(This article originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 -These are the best cloud hosting services in 2021, according to Tech Radar.
Editors at technology website Tech Radar recently reviewed and ranked their take on the best cloud hosting services for small businesses. According to the review, Hostinger was ranked as the best cloud web hosting provider, HostGator the best for hosting only websites, Cloudways was ranked best for ease-of-use and power, Bluehost described as an “exceptional” cloud web hosting provider, and Dreamhost was ranked for its cloud object storage and cloud server hosting. To see the full reviews, visit read more here. (Source: Tech Radar)
Why this is important for your business:
Please don’t tell me you still have a server in your office with your core databases and applications. I’m pretty sure that no matter how good your IT support team is they’re still not going to be as good — or your data as secure — than if you were to move everything to a reliable cloud hosting service. It’s what my smartest clients are doing.
2 — Work management platform Trello introduces no-code automation features.
List-making app Trello recently announced that its Premium users will now have unlimited access to the platform’s automation commands and features. Some of the automation features include the ability to prefill the most frequently used automation commands such as sorting lists by date, etc. Shareable automation commands-one of the new features-also lets users share automation commands to additional boards. Additionally, Snapshot reports will allow users to schedule and send email reports automatically. (Source: Venture Beat)
Why this is important for your business:
Trello is an excellent productivity tool for teams that want to share tasks and project management responsibilities. The application is joining other popular apps by adding “no code” features for workflow and automation. If you’re a Trello user you should ask for a demo.
3 -Most employee monitoring tools are needlessly invasive, study finds.
A recent study by StandoutCV-a resume-help site- revealed new findings focused on the most well-known employee monitoring tools. The study found that 75% of the tools studied have the capability of recording employee monitors and screens as well as track which websites and apps they’re using. 59% of the tools have the capability to track mouse and keyboard movements. The study also revealed that almost 50% of the tools can be deployed on company-owned devices without workers knowing. (Source: Fast Company)
Why this is important for your business:
Why are you wasting your time “monitoring” your employees anyway? They can’t be trusted? They’re your employees! You hired them! I’m not a fan of these tools unless you really think you’ve got a problem, and if you do it’s probably just with one or two people and if that’s the case you already know who they are.
4 — Pry Financials raises $4.2 million to make startup accounting more approachable.
Pry Financials recently announced that it raised $4.2 million. Pry- which launched in March of this year- has over 200 customers and shared that it has seen a 35% month-over-month growth. With the additional funding, Pry has plans to develop more sophisticated predictive features and have industry standards integrated into its templates. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Why this is important for your business:
Another entry into the crowded cloud-based accounting apps and we’re just getting started. Pry is geared toward making finances for startups less intimidating not only for those in charge of accounting, but for entire teams.
5-GoDaddy launched a website design service for small businesses.
GoDaddy recently announced that it has launched a new service to help small businesses design websites. With the rollout of Website Design Service (WDS), the company is broadening its offerings to include more digital services geared toward small businesses, their budgets, and level of expertise. Within a few weeks, GoDaddy’s new service will provide professionally designed, modern WordPress websites for small businesses. (Source: Daily News Egypt)
Why this is important for your business:
If your website is straightforward then this is a no-brainer. The company is offering many templates and easy to use tools for getting your site designed fast and up and running. Of course if you have more complex needs you’re still going to need to shell out for an experienced developer.
