Apple makes accessible, sleek, and easy-to-use computers. If you own a business, choosing to operate off of MacOS seems like a great choice. Unfortunately, businesses typically use Windows for operations due to common program compatibility issues. Around 88% of the market share for business operating systems belongs to Windows, making it the king when it comes to operations.

Many financial, accounting, and operations-based applications simply don’t work with MacOS. That doesn’t mean that running your business off of Mac devices is impossible; you just have to find some workarounds or different avenues for common business practices. If you are looking to use Apple products for your business, try using these four software guides to make the transition easier.

Try these tips when using MacOS for business

1. Accounting Software

The main issue with MacOS as a business tool is the lack of complex accounting tools compatible with the system. Luckily, you can still find some good programs to manage your books effectively on Apple products. The top three used by smaller MacOS businesses are Zoho Books, Quickbooks Online, and Xero. The difference between these three products comes down to your needs as a business.

If you are a smaller business, using Quickbooks Online is a great choice because of its cloud-based computing and ease of access. Zoho Books is great for a medium-sized business, especially because of their stellar customer service and financial features. Xero is a strong contender even among the big boys like Sage50 and Freshbooks. If you are looking for scalability and expect growth within your company, Xero is perfect for you.

2. File Transfer

If your business operations include large transfers of information over the Internet, you likely need to use a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to keep your transfers fast, efficient, and safe. However, finding one that is compatible with MacOS is more difficult than for Windows, especially for business file transfers. If you simply use the in-house FTP transfer that comes with your OS, you are putting the information being transferred at risk.

When in the middle of a file transfer, your Mac is especially exposed to malware due to injected files that are then unknowingly opened by the end-user. Using a third-party software is your best bet for large file transfers, as they can offer data transfers over SSL, or encrypted, network, which ensures limited access to the information. FTP Mac programs are the best way to keep data safe.

FTP programs are your best bet at keeping your data safe

3. Anti-Virus Software

Apple products are famous for their strong defense against malware and viruses, but if you are performing business operations through any computer, you need to safeguard against cyber-attacks. You will handle tons of sensitive financial and personal information on a day-to-day basis, so ensuring that you have a second line of defense for your business is essential.

There are plenty of antivirus software compatible with MacOS, but finding one suitable for a small business can be tricky. Whenever you’re looking for a software to protect your business information, make sure it includes the following:

  1. Firewall
    1. Firewalls are important for limited outside access to your business network and information. You should set your firewall up more restrictively than you would for a home-use computer.
  2. Encryption
    1. Encryption is especially important for sensitive information like credit card numbers, SSN numbers, or any other potential threats to identity.
  3. Anti-Malware
    1. A good antivirus should monitor file downloads, site visits, and computer access. If your computer is breached, all the information located there is at risk.
Find a good antivirus software
Find a good antivirus software

. Management Software

Finally, if you are in need of management software to keep your business operations running smoothly, MacOS has some great options available to you. Netsuite Openair, Smartsheet, and Workzone are great, MacOS compatible options for small to large businesses. These programs usually have a couple of similar features that will be helpful to your operations:

a. Project Management

i. Project management is extremely important for any business. If you are performing any number of projects, you need to know when each phase will be executed, how that will affect other projects, and many resources the project will consume. Management software should have Gantt diagrams and resource consumption planners to make life easier.

b. Analytics

i. When you receive operation feedback, you should be able to analyze that data for future use. A great management software will allow you to take previous periods and see where you should be heading next in terms of sales numbers and efficiency.

Using MacOS for business has become easier today than it was in the past. You can find plenty of scalable options for your business that run on Apple products, it just takes a little bit of know-how and the right tools.

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