Smartphones are more than just a way to communicate with friends, family and colleagues. With advanced technology, they have the power to improve our lives in many different ways. Whether you work in a large corporate office or even from home, a smartphone can keep you connected, safe and ahead of schedule no matter what is going on around you. Read on to learn more about these five apps that can make your day more efficient and more productive.

1. Evernote

This simple app will revolutionize the way you keep track of information. Download the app to your computer as well as to your smartphone to keep things connected. If you highlight text, want to save an important website or keep the contents of an email handy, just click the Evernote icon while the page is open. The information is saved in a special folder and can be reached from your smartphone later on. This makes it easier than ever to recall pertinent information while you are away from your computer, in a meeting or even on a phone call with a client.
 

2. iWork

For those who want to have the capability to work on spreadsheets and word processing from their phones, the iWork app is the perfect solution. Unlike apps built into standard smartphones that offer limited options for upgrading pages and adding pictures, fonts and accents to work, iWork allows you to have the same abilities as you would from your home computer. This is ideal for finishing up last minute presentations during the commute to work. When you are done, simply send it to your work or home computer by email.
 

3. Doodle

One of the hardest things when working with clients or colleagues is trying to schedule a time for a meeting or conference call that works for everyone involved. Instead of sending countless emails back and forth with each individual, Doodle makes it easier than ever to organize meetings. Simply send the Doodle app to everyone involved, and they will receive a single question such as: What Time Are You Free For Client Meeting? Everyone will click on the time slots that are most convenient, and you will receive the compiled results making it clear which time slot is most convenient for the majority of users. Doodle can then send out confirmation notices for the meeting.
 

4. Abukai Expenses

One of the most time-consuming tasks for a business owner or those with business accounts is filing expenses. Whether for tax purposes or to submit to your boss for reimbursement, it is important to keep track of every penny spent. Abukai Expenses is a simple app that you can download to take pictures of receipts, store the information and then chart each expense according to date and type. This makes tracking business expenses simpler than ever and will save you a significant amount of time.
 

5. Workflowy

If you are constantly writing lists of everything you need to do but end up scratching things out or adding in new tangents as the day goes along, Workflowy is the perfect app for you. It is a series of lists that gets created organically just like the mind naturally works. It can help you outline the day's tasks and get more done each day.
 
Each of these five apps can make your day more productive. Whether you work from home, want to step away from your computer or just want to make the most of your time on the train each morning, a smartphone can save you time and increase your efficiency.

Candace Hobson is a stay at home mother and freelance blogger. She knows what it takes to work from home and feels alot of people would be better off if they just took a little time to learn how they can become self-employed.