copy of Microsoft Office somewhere in the building. All of the suite's applications are simply too close to being industry standards to ignore. It can be pricey, but you likely needn't worry about upgrading to the latest version--anything produced since the turn of the century should do. ($85 to $400 per user, depending on version)
Don't want to fork over beaucoup bucks for Office? We can't blame you--and this alternative suite will work for 95 percent of your productivity needs. OpenOffice.org is mostly compatible with Microsoft Office, and operations are similar enough that any Microsoft user should have no trouble using it. The big three apps--word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tool--are all here, along with a simple database and drawing tool. One caveat: OpenOffice has trouble with Office 2007 files; but the imminent new version, OpenOffice 3, is said to remedy that limitation. (free)
Project Management
Build complicated project timelines, to-do lists, and message boards, and share files among your team members-all via one simple-to-use Web tool. Basecamp can keep all your workers on task while letting everyone else know what other team members are up to. It can even track project time on a per-member basis, for creating detailed billing and reports when the job is done. ($24 to $149 per month, depending on number of projects managed)
Remote Access/Syncing
If all you need is occasional access to a single PC that isn't within walking distance, you can get by with this simple remote-access tool. LogMeIn lets you quickly connect to your office computer to grab a file or check an application you don't have on your laptop, all via any computer with a Web browser. (free to $20 per month)
If you regularly use more than one computer, keeping track of which machine has which version of which report can get a little confusing. The solution: Synchronize the PCs so you can ensure they're all up-to-the-minute, while protecting yourself in the event you made different changes to the same file on more than one PC. Unlike most traditional sync software, Syncplicity works over the Web, so you can sync from anywhere. (free for 2GB limit, to $10 per month for 40GB limit)
Security Suite
Yes, you need to protect your business with a solid antivirus package, but big-name, enterprise-level protection can be really expensive. At its most basic, Avira offers security for individual PCs for free (if you're willing to deal with one ad pop-up per day); but if you need protection for file and mail servers or other central services, Avira can provide such tools as well, for a generally reasonable price. (pricing varies by protection level)
Social Networking
When it comes to finding employees, contractors, service providers, and even outsourcing partners, LinkedIn has proven to be an invaluable tool for many businesses. But the real beauty of LinkedIn is something that becomes apparent only with use and time: As you expand your network--recommending other businesses, and otherwise participating--you may find that other LinkedIn users are recommending your business, as well. In addition, a Q&A system lets you ask for general advice on all matters business. (free, up to $50 per month for premium services)
Task Manager
Post-it notes and day planners are so 1988. Get your schedule, brainstorming notes, to-do lists, and just about anything else you have tacked up around your office into one place--your PC, that is--with Chandler. This free, open-source application gives you deep control over your day while still being easy enough to use that you'll never have to crack the manual. (free)
VoIP
Spend megabucks on your own PBX (private branch exchange), or spend nothing for a voice-over-IP setup like Skype for Business? If you're on a shoestring, the answer is clear. Sure, Skype can't easily handle things if, say, you want to run a tech support call center out of your basement. But for modest
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Great list! I use 99% of these myself for my freelance operations. If I might add one to the pile: TSheets. I use TSheets to track billable hours and to manage my own personal time. Their reporting features are great, and I recently found their app to go along with my shiny new iPhone. Great stuff.
http://www.tsheets.com
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You may also never forget to use a lead tracking software especially if you have leads to maintain. This is very important as you want to make sure that you don't get to lose one potential client or customer simply because you fail to make a follow-up or put a good amount of attention over their interest in what you're offering. With the kind of competition there is on the Internet (it's a dog-eat-dog world out there), you have to keep close watch over your leads. You can read more about what I'm talking about at Lead Tracking Info (http://www.leadtracking-info.com).
The list can be useful, but I think the author should have pointed to other options too. Just name some alternatives for each category. The thing is there're no best or worst tools, they are all imperfect. Each business finds the one that's best for it. Basecamp is a great tool, but it offers its own philosophy that might not suit some companies. Millions of business people use emails today, and email will remain the most popular communication tool. Basecamp does not leverage this fact, but tools like Wrike do.
Another online note-taking/wiki application you might wanna try out is Springnote (http://springnote.com/en). It’s a free hosted service with 2GB of file storage. On top of that, it comes with an easy wysiwyg editor - no need to know markup at all. Just like Confluence, it has search, tagging, page categorization/hierarchy, and file exporting. It’s already been covery by many famous media entities, like Lifehacker, ReadWriteWeb, and WebWorkerDaily. Definitely worth a look!
Don't forget www.tablists.com for online to do lists; and the best addin for Outlook 2007, OutlookTrackit, makes keeping track of emails you send to others a breeze.
If you'd like a tool for managing your projects, you can try this application inspired by David Allen's GTD:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version and iCal are available too.
Hope you like it.
That's a great list of useful tools - but be aware that for $5 a month you will only get the personal version of Mozy (MozyHome). This version specifically excludes backing up business data. MozyPro is the business version and is significantly more expensive.
Another option is to use Angel Backup for your online backup solution. Business data is permitted, it works out cheaper than MozyPro and comes highly recommended.
I think it's an interesting feature...,
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