10 Products Changing the Business World

You say you want a revolution? These products and services are changing the way we work.

Oct 20, 2010
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Business tech is advancing rapidly, and a select group of products is leading the charge. So what’s new? Cloud-based office suites and file sharing, touchscreen tablets, and videoconferencing are at the forefront of today’s workplace transformation. If you’re looking for a quick productivity boost, consider the offerings described below.

Google Apps
Watch out, Microsoft Office. , the search giant’s cloud-based productivity suite, is working its way into the business world. In addition, tools such as enable small businesses to look bigger by giving them a single phone number that reaches multiple phones. New, affordable versions of the apps for , as well as improved protection against phishing and malware threats, make Google Apps a worthy challenger to Microsoft’s venerable suite.

Dropbox
This popular share-and-sync online service is ridiculously easy to use. Simply place your files in a folder on one computer, and they’re uploaded to a secure server. You can access your files from other Dropbox-equipped computers and mobile devices, too. The first 2GB of storage is free, and you can buy more.

Apple iPad
has turned out to be more than just a big iPod Touch. The iPad is as more enterprises recognize its potential. Thousands of apps and an ergonomic touch interface make the iPad a winner. Even better, a smaller, camera-equipped model may arrive soon.

Drobo
series of easy-to-manage network storage devices are ideal for small and home offices, and they’re a hit with Mac users. A Drobo box is brain-dead simple to set up, and sharing files across a network is just as straightforward. Drobo’s SOHO sensibilities make it unique in offering storage for nontechies.

Windows 7
Windows Vista couldn’t persuade businesses to upgrade from Windows XP, but is having far greater success. True, Microsoft is forcing the issue by winding down its XP support, but Windows 7 does offer security advantages for enterprises. The folks in Redmond got it right this time. Hurrah!

Samsung Galaxy Tab
Samsung’s sleek slate has blockbuster potential in the business world. , with its 7-inch touchscreen, fills a void between smartphones and iPad-size tablets. Its starter OS, Android 2.2, really isn’t tablet-friendly, though; to shine brightly, the Galaxy Tab will need the upcoming Android 3.0.

Apple iPhone 4
The latest may not be perfect, but its clever innovations earned it a spot on our list of the top 10 phones nonetheless. Its front-facing camera and FaceTime video-chat app, for instance, could revolutionize corporate meetings, particularly if FaceTime beats the odds and . Business travel, we will miss you.

HP Photosmart eStation
The detachable 7-inch Android tablet that comes with HP’s newest printer is grabbing headlines, but the real story is the printer itself: The has business-friendly benefits such as wireless connectivity and two-sided printing. The tablet lets you control the eStation remotely and print Web pages without a PC.

Microsoft Office 2010
Microsoft’s desktop office suite , although its Web-based counterpart is junk. offers numerous productivity perks, including a customizable “Ribbon” interface, better built-in graphics tools, and improved malware protection. And PowerPoint’s new Broadcast feature is great for displaying slideshows on remote clients’ computers.

iGo Portable Projector
iGo’s pocket-size projector is designed for Cisco’s , but it will connect to laptops and smartphones, too. The $350 projects videos at screen sizes up to 70 inches diagonally. It comes with an HDMI cable (mini-to-mini), and holds a MicroSD memory card (up to 32GB). The iGo ships in October.

Business tech is advancing rapidly, and a select group of products is leading the charge. So what’s new? Cloud-based office suites and file sharing, touchscreen tablets, and videoconferencing are at the forefront of today’s workplace transformation. If you’re looking for a quick productivity boost, consider the offerings described below.

Google Apps
Watch out, Microsoft Office. , the search giant’s cloud-based productivity suite, is working its way into the business world. In addition, tools such as enable small businesses to look bigger by giving them a single phone number that reaches multiple phones. New, affordable versions of the apps for , as well as improved protection against phishing and malware threats, make Google Apps a worthy challenger to Microsoft’s venerable suite.

Dropbox
This popular share-and-sync online service is ridiculously easy to use. Simply place your files in a folder on one computer, and they’re uploaded to a secure server. You can access your files from other Dropbox-equipped computers and mobile devices, too. The first 2GB of storage is free, and you can buy more.

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