Tech: Cool apps to help your start-up business

AccountingWhy hire a full time accountant when you can do it all yourselfgtgt GNU Cash A free software that offers unlimited accounts and users with double entry Though you can share your books with anyone therersquos no auto sync option as accounts have to be exported and imported manually Available for GNULinux Mac OS and Windows desktops as well as Android devices Log on to GnucashorgMessengerTalk discuss and share project details without emailgtgtFlock A proprietary but free software Flock available as an app as well as a Web client allows teams to discuss projects share files chat individually as well as in groups create separate chat rooms for different projects as well as invite clients to be a part of the conversation Most importantly your messages are synced across devices Log on to FlockcoMobile operatorA virtual call management system for those on the gogtgtMy Operator Afraid of missing out on business calls while you are away try My Operator The app enables you to track missed calls add to the customer database of businesses and manage them anytime anywhere on your smart phone The best part is the database can be synced with various CRM solutions such as Pipedrives Zoho Salesforce etc Available only on Android Log on to MyoperatorcoFree business emailWho said that only personal email is freeIf you own a small company or a startup with ten or less members in the team you may want to signup for Zoho Mail The company offers 10 business email IDs with 5GB data storage each to companies as long they own a website url Their email service comes with features such as group chat online office apps desktop file syncing etc Available as an Android and iOS app as well as a Web service Log on toZohocommailgtgt Expensify This app can do everything that you can expect from your accountant along with autosyncing data to the cloud You can also upload photos of receipts and generate invoices Usage is restricted to only three in the free version Available only for Android and iOS devices Log on towwwexpensifycomOperating system and desktop applicationsWhy pay for proprietary software when there are free alternativesIf your business doesnrsquot require running highend applications available only on Windows and Mac OS you may want to try some of the Linuxbased free operating systems such as Ubuntu or OpenSusse Both the OSes have proven their might as desktop OSes as well as to run dedicated servers They are also reliable and offer a secure environment In fact the Ubuntu OS is available with a fiveyearlong term support from its maker Canonical But thatrsquos not all using Linuxbased OS such as these offers you access to several other free open source FOSS and popular applications such as Gimp an alternative to Photoshop Inkscape alternative to Corel Draw and Scribus alternative to desktop apps such as Indesign and Quark Xpress as well as the popular Libre Office alternative to the expensive MSOffice thus saving further on costs However if you donrsquot like Linux you can still try the said FOSS apps and save a few bucks For more apps check out the Free Software Foundation directory DirectoryfsforgLog on to Fsforg Gnuorg Ubuntucom Opensusseorg Scribusnet Inkscapeorg Gimporg