E-mail 
Print | PHOTOS | ||||||||
|
||||||||
FORT WAYNE — Cell phone applications aren't just for playing games or surfing the Internet.
Apps can save time and frustration at the office, too.
Whether you need to dictate a memo, share a brainstorming session's results or ring up a sale, as the Apple ad says: There's an app for that.
Business-oriented apps aren't found only on the iPhone. A wide selection is available for BlackBerry handsets, the G1 featuring Google software and other cell phones.
More businesses want to hire designers to create an app representing their brand, said Gregg Weiss, founder of iPhoneAppQuotes.com, a site that connects companies to U.S.-based app designers. About 70 percent of the requests the site received in the second quarter were for business apps, up from 50 percent in the first quarter.
Some local companies are getting into the game. Spangler Candy Co., based in Bryan, Ohio, launched a free iPhone app in June. The Flick-A-Pop game challenges users to consume as many of Spangler's signature Dum Dum Pops as they can in the allotted time.
Other apps focus on increasing workplace productivity. Business apps offer convenience to employees already carrying a phone during the work day, Weiss said. With apps, workers can use a cell phone for much more than staying in touch with the office.
"It's really just another extension and another way to reach consumers," he said.
What does it do: Workers can record, edit and send dictation and verbal memos using this voice productivity software.
Price: $9.95 a month and up
Available on: BlackBerry handsets using operating system 4.2 and above
Developer: BigHand Inc., based in Chicago
What does it do: Employees can use this app to create, edit and view presentations.
Price: Beta 4 version is free
Available on: iPhone. Future versions will be available on the Palm Pre and Google's Android operating system.
Developer: Belgian student Bert Timmermans
What does it do: This message board gives workers a place to get small-business tips or ask for advice.
Price: Free
Available on: iPhone or Web site answers.nobosh.com
Developer: Nobosh.com, based in Mountain View, Calif.
What does it do: Workers can use this app to share the results of a brainstorming session.
Price: Free
Available on: Phones with an Android operating system developed by Google, including the G-1 available through T-Mobile.
Developer: sphericbox
What does it do: LightSpeed iStats tracks point of sale data and inventory figures for retailers.
Price: Free with LightSpeed software purchase; a single-user license costs $749
Available on: iPhone
Developer: Xsilva Systems Inc., based in Montreal
What does it do: Mobile workers can use this application to clock in or out for the day. Employers can check each worker's status online.
Price: $10.49 a month
Available on: Many Verizon Wireless phones
Developer: Wolf Mobile Inc.
What does it do: Business owners can process credit card payments on a cell phone. Users must have an account with e-commerce web site PayPal.
Price: $8.99 a month
Available on: Many Verizon Wireless phones
Developer: Transaction Wireless
What does it do: Workers can set goals and then track their progress toward meeting them.
Price: For $20 a year, users can set unlimited goals and use all the journal's functions.
Available on: iPhone or Web site LifeTick.com
Developer: Meridian 86, based in Brisbane, Australia
What does it do: Helps workers track client billing information. Employees can use it to record the amount of time spent on a project and the client's billing rate.
Price: 99 cents
Available on: iPhone
Developer: Tom Zahratka, who is based in Minneapolis
What does it do: Workers collaborating on a project can create a list of tasks, assign tasks to team members and track when items are finished.
Price: Private projects start at $7 a month for one project.
Available on: iPhone or NoKahuna.com
Developer: No Kahuna
What does it do: This app saves a copy of the phone's address book to a secure Web site.
Price: $1.99 a month; fee is waived for customers who register their Verizon Wireless accounts online
Available on: Most Verizon Wireless phones
Developer: fusionOne Inc.
What does it do: Workers can check customer relationship information.
Price: Free for Salesforce Unlimited Edition customers. $50 per user for others.
Available on: BlackBerry, Palm Treo and iPhone
Developer: SalesForce.com
