Microsoft Updates Small-Business Windows Bundle
Upgrading Biz Processes Can Uncover a Gold Mine
Going Mobile
Setting Up Payday
Can the Internet Be Your HR Department?
What's New in Small Business Storage?
Small Packages
The Art and Science of the Virtual Office
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Survive and Thrive
Got a Minute?
 

Microsoft Updates Small-Business Windows Bundle
Small Business Pipeline (07/11/06); Ricadela, Aaron

Microsoft has unveiled its update to Windows Small Business Server 2003. The $599 basic edition packages Windows Server and Exchange Server 2003, while the $1,299 premium edition bundles these plus SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition. Users must pay an additional $99 client access license fee per connected computer or user. The update comes with "green check," a tool designed to automatically patch connected PCs and inform administrators when PCs have not received the most recent security updates. Additionally, PCs connected to Small Business Server R2 do not have to pay extra client access license fees to access servers running Exchange or SQL Server.
(http://www.smallbizpipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID= 190302178)

Upgrading Biz Processes Can Uncover a Gold Mine
Charlotte Business Journal (07/10/06); Adler, Alan

Experts note that in order for any business to be successful, they have to first master people, technology, and processes, and becoming a process-driven firm could be the most effective way to get started. However, in order to create the most efficient processes, companies will need to leverage technology to determine how documents should be captured for new orders. Moreover, different departments will need processes through which they communicate and interact with one another effectively, which can also require technology. When processes breakdown, businesses lose their momentum and see declines in productivity. Due diligence related to businesses process should examine what the goals of the process are and how the company can achieve those goals. Once those questions are answered, companies will then have to determine how the process will contribute to the bottom line of the company.
(http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2006/07/1 0/smallb7.html)

Going Mobile
Processor (07/07/06)Vol. 28, No. 27, P. 30; Schweitzer, Douglas

With more companies offering telecommuting as a benefit to employees, there is a shift from traditional desktop computers to laptops, tablets, handhelds, and other devices that enhance mobility. In order to provide secure access to company data and applications, businesses should install virtual private networks (VPNs). In addition to mobile technology, companies need to offer telecommuting employees training in regards to wireless security, firewalls, and other measures to protect data outside the office. Guardian Digital CEO Dave Wreski recommends a formal data security policy that covers mobile equipment theft, online access, and security best practices.
(http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=artic les/P2827/33p27/33p27.asp&guid=1295D5854B8446B5931E5022086C7CB5)

Setting Up Payday
Denver Post (07/12/06) P. C1; Shanley, Will

Denver startup IP Commerce is set to announce the launch of software aimed at easing payment processing for small businesses, an underserved niche market, according to company founder Alfred Kahn. The software will be released on a limited basis in conjunction with partner Microsoft and will allow users to receive payments, process transactions, and pay invoices over the Web using Microsoft Outlook, QuickBooks, and other useful tools. "It will save small businesses a lot of money," said Kevin Gallagher, senior vice president for Chase Paymentech Solutions, a joint venture of First Data and JPMorgan Chase. The savings will come largely from the elimination of the need for stand-alone credit-card terminals to process payments.
(http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4038054)

Can the Internet Be Your HR Department?
SmartBiz.com (07/05/06); Rosenthal, Steve

Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can now take advantage of the Internet as a platform for their human resources departments with the help of low-cost vendors, who will offer flexible and inexpensive options to an in-house platform. SMBs can offer big business services through Internet-based platforms to workers, and at the same time, enjoy the efficiencies of a centralized system. The hosted HR systems provide SMBs with payroll, accounting, security, benefits administration, and other tools to allow companies to integrate their applications, while placing the onus of server and application maintenance on the vendor. When choosing a specific HR platform vendor, companies will want to ensure that the offerings support XML, which makes it easier for disparate systems to read and communicate between one another.
(http://www.SmartBiz.com/article/articleprint/1400/-1/8)

What's New in Small Business Storage?
Small Business Computing (07/05/06); Robb, Drew

There were numerous storage tools designed for small businesses on display at the Storage World Conference in Long Beach, Calif., in June. EMC Corp. showcased its eRoom SMB Edition collaboration software, which allows companies, partners, and suppliers in various locations to share information and manage products as if they were in the same room. Another product on display was EVault Insight from EVault Inc., an online e-discovery review service that manages and stores electronic documents for litigation and compliance purposes. Zetera Corp.'s Hammer Z-Series, which allows small businesses to easily implement Storage Area Networks (SANs), attracted a significant amount of attention. Small businesses have typically steered clear of SANs because they are too costly and require too much maintenance. The $1,299 Hammer Z-Series needs only an Ethernet port, according to Zetera Corp. product marketing senior director Jeff Greenberg. Other products featured at the conference were Imation Corp.'s Odyssey removable hard disk drive backup cartridge, Quantum Corp.'s GoVault removable drive storage, and Seagate Technology's eSATA External Hard Drive.
(http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/testdrive/article.php/ 3617841)

Small Packages
Entrepreneur (07/06); Kooser, Amanda C.

Consumers that need more features than what a regular cell phone has to offer are increasingly turning to smartphones which can check email, stream video, and even surf the Internet over Wi-Fi technology. Advances in smartphone technology are expected to hit the market in upcoming years. The choice of a smartphone should be based on business needs. Factors to consider before purchasing include, type of email service offered, the availability of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and if a qwerty keyboard is needing for typing. Several companies offer a wide ranges of models to choose from. Consumers that want to keep the same service provider should find a phone that is compatible with their network. Business users who are looking for mobile email may want to try the Nokia E61, which comes with a small qwerty keyboard and has several email capabilities. LG has the V smartphone which also has a qwerty keyboard, as well as an MP3 player, while Motorola's SLVR L7 model offers Bluetooth capabilities and iTunes software. Smartphone prices vary based on service contracts and rebates.
(click for more)

The Art and Science of the Virtual Office
SmartBiz.com (07/05/06); Champaneria, Paul

Managers can increase productivity and cut costs by linking a distributed workforce, though this requires that they have the appropriate technology tools. The operation of virtual office spaces means the elimination of high overhead costs, something that is particularly attractive to small businesses. The operation of a virtual company necessitates certain types of employees, the right kind of technology, and planning. Employees should be highly motivated, capable of directing themselves, and be at ease with technology. Technology like high-speed Internet access, online collaboration tools, and hosted telecommunications services can facilitate the creation of a virtual office. Online collaboration tools include blogs, private wikis, instant messaging, and listservs. Telecommunication tools should include auto attendant, voice mail, individual extensions, conferencing, and call forwarding/transfer. Virtual offices work especially well for information service businesses, including consulting companies, accounting firms, real estate brokers, travel agents, non-profits, and software developers.
(http://www.smartbiz.com/article/articleprint/1399/-1/61)

Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Computer Reseller News (07/03/06) P. 26; Meredith, Simon

There are several things that companies selling convergence solutions need to do in order to be successful, and perhaps the most important is to actually use the solutions they sell, according to Lee Perkins, U.K. director at distributor Azlan. Although it does not always matter if IT companies use the solutions they are selling, it makes a big difference when selling convergence, particularly to smaller companies, Azlan said. "You need to show that you are so convinced of the benefits of convergence that you've had no hesitation in using the technology yourself." It is also important for companies selling convergence to talk about how the solution can both make the customer more efficient and increase productivity, said Phil Gale, voice product manager at distributor Comstor UK, though he noted that resellers must resist the temptation to simply talk about product feature sets and running functional comparisons between products. "Smaller businesses don't really know what they want, other than a standard phone," although they do know if they need to accommodate home workers or control rising phone bills, he said. Finally, resellers need to look at how the customer organization can improve processes and be more flexible and dynamic when applications, technologies, and networks are converged if they hope to sell convergence solutions successfully. Mark Blowers, senior research analyst at the Butler Group, claims that here there is a gap in the market that switched on-VARs should be able to take advantage of. "Not all resellers have chosen to emphasize their capabilities in this regard, and are still clinging to the TCO (total cost of ownership) way to promote their wares," he said. "We believe that this is not only a serious mistake, but also a clear early indicator of the resellers that will thrive in this emerging market space."
(http://www.whatpc.co.uk/crn/features/2159484/bridging-knowle dge-gap)

Survive and Thrive
Rough Notes (06/06)Vol. 149, No. 6, P. 40; Chivvis, John

Many businesses do not have business-continuity plans that are extensive enough to be helpful in the event of a disaster that restricts access to their offices. As a result, companies are increasingly turning to outside consultants to help ensure that their continuity planning is sound for a wide variety of possible catastrophes. One of the most important ways companies can ensure they can continue business during a disaster is to have an alternate "hot site" location, separate from normal premises but fully outfitted with necessary data, files, technology, and communication lines. Not all companies can afford this extensive a backup system, however, which makes rented space for servers and other crucial equipment a reasonably priced alternative. Affordable disaster-recovery solutions are often marketed heavily to small and medium-sized businesses, and can help such companies restart operations quickly after a disaster, encouraging them to look at how their workflow processes operate and how they might be modified to continue to function in an emergency. As a result, more businesses are escaping the fate of not being able to recover from a disaster that produces serious losses.
(click for more)

Got a Minute?
New Scientist (06/24/06)Vol. 190, No. 2557, P. 46; Motluk, Alison

Constant interruptions impair office productivity, with a Basex survey determining that more than two hours of the working day--and $588 billion a year in the United States--are consumed by such distractions, even when they are work-related. This situation is caused, and some researchers say can be cured, by technology. Computers that can rate the value of a communication and ascertain