Ask anyone running their own business what aspect of the job causes them the most frustration. Often you’ll hear the same answer over and over again ... lack of time to get everything done.

Between the day-to-day operations, managing staff, keeping up with all the paperwork, accounts and administration, and trying to find time to do some strategic business planning, you’ve got to wonder how it all gets done some days.

The solution for many businesses lies in automating what can be done more quickly and more efficiently with technology – and there are ways to embrace it without needing to be a computer geek. Take a bit of time upfront to learn what technology and outsourced resources can do for you and you’ll actually find yourself some time. To use a cliché, you’ll end up with more time to spend on the business rather than in the business.

Cloud computing
It’s not a new term, but it is generating more talk among non-IT people because of the growing amount of business that is now being done after hours or away from the office, by way of smartphones and other mobile devices. With the growth of Google Apps, Box.net, and even social networking sites like Facebook where users are actually storing files in a cloud (the internet), browser-based business is becoming the norm. New Zealand developers have blazed a trail with the online accounting system Xero, payroll system FlexiTime and now the newly released Tymwise for online booking and business management. Our comfort level with the fact that we don’t have to have documents, photos and other files stored on our own hard drives or servers is growing. Ask the average layperson to explain exactly where their files are being saved and they might say on Facebook’s server, or they may have no clue. But more and more of us accept it without needing to understand or be able to explain it.

For a growing SME that wants to do away with hubs, servers, software updates, and the costs associated, online applications are perfect. For the hectic business owner who already works six days a week in the business with little free time for growth planning and strategic work on the business, they provide a huge potential to improve the way things are done. They are becoming very easy to use, as well as removing the risk of data loss due to computer meltdown, theft or backup failure.

Why bother with an online scheduling software when you’ve got an email calendar up and running? The biggest difference lies in the ability to remotely manage the use of your resources (equipment, rooms, staff) by analysing their use and profitability, and allowing you to proactively market the areas of the business that need a bit of a push. You can set up targeted email or text marketing to clients, as well as track service, equipment, and product sales. Many applications will also enable you to set up several (often unlimited) administrator users, and allow secure client access at your discretion.

More than just scheduling appointments
Online applications are ideal for any type of business that schedules appointments and facilities – hair and beauty salons, massage and physio clinics, fitness clubs and sports facilities. They’re also an effective tool for franchisors (or any other multi-site businesses) to use to manage communication and information sharing among franchise locations.

It’s about so much more than tracking appointments. Online scheduling software helps businesses earn revenue from effective use of their resources – time, staff, equipment, facilities. They help create efficiencies around four areas: staff performance, service analysis, product sales and resource allocation.

Up-to-date technology in your business, then, is about more than just being wise with your time. It’s about helping the busy business owner and manager plan for growth and increase revenues in an easy way without complicated systems and lengthy planning sessions.