For small businesses, technology is both a life-saver and a burden. On the one hand, it allows owners to streamline operations and handle tasks with great flair. On the other hand, the sheer haste with which new devices and upgrades are released makes it difficult to keep up.
However, most analysts would agree that the benefits far outweigh the negative. Just look at the new mobile card-reading device Square, which allows users to process credit card payments directly to their tablet computer or smartphone. This permits small-time entrepreneurs and startups to accept preferred payment methods without the need to set up a traditional point-of-sale terminal.
That's just one example of how technology has bolstered entrepreneurial capacities. But it's now clear that small business owners see the benefits in mobile and wireless technology, and are adopting them with vigor.
A report released this week by AT&T shows small firms are ratcheting up their use of smartphones, tablets, navigational devices, mobile apps, wireless solutions, and other technologies. Specifically, nearly all surveyed small businesses - 96 percent - claim they use wireless technologies in their operations, and nearly two-thirds - 63 percent - say it would be difficult to survive without them.
"More than ever, we're seeing small businesses leverage the benefits afforded by wireless technologies, whether they be smartphones, tablets, mobile apps, or 4G speeds," said Ebrahim Keshavarz, vice president of small business product management at AT&T.
Nearly half of respondents - 43 percent - reported that all of their employees use wireless devices to work remotely, either occasionally or frequently. That marked a nearly 80 percent surge from just three years ago. Slightly more than two-thirds indicated they use tablet computers, compared to 57 percent last year.
Finally, roughly half of small businesses expect to have all their workers using wireless technologies to work away from the office by the end of this year.
As the economy begins to improve, investment in wireless devices is only expected to increase. Entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in California, for example, may find it easier as consumer sentiment improves and greater sales begin to pour in.
Tags : California, LLC, LP, Financing
Posted: Feb 16th, 2012