12 Brawny Business Intelligence Products For SMBs

Intuit on Monday launched QuickBooks Mobile for Android smartphones. This new mobile software allows small and midsize businesses to more effectively control and manage their invoicing processes.

With QuickBooks installed on their Android smartphone, business owners can perform a wide range of actions right from their device without the need to find a PC. QuickBooks Mobile for Android can be used to create estimates, manage invoices, and view customer details. Further, the application syncs in the background with QuickBooks, which gives mobile professionals the most up-to-date information no matter where they happen to be.

Intuit says that QuickBooks Mobile was designed with SMBs in mind, as they often need as much flexibility as possible when it comes to performing work functions out of the office. With QuickBooks Mobile for Android, SMBs can stay connected to their business with quick access to customer and sales information, save time by checking customer balances and creating estimates on-the-go, and be more productive by invoicing at the job site without having to go back to the office.

"The majority of small and medium-sized business owners feel that staying connected through wireless devices is critical to the success of their business," said Dan Wernikoff, vice president and general manager, in a statement. "As the demand for mobile access continues to accelerate, we're working to give customers the solutions they need most so they can save time and make money wherever their business takes them."

QuickBooks Mobile for Android is available for free to current QuickBooks Online subscribers. It also is available via subscription to QuickBooks Pro and Premier 2011 customers. QuickBooks Mobile is already available to Apple's iPhone.

QuickBooks isn't the first piece of software that Intuit has offered to the Android platform. In June, Intuit Financial Services introduced a mobile banking application that makes it easier for Android smartphone users to manage finances from their mobile devices. The application, which is targeted at consumers, lets users view account balances and transaction history, transfer funds, pay bills, and locate nearby ATMs and bank branches.

Intuit's GoPayment, available to both the iPhone and Android platforms, allows SMBs to accept credit card payments anywhere, anytime. With it, Intuit offers a free card reader. Intuit charges a small fee per swipe, but there are no set-up or monthly fees, and no contracts.

One last SMB tool available for smartphones from Intuit is Online PayRoll. This application allows employers to pay employees with direct deposit or check, preview paychecks before approving, and view employee information and last payroll run report from their iPhone. Intuit hasn't said if Online PayRoll will be made available to the Android platform.

With Monday's release of QuickBooks Mobile, Intuit now has a whole suite of applications available to the SMB on Google's Android platform.

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