<b>2010 Technology Guide:</b> 'App'etizing

Technology is always changing. And whether you like it or not, as a business owner, you need to stay current on the latest advances in technology (or hire someone to do it for you). Not only can it make your life easier, but your competitors are using it to their advantage, and you risk being left behind.

One advancement is the use of “apps.” No, not the dish before the main course.

An app is short for application software, which can be downloaded to your phone. Here are some apps you can download to help you run a more efficient company.

Shoeboxed
From the creators of Shoeboxed.com, Shoeboxed digitizes your receipts and lets you generate an expense report all on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

By using the camera on your phone, Shoeboxed takes a picture of your receipt and archives it for later review.

The app has a snap feature, which helps to center the information on your screen, which shows the cost, method of payment, date and category of expense in a way that’s easy to read.

After archiving your receipt, you can use the Shoeboxed app, which can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes store, to create an expense report that can be downloaded to your computer.

Shoeboxed works with programs like Quickbooks, Quicken and Microsoft Excel to help keep track of your expenses and budget.


Intuit Gopayment
Cash is king, but not everyone is able to pay you right away when you are at a client visit. But Intuit GoPayment, available at the Apple iTunes store, can help you get paid right away and get that cash flow moving sooner.

First, you can apply right from your iPhone or iPod Touch. You download the free GoPayment app and fill out a short application (you must have a GoPayment merchant account).

All transaction information and GoPayment user management is available online from the merchant service center from any computer, anytime. You can begin taking payments in as little as 15 minutes, and have receipts e-mailed or sent via text message to your customer.

SoilWeb
Don’t want to drag your laptop to a job site?  The UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory has developed a smartphone application that performs location-based queries from GPS-enabled cell phones. The SoilWeb application uses its online soil survey and allows users to identify soils and access soil survey data from the lower 48. Query results are presented as a series of soil profile sketches, depicting soil horizons, series names, landscape position and taxonomic classification.

Clicking on a soil name provides the user with information such as depth profiles of soil chemical and physical properties, land classification indices, and land-use interpretations. The application is available for free download at the Apple iTunes store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, or from the Android Marketplace for the Android.

Landscaper’s companion for iPad 
This app by Stevenson Software for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad is a reference guide to trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and 12 more categories of plants.

You can browse more than 1,400 different plants by their scientific name and common names, as well as view information such as water usage, size and sun requirements.

Most entries have a short description of the plant along with cultivation information, common uses and any problems they may have. Each plant entry includes pictures. You can download it for $9.99 from the Apple App Store.

My Scotts Lawn/LawnNotebook apps
The My Scotts Lawn app from Scotts LawnService for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad gives you a customized schedule of regular lawn feedings. Simply enter your location, choose a grass type and save the schedule.

When you apply the recommended product, add it into your product log, which records what you applied and when you applied it. Visit www.scotts.com to find the iTunes download.

The LawnNotebook app is for the Android and is similar to the My Scotts app.  You can link to the LawnNotebook Facebook page where you can chat with other lawn and garden enthusiasts.

The app also sends out tips and special offers from suppliers. Visit www.appchoice.net to download for $1.99. L&L

The author is associate editor of Lawn & Landscape. Send him an e-mail at bhorn@gie.net.