NETWORK WORLD JAMES E. GASKIN'S SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY 08/19/04 Today's focus: Analyze, support, grow: Part 1
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * How to find your technology identity * Links related to Small Business Technology * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by 3Com Should small businesses settle for less than enterprise quality? Now you don't have to. 3Com has put its enterprise experience to work to create high-performance, reliable, easy to use networking solutions for small businesses. On select products, set-up takes just 15 minutes or less. Learn more and enter the $20,000 Dream Vacation Sweepstakes at http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72651 _______________________________________________________________ CHECK OUT NW FUSION'S NEW WHITE PAPER LIBRARY Just launched: NW Fusion's White Paper Library with new features and improved capabilities! Sort NW Fusion's library of white papers by Date and Vendor, view white papers by TECHNICAL CATEGORY, mouse over white paper descriptions and take advantage of our IMPROVED white paper search engine. CLICK HERE: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72559 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Analyze, support, grow: Part 1 By James E. Gaskin What is a small business? A simple question with a complicated answer. The government defines businesses by number of employees, except when using revenue. Vendors like to use number of employees or number of computers. But think about it. You can have a large number of employees but a small number of technical needs, like a lumberyard with lots of employees and inventory but not many computers. Or you can have a small number of employees and huge technical needs, such as a one-person graphic design firm or a three-person firm selling products globally on the Web. So if you let vendors sell you products based on how they define you, rather than what you really are, you'll get the wrong products and services. And replacing those as you grow will hurt. So this week, I'll help you define your technology identity and how you want to grow. Next time, I'll help you find the right consultants and dealers to do it. First, inventory your technology investment. Look at your internal systems and outsourced systems, such as a Web and e-mail host. Then find your company's tech identity on this list (the numbers are guidelines, not absolutes): * Stand-alone systems (1-10 computers). * Peer to peer (2-20 computers). * Dedicated server (1-50 computers). * Multiple servers and/or departments (20+ computers). * Single location (1+ computers). * Multiple locations (2+ computers). Second, see how well you've managed each of these support details and the sub-details you must control: * Security (hackers, spam, viruses). ��* Connections (wired, wireless, remote). ��* Types of computers (desktops, notebooks, servers, specialized �� servers). ��* Applications (operating systems, office tools, special �� business apps, custom apps). ��* Business continuity (data backup, power protection, disaster �� recovery). The best way I can show all this information is with the Tech Matrix I've begun at <http://www.gaskinguides.com/>. It won't be finished for a while - there are a lot of boxes to fill in - but I wanted to give you a sneak peek so you get the idea. Follow down the list of technology identities until you find yours, then read what's under the Hawaiian shirt. Each tech identity covers each of the support details listed above, hence, creating a personalized technology matrix for your business. For example, if you have a single computer in a single location, your security issues are considerably different than someone with multiple locations. How about multiple servers but a single location? You have different connection issues than someone with a small number of computers in multiple locations. Note how little here involves number of employees. You can have a dedicated server for two employees or a dozen locations with four employees each and no dedicated server. You might have 100 computers and use a single server or have three employees and need a specialized Web server cluster to guarantee constant availability. Even though I haven't finished the matrix, you can still give some serious thought to your various support details. Are you comfortable, for example, that your peer-to-peer network is secure against hackers, spam and viruses? Do you feel confident in the data back-up system in place for your multiple locations that don't have a centralized server? If not, next time we'll talk about where to get some help to ease your mind. Everything listed must support your business, not provide technology for technology's sake. If your firm works great now and can grow with a single location, then ignore the support details relating to multiple locations. Let your business push you to expand your systems and network - not the consultants and dealers. _______________________________________________________________ To contact: James E. Gaskin Gaskin writes books (13 so far), articles and jokes about technology and real life from his home office in the Dallas area. He has been helping small and midsize businesses use technology intelligently since 1986. He can be reached at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by McAfee Visit the Enterprise Security Center, sponsored by McAfee(r), for an exclusive collection of news, whitepapers, information, analysis and strategy for securing your networks and systems. Learn new strategies for securing your servers and protecting your desktops from viruses. Get the latest information on how to stay on top of the latest threats to your network and bolster your skills in synergizing your IT staff as a critical business asset. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72596 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the Small Business Technology newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/columnists/gaskin.html Breaking telework and SMB news: http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/ _______________________________________________________________ High-tech apple pie - the virtual data center The move to virtual data centers is one of the most important transitions of the last 30 years. Learn why this new technological vision is so compelling in our webcast, The Evolution of the Virtual Data Center. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72481 _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE WONDERING IF YOUR PAY IS UP TO SNUFF? Check out Network World's 2004 Salary Calculator to see if you're getting paid what you're worth. Using data collected in the 2004 Network World Salary Survey, we've programmed this calculator with several categories that could affect your pay. Answer the questions and find out what the average salary is for your job category. Click here: <http://www.nwfusion.com/salary/2004/calculator.html> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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