(This article originally appeared on Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 —Job website Indeed launches “more human” virtual hiring platform.
Indeed recently rolled out a virtual hiring platform geared toward helping employers who are looking to recruit employees more quickly and efficiently. With the new platform, employers will have the ability to manage the process from the time a job is posted up to the interview all within Indeed. Employers will also be able to automate items such as screening and scheduling interviews, freeing them up to concentrate on meeting and getting to know the prospective employees applying. (Source: )
Why this is important for your business:
We’ve all been struggling with labor shortages this year, and although this will never completely go away I do believe we’ll be seeing some relief this fall as kids go back to school, unemployment runs out and workers (hopefully) feel safer going back to their jobs. It’s a good time to recruit as there will be much disruption. Most of my clients looking to hire are using platforms like Indeed to help.
2 — Microsoft’s Windows 365 cloud PC service will range from $20 to $162 per user per month.
Microsoft has finally announced the pricing for its Windows 365 Cloud PC service. Price per user per month will be anywhere from $20 to $162. As Microsoft’s most up-to-date remote-desktop version, Windows 365 will complement and build upon the Azure Virtual Desktop. With Windows 365 users will be permitted to use their Windows 10 or 11 data, tools, apps, settings, and desktop with both their work and personal iPads, PCs, Macs and other devices using a web browser or Remote Desktop app. (Source: )
Why this is important for your business
Microsoft has seen an enormous swell of interest in their “cloud Windows” and for good reason. Having a full Windows desktop from any device delivered through the cloud can enable to workers to do their jobs that much easier and with less IT support from anywhere.
3 —Facebook is on a collision course with Shopify.
Facebook plans to make e-commerce a priority, looking to keep users on its website when making purchases rather than being redirected to a Shopify store or other website. With over 7 million SMBs on the social media platform —in addition to some of the most well-known brands in the world — Facebook is likely the biggest source of Shopify’s traffic. Facebook continues to improve its own commerce platform —Shops —although the goal to move its ecommerce transactions away from Shopify will likely be long-term process. (Source: )
Why this is important for your business
It’s not just Shopify. It’s Amazon too. Facebook is going after ecommerce in a big way, with plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on tools to let their users buy and sell on their platform. If your small business is active on Facebook and you’re selling products online, keep a close eye on the new features that will be offered.
4 — The Square and Afterpay deal is giving SMBs a boost.
Square announced this past week that it is buying BNPL (buy now, pay later) company Afterpay. Afterpay has over 16.2 million customers and 100,000 small businesses and merchants that use the platform. (Source: )
Why this is important for your business
Because of this deal, small businesses will get a boost in having access to the software that allows them the opportunity to provide BNPL (buy-now-pay-later) opportunities, which are quickly rising in popularity as consumers are eager to get back to spending and making purchases after the pandemic.
5—These are solid project management apps for iOS and Mac.
Business technology website Computer World recently reviewed their take on the best apps for project managers for iOS and Mac and it’s worth a read. (Source: )
Why this is important for your business
All three of the apps reviewed, MeisterTask, Merlin Project, and OmniPlan, have the capability to break a project down into several, more manageable sub-projects while automating many of the tasks. All three apps are also used by some of the largest businesses in the world. MeisterTask allows users to zoom out to see all projects at once, Merlin allows users to import and export to and from other sources such as Microsoft Project, and OmniPlan provides a user-friendly interface. The full review of all three apps can be found .
