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Technology exists in business today for a single main purpose; to increase efficiency. Unfortunately many software packages today seem to become increasingly convoluted and inflexible. Sometimes information must be entered twice into two or more systems, and the tools themselves are complicated and expensive.

Then there’s web software – a new software delivery model allows businesses to take advantage of productivity tools that can be customized, integrated and are accessible from anywhere. The days of “shrink wrapped” software are numbered, and delivering flexible, customizable web software is finding a lot of traction. Rather than freezing what features are available, web software can grow and change with a business. It is also very secure. It’s stored in a secure data center and accessed with a web browser by taking advantage of the same encryption used for online banking. If your firm uses web software and your laptop is stolen, you don’t lose any confidential information.

So what type of tools are we looking at? One of the most popular new web productivity tools is mobile collaboration. It allows the user to synchronize their calendar, contacts, and email automatically between a mobile device, Outlook, and any web browser. It also allows users to view other workers calendars, schedule meetings, and share contacts. Another popular tool is “CRM”, or Customer Relationship Management. This tool allows sales professionals to track leads, project sales pipelines, and manage communication. These tools are just a few examples of what can be done with web software. Almost any business application today will be accessible from the web in the future, and many already are available.

This software is viewed through a web browser, allowing it to be accessed from anywhere. These applications can also be accessed on mobile devices such as Treo, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile devices. This is a great benefit for individuals who need to work from home or on the road. Studies have shown that mobile information access can add another hour of productivity to the workday of the average professional.

Another advantage of web software is integration. These tools can be connected to each other so information doesn’t have to entered multiple times. Although this is also possible in traditional software, it is generally much easier and more flexible in web software. For instance, a professional might enter contact information into his or her Treo device. This information is automatically sent to Outlook and entered into CRM software (Customer Relationship Management) software. Another example is tracking client information for quoting, billing, and inventory management from a single location.

Web software can also be purchased as a service. Rather than purchasing a server, buying the software, and deploying the solution, smaller companies can simply purchase access to the software. This decreases their overall cost, for example, from an upfront cost of $10,000 to a mere $100 a month subscription. This model helps small businesses take advantage of tools they previously couldn’t afford.

These tools help busy people do more in less time. Flexible software helps keep businesses organized, knowledgeable, and gives them a distinct competitive advantage. Web software is starting to gain major traction in the business world, and it’s worth taking time to learn how web tools fit your business.