5 minutes on ... Tech we can't live without

This week we asked: What piece of software or technology can you not live without? How has it changed the way you work?

Matt Read, Social Media Manager, Quad Digital

This is a lot tougher to answer than I thought it’d be. To be honest, I don’t really rely on any outstanding piece of software or other kit. I like to keep things simple, which is probably why I’m so incredibly unorganised. What I really rely on it making sure I’m up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry. Reading blogs, joining discussions, and above all else, networking. To me, that’s everything. Having a solid group of industry friends really makes a difference.

Luke Thomson, Co-Founder of ReChannel

Email. Seems obvious, but having one piece of software that allows you so effortlessly to keep in touch with colleagues, clients and friends - in the same way, from the same place, at the same time - is invaluable.

Chris Hassell, Founder, Ralph & Co

Keynote. Makes everything look great and not PowerPoint! Drag anything into it and it’ll usually appear on the slide. The iCloud collaboration they’ve just added is brilliant for pulling pitches together.

James Sitki, Creative Director, Twentieth Century Boy

As broad as it sounds, but the Internet as a whole. We specialise in Viral & Online video, without the World Wide Web, we are well & truly buggered -Youtube being a key element within that.

Ankita Bhargava, Online Marketing Manager, Crab Creative

All of the Google products. My day starts and ends with Google analytics and Adwords. I’d really like to add my Google Nexus Phone to this list .. it’s amazing how Google has advanced in the last couple of years and I can’t wait to see what’s next. It’s made planning and strategizsng so much simpler. It’s helped elevate the importance of digital media and made it easier for our clients to realise the importance of investment in digital, calculate the return on investment and impact on sales easily.

Luke Faragher, Managing Director, Drawn in Digital

My iPhone, I wouldn't be able to function without it. Organising my meetings, etc... Apple in general make my life a whole lot easier to be honest.

Mark McDermott, Creative Director, CodeAgent

Wow, so many. To be honest you can achieve a lot with just the basics. I suppose photoshop as most of the tech can be built with native apps on your computer.