With technology moving fast and the cost of entry coming down every day, if you’re not onboard with the latest trends your business is not running efficiently as it could – that’s the advice from Xero (http://www.xero.com) online software co-founder and UK MD Hamish Edwards.  Here are some of his views:

VoIP - Telecommunications costs used to be significant for small business. Now that’s a thing of the past, thanks to the prevalence of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). Providers like Skype have made it possible to talk, teleconference, and even videolink with people around the world for nothing! If you’re not using VoIP everyday, you’re missing out.

Online services - With an increasingly mobile workforce and a proliferation of remote workers, the software industry is changing rapidly. Online software, like Google docs and Xero online accounting software for small business, enable people in different locations to collaborate on documents and share information, all accessing the latest version in real time. As well as making life easier, many of these services are very affordable or even free.  In comparison to old-style software that you install on your desktop, you don’t need to worry about updates as that happens automatically. And because the services are run by big companies your data is securely stored and automatically backed up – arguably it is safer than it would be on your premises.

Mobility - The days when being “mobile” meant lugging along your laptop are gone. Today there are a plethora of small devices that enable you to really stay connected at all times. Blackberries and iPhones have the capability to offer easy to use email, view documents and access the internet. Online software providers are all getting on board with versions of their software suitable for mobile devices. For example we’ve optimised Xero for the iPhone , so you can even access your accounts information, anywhere, anytime. That’s a real advantage.  Xero provides small businesses and their advisers with one, up to date, easy to use, instantly accessible set of accounts and business information.