Sometimes, life in the office can get stressful. Architectural firms can always use small boosts from apps that make life easier. Anything that can speed up processes or simplify tasks can greatly improve your workflow for the day. If you’re an architect and you’re looking for helpful ways to improve your day-to-day business life, these four apps will be a great addition to your library.
1. Electric Slide
Electric Slide is the simplest way to present anything! This app connects to the cloud, so you don't need to bring your computer along. Once you upload your files, you’ll be given a URL. Use this URL to access the files, and you’ll be able to progress each slide with your iPad or iPhone and no longer be restricted to the computer. This works for anyone given the URL to access your presentation, so if they miss the meeting or simply wish to follow along on their own computers, now they can!
This tool works great for webinars and client presentations, because it’s easy to follow along and won’t force the presenter to pause to change the slide. Clients can sit with their computers and follow along with the presenter with ease. Consider using this fine app the next time you have an architectural project to present!
2. If This Then That (IFTTT)
This app is a way of automating certain tasks by utilizing triggers and actions. With 100+ accessible channels, it can simplify a major portion of your online activities. You create “recipes” that dictate what trigger leads to what action. This could be anywhere from automatically adding a starred email to your Reminders app, to posting a status update on social media sites that you created a new blog on your website.
This handy app can be used to greatly benefit your marketing, as it can save a bunch of time when performing a bunch of small tasks online. It can also help utilize mailing lists when you set a recipe that calls for that action. Consider this app if you want to strengthen your online presence with less effort.
3. GroupMe
GroupMe is possibly one of the greatest communication apps out there. This app allows anyone to make a group and invite anyone they want to it. Just give it a name and invite people by their contact in your phone, or by their phone number. It works from apple to android device so there isn't any hassle with the large group messages. The other users don’t even need the app for it to work!
It is a quick and easy way to send a mass-message to colleagues to fill them in on anything deemed worthy. GroupMe can simplify any office communication task, whether you need to remind employees of a deadline or notify clients of a last-minute rescheduling of a meeting. Try this app if you need quicker means of contact with your co-workers or clients than mailing lists.
4. Sphere
Sphere is an app that allows you to take full 360-degree photos from your phone. You could take a photo of your office space or the interiors of your finished architectural projects. Instead of taking boring old pictures and swiping between those, you can use the phone to “look around” the room again. By moving the phone and tilting it, you can look at as if you were right there! You can also share it through Facebook and the built in social network in the app with someone who couldn't be right there with you. Use this app when you want to show off a room or even to share a picture of your office and staff with all of your followers.
These apps are a great way of simplifying your daily office life, especially if you feel you need a break from the monotony of tedious office tasks. Any architecture marketing firm will benefit from at least one of these apps, so check them out and let us know how they work for you!
Photo credit goes to Flickr user Cristiano Betta