A new training program, “Using Tablets in Your Business,” from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at UALR will help area small business owners learn how to incorporate tablet technology into their everyday business practices at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the UALR Reynolds Business Center.

Utilizing a state-of-the-art iPad 2 lab, ASBTDC will train entrepreneurs on tablet navigation, the use of built-in and downloadable “apps,” and demonstrate practical ways to process invoices in the field, play videos, teleconference with employees and customers, and more.

Due to the hands-on nature of the training, space is limited. For the seminar’s roll out, ASBTDC will offer the program twice Feb. 9. The afternoon session is already full, but seats are still available for the 6 – 9 p.m. class.

Registration is required to attend ASBTDC seminars. For more information, call 501-683-7700 or visit the ASBTDC website.

“Most small businesses don’t have an IT (information technology) department to keep them up to speed on every new device and app, and it’s easy to be intimidated and overwhelmed by the changing technology,” ASBTDC State Director Janet Roderick said. “Through hands-on training and one-on-one consulting, we hope to alleviate the ‘fear factor’ for small businesses.”

To complement the training, ASBTDC business consultants are available to help current or prospective small business owners interested in using tablet applications in their business operations, including sales and online marketing. ASBTDC has also launched the ASBTDC Blog to provide media tablet and mobile marketing tips through videos and best practices step-by-step guides.

The tablet seminar is the first of 25 hands-on training sessions ASBTDC plans to conduct this year in Pulaski County as part of a special project funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Using Tablets in Your Business” will be offered again March 7 at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and April 5 at the Jacksonville Community Center.

The ASBTDC program is a partnership of the SBA and the UALR College of Business. The program assists startups, existing businesses, expanding businesses, and innovation-based businesses statewide.