Got the Picture? Check Out bMighty’s New Imaging How-To Center
If you dream of freeing your small business from a seemingly endless stream of documents, memos, reports, and invoices, then bMighty’s new Imaging How-To Center may be just what you are looking for.
Coming in the wake of its informative Server How-To Center, bMighty has created another guide for small and mid-sized businesses that offers practical information on using document imaging to save money and maximize workflow efficiency.
The site contains several free downloadable guides, with titles such as “Document Imaging, Simplified,” and “7 Steps to Document Imaging” as well as a growing collection of pertinent articles and resources culled from the Web, case studies, videos, and other useful information.
If you are thinking of bringing document imaging into your business this site is definitely worth checking out.
Wireless Communication: A Look At Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G & WiMAX
Over the last decade, wireless technology has changed the way people do business by improving efficiency and increasing the connectivity among businesses, employees, and customers. These days it is hard to find a standard electrical device that does not include built-in Bluetooth technology or wireless transmitters.
If you are thinking of bringing wireless communication to your business, it is important to familiarize yourself with the different technologies. Here is a brief rundown of the major wireless standards:
Bluetooth Technology:
Bluetooth is a wireless networking standard that provides short-range (about 10 meters) connectivity to electrical devices such as cell phones, computers and their peripherals, notebooks, and PDA’s. Data is transmitted via small radio transmitter/receivers installed in each electronic device.
There are several benefits to using this technology. Firstly, it does away with all the wires, connectors, and attachments needed to connect your peripherals to your computer system- whether you are in the office or on the go. Next, Bluetooth technology is pretty inexpensive- which is perfect for a cash-strapped small business. This technology is also easy to use with little user input. Finally, Bluetooth devices need very little power to operate and thus are particularly suitable for data transfers among low-powered handhelds where battery life is critical.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that can support a wireless Local Area Network and provides high-speed access to the Internet with data transmission rates approaching 54Mbps. The most popular Wi-Fi standard is the one used in the D-Link router, 802.11b. Wi-Fi networks operate over a limited range: 32 m (120 ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors. Most new laptops and desktop computers come with built-in wireless transmitters. If your equipment doesn’t support wireless communication then you can purchase a wireless adapter that plugs into the PC card slot or USB port.
Most Wi-Fi access points are run privately within homes or businesses, but there are also numerous public WiFi access points or “hotspots.” According to JiWire, Wi-Fi is currently available at more than 220,000 public hotspots and tens of millions of homes, corporations, and university campuses throughout the world.
3G:
3G is the third generation of mobile phone network standards and technologies. With 3G, network operators can offer users a wide range of advanced services within a mobile environment including: wireless voice telephony, video calls, broadband wireless data and HSPA data transmission.
In contrast to Wi-Fi, 3G networks are wide area networks, which means you can hook up from virtually anywhere- a park, a moving car, a commuter train. This added flexibility, however, comes with a higher price tag. You can expect to shell out a few hundred dollars a month on equipment and services.
WiMAX:
WiMAX is an emerging technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections to a large geographic area. Considered the successor to Wi-Fi, WiMAX provides improved performance and usage over much greater distances. WiMax supports peak data speeds of about 70mbps, with average user data rates between 1mbps and 10mbps and can be used for a number of applications, such as “last mile” broadband connections, hotspots and T1- type connections for businesses.
Improve Remote Workforce Management With These 6 Tech Tools
Supporting a remote workforce is fast becoming a common, cost-effective part of small business operations. While a lot of attention has been placed on the rising cost for a gallon of gas and the subsequent rise in business travel expenses, those small businesses that can manage a remote workforce also stand to benefit from increased flexibility and in some cases the ability to enter remote markets- even on a global scale.
But in order to maximize the benefits of having off-site workers, small businesses must set up a solid infrastructure with an emphasis on up-to-date technology, adequate IT support for their remote workers, and network security.
To that end, you should check out Michael Healey’s article in InformationWeek 6 Top Technologies for Remote Office Support… and 2 to Avoid, in which he examines server virtualization, desktop virtualization, IP telephony, WAN optimization, UTM (unified threat management) appliances and Instant Messaging. With each technology he offers its “promise” and then provides a “reality check” of sorts, detailing the technology’s limitations and the things you should consider.
If your small business is or will be relying on a remote workforce, you can save yourself a headache or two by doing things right from the beginning.
Recycling and Conserving Construction Material to Save Money and Your Business
Those who make their living in the construction industry have a lot to worry about these days- and I am not talking about the slump in commercial and residential construction. In the face of rising fuel prices and the surging cost of raw materials, many small and medium-sized contractors are realizing that in order to keep operating they must change the way they do business.
To that end, numerous builders, contractors, and demolition companies are learning how to best conserve and recycle their resources. Here are a few of the most successful ideas:
Get what you need for cheaper:
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Shop at a stores that sell used building materials and check out your local materials exchanges.
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Keep your eye on the global markets for price-volatile, commodity items, such as wood, metal, and aggregates and where possible negotiate bulk purchases for future projects and advance buys.
Make the most of what you have:
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Many raw materials, such as wood, metal, drywall, and concrete can easily be recycled for resale or reuse. You should research your options to see whether it pays transport material to a recycler or to recycle on site with your own equipment, such as a wood chipper or an industrial grinder.
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Fuel can also be conserved with the use of various location-based and telematic devices.
Plan ahead:
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Create a waste reduction or recycling plan for your business, and give it over to your employees.
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Use standard material sizes in your building plans
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Include the use of recycled supplies in your building plan
For more information on construction material recycling and waste disposal check out these sites:
The Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/debris-new/index.htm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cea/publications/pubs/section3/ie211.pdf
Winham Solid Waste Management
Constructionbusinessowner.com
www.constructionbusinessowner.com/
Building Materials Reuse Association
Free and Easy Data Encryption: Now There’s No Excuse…
In a recent post, I bemoaned the fact that business travelers and the companies they work for have been lax in protecting and retrieving their laptops while on the road- even when these laptops hold sensitive information.
But businesses must do more then merely keeping tabs on their equipment. Wherever sensitive data is stored, it must be protected since it can easily fall into the wrong hands.
One of the best ways to protect this valuable information is through data encryption, and now you can do it for free. TrueCrypt which is distributed under an open-source license, is one of the best encryption programs available on the Web. It is also easy to install and use on your computer.
So now there really is no excuse for proper data protection.
Do-It-Yourself IT
Small business owners are known for wearing many hats- manager, sales representative, marketer… Now “IT consultant” can be added to the list.
Corporate spending on IT has slowed down just as numerous studies and forecasts predicted earlier this year. And according to John Chambers, Cisco Systems Inc’s Chief Executive, we can expect the slowdown in tech spending to drag on for several more months.
This trend belies a struggle that countless small business owners are facing as they try to run a successful small business in a cooling economy. Small businesses must strike a delicate balance between investing in the IT solutions that will keep them competitive, productive, and efficient, while tapping into a drying well of resources.
In an effort to conserve capital, many in the small business world are becoming their own IT experts, getting their education from the various free tutorials, primers, and articles offered on the Web.
One company to recently enter the fray is bMighty.com with its new Server How-To Center- a free collection of tips, tricks, and hints for everyone from beginners to experts on how to choose and install a server.
For the determined business IT expert wanna-be there is certainly no shortage of information.
The question is, however, if this strategy pays off in the long-run as IT solutions get more advanced and integrated, yet more vulnerable. Making a mistake in network security, for example, can lead to devastating breech of sensitive information.
Every small business should examine their own unique circumstances before choosing how (and on whom) to spend their IT dollars.
When Driving is a Must: Choosing The Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles For Your Business
If you own a small business that involves fieldwork, then knowing which vehicles to include in your fleet can get very confusing. A few years ago you may have sought vehicles that were economical, reliable, and practical, but these days you need to take into account fuel efficiency and the vehicle’s environmental impact.
Whether you are looking for a pickup truck, van, or a standard car; a hybrid gas and electric vehicle, or one that uses diesel, ethanol or regular gasoline, the only way to cut through the confusion is by doing your research.
Check out the EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide where you can search for vehicles under a variety of factors such as fuel economy and air pollution score by make, model, and availability by state. You can also download the EPA’s 2008 Fuel Economy Guide to get tips on fuel conservation and see their picks for the overall top automotive performers on the market today.
Another site worth checking out is that of the US Department of Energy. This informative site has comprehensive collection of tips, news, and information regarding fuel economy. Be sure to also look up their list of the 10 best and worst automobiles in fuel efficiency.
Business Travelers Fall Short in PC Security
Even with all the talk these days about business data security it seems we still have a long way to go…
According to a recent study sponsored by Dell conducted by PC security researcher Larry Ponemon, business travelers lose about 12,000 PCs each week in US airports (that works out to approximately 600,000 a year!), and more than 65% of these laptops are never recovered. Though most of these PC’s (53%) contain confidential business information, 65% of those who carry it do not take steps to protect it, and 16% of the professionals polled said that if they their laptops were “lost when traveling on business,” they would do “nothing.”
These statistics are staggering to say the least. It underscores a general lack of education and attentiveness to data security among business professionals and the companies they work for.
But the very presence of this apathy is puzzling. Businesses these days face many internal and external threats that can compromise their sensitive data. Given the fact that a business’ credibility and value is often determined by how well it can secure this information, the question is why is this happening?
Dell published the results of the survey in conjunction with an announcement of several new, reasonably-priced PC security services including, laptop tracking and recovery, remote data delete, and hard drive data recovery.
All these services will certainly make it easier for businesses to secure the information on their employees’ laptops, but it seems to be a band-aid solution to a problem of attitude.
Home Office Ergonomics: Treat Your Body Right
As traveling expenses continue to skyrocket, many people are finding it more cost-effective to work from home- whether as a telecommuter or as an independent small business owner. For these homebound workers, the quality of their work experience will be greatly effected by the equipment they use and the work environment they are able to create within their living space.
When designing a home office, acquiring equipment and other furnishings, that are ergonomically sound should be made a priority- even if it means paying a little more for these items. Not only will it help to increase job efficiency and performance, but it can also positively effect a worker’s attitude on the job.
Here is a list of the major items in a home office and what you should look for in terms of essential ergonomics:
The Office Chair: Look for a swivel chair that can be adjusted for height, arm height, lumbar and lower back support. The chair should be adjusted so that your feet can rest flat on the floor or on a footrest.
The Desk: If you are using your desk for writing or drawing, look for an inclined surface as opposed to a flat one. If you will be placing a computer on the desk then choose one with an adjustable keyboard shelf. A matted surface will also help to reduce eyestrain from glare.
The Telephone: To reduce neck strain invest in either an handsfree head set or a speakerphone. Alternatively, you could fit your phone with a shoulder cradle to support your head and neck.
Lighting Fixtures: Use halogen or other bright lights as task lighting making sure to direct it away from your computer screen to eliminate glare.
The Computer Monitor: Flat panel screens are known to reduce glare. Make sure your monitor can be easily adjusted for height and tilt.
The Mouse and Keyboard: If you need to use your mouse a lot then look for alternative input devices such as a trackball or a touch pad. Look for a keyboard that ergonomically designed and add a wrist pad for extra support.
The Laptop: Make sure to use your laptop on a hard, flat surface (preferably an ergonomic desk!) If you mostly work from a laptop and not a desktop computer the consider getting a docking station. This will allow you to plug your laptop into a full-sized monitor and keyboard.