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.

 

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.

Telematics: Getting the Most Out of Your Machinery

If you are particular about the quality and maintenance of your field machinery, then you should consider incorporating telematics into your fleet operations. Telematics has begun to make its way into the farming industry as a method of improving overall efficiency and production.

In general, telematics involves sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices. Information is sent from the field via cellular network to a computer with special software that reads and processes the data.

This technology offers many possible uses and benefits for farmers that go way beyond simple vehicle location. Farmers can track fuel levels, vehicle performance, engine temperature, and hours worked in the field. Special sensors placed throughout the machine can also alert farmers about the breakdown of parts and components, even before it happens. Some systems further allow for the remote setup and control of machinery. All this monitoring is conducted in real-time from a remote location, such as a home office.

Aside from the obvious benefits, telematics technology is also becoming more affordable for the average farmer. The necessary hardware, including devices, wiring, and antennas, will run about $400-$600. There is also a small daily service charge. Equipment can be purchased directly from equipment dealers or retrofitted by third party companies.

Small Businesses Are Relying on Their Smartphones

Against the backdrop of a slowing economy, skyrocketing gas prices, and a general drop in consumer confidence, small businesses have a lot to worry about these days. In response, many small business owners are training their eyes on anything that will help them to maintain their competitive edge, increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce costs.

Perhaps this is part of the impetus underlying the increasing demand for smartphones among American small businesses. According to a recent study conducted by AMI, 31% of small businesses are regularly using smartphones to access e-mail, contact information, and their mobile calenders. The study further revealed that many small businesses are already are looking into more advanced applications such as, location-based services, CRM, field force automation, and sales force automation.

According to AMI-Partners Research Analyst Yedda Chew, “…[With] the ease of smartphones like Palm Centro or the BlackBerry Pearl/Curve, these low-cost solutions are providing [small businesses] a seamless connection between business owners and their customers and employees anytime and from anywhere. What’s more, with 13% of the SB workforce being mobile, staying connected is crucial for the owner to stay abreast of his/her everyday work activities.”

In short, mobile applications allow employees to access a powerful combination of inventory data, customer relationship information, and other company-wide knowledge. It is no stretch to say that mobile technology is changing the way small businesses do business.

The Case for Investing in GPS for Your Small Business

If you manage a fleet of vehicles or have employees who do a lot of field work for your business, then you should consider investing GPS devices. There are many benefits of using GPS devices to manage your employees and equipment. You can increase fuel efficiency, productivity, and quality control by locating the quickest route to a given destination, and by keeping tabs on your employees, you are in the best position to maximize your business’ resources.

But even with all the benefits, according to a survey conducted by In-Stat as reported in a recent USA Today article, many employers are reluctant to invest in GPS devices. It seems that in an effort to reduce costs, many businesses (especially the smaller ones) are are being cautious when it comes to investing in technology. Only 8% of those surveyed had their GPS devices provided to them by their employers. Over 70% purchased the equipment themselves.

But as gas prices continue to rise, the case for investing in GPS technology is getting stronger. The reduction in fuel consumption and idle time alone may be enough to justify the investment.

Today’s GPS units come with many added features such as traffic alerts, voice prompts that include street names, and the ability to wirelessly link a mobile phone to an in-car unit in order to get hands-free usage. Another important feature that may be of considerable value for a small business is multi-destination routing. This feature allows you to enter multiple routes into your GPS at one time so as to calculate the best route that includes all of your destinations.

Click here for a thorough review of the top in-car GPS units.

Happy traveling!

Scalable Storage Solutions for Small Businesses

One of the biggest issues facing many small businesses these days is Data Storage (that’s capital “D,” capital “S”). An emphasis on data storage really involves several factors, such as managing a large data capacity and intense data flows, setting up proper data security systems and reliable data backup solutions, and making sure all the data is organized and usable. So when we say scalable storage we don’t just mean a solution that can be easily expanded and upgraded to handle newer technologies and increased data flow, but also one that provides data reliability, security, and usability.

What are your Options?

• Upgrade your existing equipment. If you have used up much of your available hard disk space, you can purchase a new internal drive to increase your processing power and storage capacity.

• Add external enclosure or external USB hard drive. An external enclosure for an internal hard drive offers a good combination of performance, reliability, and scalability and can be used with one or more servers. External USB hard drives usually come with back-up software, and most have a one-touch back-up button.

• Get an NAS server. A network-attached storage device (NAS) is by far the most practical (but expensive) storage solution for many small businesses in terms of versatility, scalability, and management. A NAS is a dedicated server that can store software to be used by multiple computers on a network and also back-up files. Look for units that have two or more SATA, SATA II, or SCSI RAID-configured hard drives.There are several leading NAS manufacturers that offer comprehensive customer support. Check out HP StorageWorks 9100 Extreme Data Storage System, Dell’s PowerVault MD3000i, and Sun’s open source storage server that supports the Zettabyte File System and the OpenSolaris operating system on its Thumper hardware.

• Look into Online Storage. There are many companies offering online backup and security solutions. Small businesses may opt for this method to avoid purchasing costly equipment and having to manage the data. But do your research before choosing this solution. Data security and speed (you really need a fast Internet connection for this) are two factors to consider. Also, only do business with an established company. Click here for a list and review of the major online storage companies.

Can Your Business Handle Intense Data Flow?

Many businesses that process massive amounts of data are not prepared for a sudden surge in data flow even though these companies predict a future spike in the demand for data, a recent study finds.

Business Performance Management Forum (BPM) an organization dedicated to promoting performance accountability and process improvement in global organizations, conducted a survey of 125 IT professionals to assess data performance and the effect of downtime on a business’ operations.

Over half of those surveyed have already experienced losses in productivity due to data overload at critical moments, and more than a third of those surveyed expect a significant increase in data volumes and user demand in the coming year, yet 56% are not fully prepared to handle it.

Moreover, even though 80% responded that storage performance and data access by employees, partners and customers are important to their business, 78% of these companies are not adequately prepared to handle a surge of data flow 10 times greater than their average daily processing volumes

It is quite obvious that the success of a business that handles a massive data flow depends on its being prepared for those unpredictable yet inevitable spikes in data generation and user demand. Chalk it up as yet another concern on a long list of IT objectives.

The Case for Connectivity: Why Small Businesses Need to Invest in IT

I have written several posts about topics in business technology including the hyperconnected workforce, the use of open source software, methods of teleconferencing, and recently a brief primer on smartphones for the uninitiated.

Among all of these posts there is a central theme: Small businesses are operating in a world where Information Technology is extensively changing the way people live and work. The emergence of Web 2.0 and the proliferation of versatile mobile devices supports a culture of instant information and global connection. People are not only itching to share both themselves and their knowledge with the world, but they want their own queries to be fulfilled efficiently and accurately.

Small businesses should take note. In order to run a successful business these days, it is essential that you get a foothold in several key areas, namely:

• The Internet. Don’t underestimate the power of the Web on your bottom line. A Web presence, no matter how small or basic will let online users know that you exist. Even if you do not have a website, it is essential that you register your business by any local search engines as well as relevant Point of Interest databases.

• Mobile Technology. This is extremely important if your small business has employees who do field work (work outside of the office) or who frequently go on business trips. According to research conducted last year by Aberdeen Group, 48% of nearly 700 respondents stated that the challenge of managing a decentralized workforce was a prime motivation behind investment in mobile business solutions, while 33% stated that the motivation stemmed from trying to reduce operational costs.

• Software as a service (SaaS). On-demand software (also called software-as-a-service or SaaS) may be the perfect solution for many small businesses that are lacking the infrastructure to effectively operate various aspects of a business such to payroll processing, and reporting on sales and marketing. These software applications that are leased over the Web or to mobile devices from an outside vendor. There are also industry-specific SaaS programs designed to help businesses operated more efficiently.

• Proper data security. To be successful these days small businesses need to know how to properly protect any sensitive business data and customer information including as names, social security numbers, pin numbers and access codes. You can do this by installing up-to-date anti-virus software on all computers, setting up a corporate firewall, securing your mobile devices, and making sure that you have a reliable method of data backup.

The Smartphone Demystified: For Those Who Are Still A Little Clueless

What is a smartphone?

A smartphone has all the features of a regular mobile phone combined with the computing power of a PDA. This means that in addition to making regular calls, you can access the Internet, download e-mail, read or edit document attachments, send instant messages, listen to MP3s, synchronize data with your computer, determine your location with GPS and watch videos- all from one compact device.

If you also take into account a wide range of mobile software applications and business tools, it is little wonder why smartphones are making their way into the realm of small business. Some small business owners are going so far as to run their entire operation on their mobile devices.

If you are new to smartphone technology here is a brief rundown of several common features that you can expect to see in many smartphones currently on the market.

Email Capabilities:

The smartphone can access browser-based email accounts such as Yahoo Mail and Gmail and can display full HTML email messages. It can also be synchronized with Outlook to exchange contact information

Voice Commands:

There is voice recognition for auto dialing

Multimedia Text Messaging and Instant Messaging:

The cell phone has the ability to send multimedia text messages, consisting of text, audio, photo or video files. It also supports instant messaging through popular chat services like MSN, Yahoo and Google.

Synchronization:

Smartphones can be synchronized with your desktop computer to update contact information, emails, and files. Phones that use the Windows Mobile Smartphone edition with ActiveSync can easily synchronize with Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. Synchronization can either be wireless via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or through a USB port.

Internet Features:

Many smartphones support full web page access (ie not just web pages designated for mobile devices) with a highspeed wireless Internet connection.

Network Connection:

Smartphones use the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network for voice transmission and the GPRS and 3G networks for data transmission. Most smartphones now offer EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) connectivity which provides high speed data transfer, particularly for Web and multimedia over the GSM network. Many devices also offer Wi-Fi allowing for highspeed surfing.

Data Input:

Some smartphones sport a full QWERTY keyboard, others, such as the iPhone, have a touchscreen interface.

Multimedia:

Many smartphones come with a high resolution digital camera, MP3 player, camcorder with video playback, and video player.

Who Are the Major Players?

So which smartphones are making the top of the review lists?

• Apple iPhone 
• RIM Blackberry Curve 
• Blackberry Pearl 
• AT&T Tilt 
• Palm Treo 750 
• Motorola Q 
• T Mobile Dash 
• T Mobile Sidekick 

Click here for a list of major smartphone reviews.

 

 

Small Businesses Can Save Money on Airline Tickets: Think Teleconferencing

As the cost of airfare soars in response to the ever-rising price of fuel, many small businesses may be forced to find alternative ways to communicate with their distant clients, prospective customers, and remote partners.

Due to advances in technology and green consciousness, teleconferencing is becoming a popular business travel alternative among small and mid-sized businesses. Some of this technology is not as expensive as you may think and bringing it into your company can dramatically enhance the way you do business- not to mention save you precious time and money in the long-run.

Here is a quick rundown of the different options:

Audio Teleconferencing:

This is a popular choice for many small businesses since it does not require a lot of additional equipment- only a telephone for each person involved in the conference call. Some companies also opt for a VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) line which allows them to use their Internet connection to communicate over the phone.

There are several ways to customize your audio telecommunication to fit the needs of your business, including the number of participants you can have on your call, and the availability of pass codes, secure access, local or toll free call in numbers, and operator assistance.

Video Teleconferencing:

This technology is similar to audio teleconferencing, except in this case video is added. It is best suited for distance lectures, brainstorming sessions, or conferences that require visual presentation.

The choice of which video conferencing equipment and tools you will need will depend on the needs of your business, but the main components of a typical video conferencing setup include a conferencing phone, video cameras and television screens, and web access.

There are several companies offering video conferencing solutions including: IVCi, Polycom, Sony, VCON, Smart Technologies, and RADvision.

Web Conferencing
As the name suggests, web conferencing is conducted via the Internet and can incorporate many different features that cannot be supported with video or audio conferencing, such as streaming video or audio, application sharing, text slides, white boards, polling, web tours, and PowerPoint presentations.

For web conferences, all parties involved will need a computer, a video camera or webcam, a microphone, a set of speakers and a high speed Internet connection.

You will also need a video conferencing system. There are two forms of video conferencing systems- either a dedicated system or one that is run from a desktop. A dedicated system is generally used for conventions or technologically advanced conferences. They typically require expensive equipment and considerable training to set it up.

With the desktop version, however, the equipment is basic and can easily and relatively inexpensively be upgraded. Web conferencing software is available for download as part of any modern instant messenger package. There are also several higher-end software packages that work with specific video conferencing services, such as WebEx and WiredRed.

As with the other two conferencing options, there are are many different features offered through a wide-range of providers. Knowing which solution is best for you will depend on the needs of your business.

As the price of business travel increases many small business owners may find that it is just cheaper and easier to do business from home.

Newer Posts »