Mobile Unified Communications Featured Article

Another day, another app and another addition to the never ending list! The app arena is definitely getting crowded, but there still doesn't seem to be a letup. So how do companies and businesses know what's good for them? A do-gooder like GetApp, a free online marketplace, has identified a list of apps that appear to find favor with the mob.

The list is especially useful for emerging startups and small businesses that are trying to get a foothold in the corporate world and require a little help from the outside.

So what do startups look for in apps? Obviously as they operate on limited budgets, cost would be a primary factor, so any app should induce cost-savings. As the business grows, the app also needs to be able to incorporate such growth, so flexibility and scalability are high on the cards. Of course the end to which everything is directed is better productivity, and when all is said and done, the app needs to be user friendly and simple.

GetApp has prepared a list of 25 such popular apps, ideal for small businesses.

For any company, small or big CRM plays an important role, and the Zoho (News - Alert) Business Management Suite recommended by GetApp seems to be a good place to start. The freemium model of this online Web-based CRM app is free for up to three users and gives a holistic view of the whole sales scenario. Its ability to integrate with other products and offer easy collaboration with a focus on increasing productivity does appear to augur a healthy start.

What will any company do without full time support? Desk.com, stated to be the first full-time free support agent, pulls all customer service conversations to one collaborative desktop, from where it can be prioritized and handled with ease. Support can be delivered by e-mail, over the social media, chat or even over the phone.

You've got support in place and the CRM is doing its stuff, but what about organizing workflows and workplace activities? Don't worry – GetApp has advocated Planbox, a powerful and easy-to-use agile project management tool that allows small teams in companies of all sizes to plan, collaborate and deliver more efficiently.

With TribeHR to automatically manage frustrating things like vacation time, job descriptions, performance, skills and goals – and FreeAgent to manage books and accounts – small businesses and startups can breathe easy and focus on their essential activities.

Thanks to GetApp, businesses and startups don't have to sweat it out looking for tools that will help them.