Whether out in the field helping clients or in an office building software and hardware at the enterprise level, IT professionals can use tools to keep their work organized, efficient, and effective. Discover six tools every IT professional should keep handy.
Evernote
Evernote is a software application designed to keep track of lists, tasks, notes, and artifacts such as webpages, voice memos, and photographs. This powerful software — also available as an Android app — allows you to store (almost) everything about your work in one central location. Evernote has built-in and add-on integrations with other popular software and cloud suites, and it stores everything online so that you can access it from your phone, tablet, or computer.
While many people love the power of Evernote, some are overwhelmed by it. Give it a try for one specific task, such as keeping track of relevant tutorials for your job, and see how it can work for you.
Airtable
The cloud-based software Airtable takes everything great about spreadsheets and dials it up a notch. A combination of a spreadsheet and a functional database, Airtable is ideal for the IT professional who is looking for a user-friendly, flexible way to store and collect data.
The cells in Airtable categorize data such as a database, but they do it in such a way that's accessible to all types of users. The tables have powerful sort and filter capabilities, as well as the ability to overlay formulas, grouping, and formatting. In addition to the database view, an auto-generated form view collects data from users in a simple-to-use interface.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
To get the most out of every minute of your day, pick a smartphone that can increase your productivity. The 6.3-inch, 2960-by-1440 resolution screen of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 means that you won't need to pause and squint to find the icon you need to open your next work task. Samsung's multi-window mode allows you to open multiple apps simultaneously and see them together on a single screen.
The S Pen stylus brings the Galaxy Note 8 up another level with accurate note taking, detailed photo editing, and switching between applications with the feature Glance. Take full advantage of the features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 with the help of a trusted carrier such as T-Mobile. Thanks to T-Mobile's largest nationwide 4G LTE network, you can stay in touch with your home office no matter where your work takes you.
Pushbullet
The Pushbullet app, available on Android, connects all your devices so that you don't miss a notification, message, or phone call. This handy app can be set to push information across all your devices.
Do you have an incoming phone call on your smartphone? The alert will pop up on your computer. Receive a chat on your computer? The notification will push to your tablet. Never miss a message from your boss, or that important client, again. Pushbullet also allows for the quick transfer of files and links between devices.
Speedtest
Speedtest by Ookla is the standard for measuring internet speed and network connections on any device. Available as a smartphone app or online, Speedtest will measure upload and download speeds of an internet connection in real time, helping to diagnose sluggish performance that may affect your clients. Slow internet can be the cause of any number of technical issues, including poor web conferencing and data entry issues. While Speedtest is free to use, Ookla also offers enterprise solutions for more advanced internet metrics.
External Hard Drive
Any computer that stores files will benefit from regular backups to an external hard drive. Documents, photographs, videos, notes, meeting minutes, and spreadsheets are all at risk on a computer that is not backed up. External hard drives are inexpensive, small, and can hold anywhere from 250GB to 8TB of data. If you travel frequently, be sure to buy a rugged, solid state hard drive that can withstand the rigors of being bumped around in your computer bag.
IT professionals are looked at as experts in innovative technology and productivity. Whether you want to boost your own efficacy or share knowledge with your clients or colleagues, the above six tools can help you reach your goals.
Simon
