. The report shows that mobile technology saves businesses money ($32.3 billion dollars annually) and time (1.24 billion hours). Bizness Apps outlines a few more of the perks of mobile technology below:

·         Employee productivity: According to the report, small business owners and employees are using their smart phones seven days a week – even in companies that may only be open five days a week.

·         The use of smart phones is huge: Small businesses are using smart phones for just about everything, and the numbers are growing. In 2013, the number of small businesses using smart phones was 85%; this year it is 94%.

·         More apps are being used: The report recalled that approximately 77% of small businesses are using mobile apps, sometimes three or four at a time. GPS, navigation and map apps were the most popular.

·         Companies are also using apps: Many small businesses are using apps for every day functions like planning trips, GPS navigation, remote document access, banking and finance, and more.

·         Mobile Banking is the new thing: 34% of small businesses surveyed use mobile banking at least once a week, with only 18% opting out of mobile banking.

·         Smart phones aren’t the only device proving helpful: Tablets and other devices that use apps are also saving businesses money. Tablets saved small businesses 754.2 million hours and $19.6 billion a year, and apps themselves have saved businesses 599.6 million hours and $15.6 billion a year.

Smartphones and USB Flash Drives Should be Treated as Toothbrushes – Personal Use Only

Universal Serial Bus ports (USB) have become essential because they are just that, universal. Cell phone chargers, computer mice, printers, keyboards and more can all connect to your computer with ease because of the universality of USB ports. But that ease of connection may actually be considered a flaw, as anything that connects via USB to your computer can be reprogrammed to pose as another device. A USB stick could be programmed to pose as a keyboard, then type commands that allow complete control of your computer. USBs can also pose as network cards, which allow rerouting of your internet traffic so that everything you view may be viewed by someone else. These situations can lead to identity theft, bank fraud, extortion and more. Unfortunately, antivirus and protection software cannot catch these issues, as it is not technically a computer virus. To protect your computer and your personal information, do not let just anyone charge their phone or plug a USB drive into your computer. Security experts recommend considering your USB drives as personal use only, and to be extremely cautious when allowing others access.