Mobile technology is huge…it may be, in fact, the biggest thing going on in technology today. From depositing a check to your bank, using only a mobile phone, to essentials like invoicing, chatting, and client building on the go, the uses of mobile technology is nearly endless. With so much going on in this category, entrepreneurs need to understand the importance of mobile apps.

In talking about mobile app technology, there are two basic ways that entrepreneurs and small business owners need to utilize this hot tool. The first is as a consumer, using apps to make your life and business a little easier and more mobile. The second, is as a developer or provider, giving your customers, clients, and contacts the convenience that they so require in today’s society. So, what apps do you need yourself and what apps should you be providing?

While the mobile apps that you may use yourself, or in your business will vary greatly by industry, there are a few that top the list and can be used by nearly any entrepreneur. Here is a quick breakdown of popular apps that you may want to check out.

#1. Dropbox:
This handy little app gives you access to all of your files, presentations, and media through your mobile phone. The cloud storage allows for backing up of files, a quick way to sync files between your phone, laptop, work computer, etc., as well as the ability to share one or more files with recipients without having to upload or download items via email.

#2. Evernote:
Entrepreneurs love this app because it allows for quick and easy note taking and web clipping on your mobile device. From jotting down new business ideas to saving something creative that you have seen online, everything stores in the cloud for instant access later on. The app also allows for tagging, sorting data into categories or “notebooks”, and easy sharing with others.

#3. Card Munch:
This handy little app was developed by the LinkedIn folks and is one of the best that I have found for networking and contact management. Simply take a picture of any business card, and the app will gather the information from the card, convert it into a contact entry for your phone, and save it accordingly.

#4. Genius Scan:
Have you ever been on the go and wished that there was a way to scan documents, save as a pdf, and email them to a recipient without having to locate a scanner? Well, this app will do just that. Using the camera on your mobile phone, you can take a picture of one or more documents, convert the photo image to pdf, and send or save.

#5. Signeasy:
Paperwork as a business owner is one thing that there is always an abundance of. Often, though, you don’t have access to a printer, fax, or scanner but need to get your John Hancock on to one or more time sensitive documents. That is where Signeasy comes in. The app can take a digital signature or photo of your signature and let you place it onto any document. You then save the signature and send it back to whoever requires it. What could be more handy?

Ok, so now that you have an idea of how apps can make your life easier as an entrepreneur, lets talk about what apps you should be providing your customers. Generally speaking, apps are necessary for three reasons in the business world. Take a look at these and ask yourself if your clients could benefit in any of these ways by the development and offering of a mobile app.

#1. Convenience:
Mobile apps that save the customer time and hassles are absolutely necessary in business today. With so much focus on being efficient, having compact convenience at your fingertips is really something that adds value. Examples of apps that fall into this category include check depositing apps for banks, scheduling apps for service shops, and airline apps that allow you to check in, bring up your boarding pass, or change flight plans from your phone.

#2. Saves Money:
The second category of apps that add value to consumers are those that save them money. Whether you are talking about getting the best price on a product, clipping a coupon, or easily cashing in on rewards programs, these apps are sure to please. Examples that are popular include Coupon Sherpa and Red Laser.

#3. Connect People:
The obvious examples in this category are those associated with social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. But, most any app that connects people together within an industry or common interest seems to be useful. Publishers and authors use this type of app to create virtual book clubs, fitness centers develop apps in this category for weight loss challenges and workout buddies to use, and medical professionals often utilize apps of this kind to give patients access to nurses or other staff members to answer questions via chat.

So whether you are on the giving or the receiving end of mobile app technology, this is an area where all entrepreneurs should be closely watching. With people constantly looking for ways to do things more efficiently, most cost effective, and while on the go, mobile app technology is surely here to stay for awhile.

[Images via iTunes app store]