Choosing the Right Managed Service Provider
SmartBiz.com (03/19/07) ; Abram, Bill

There are several things small businesses should consider when choosing a managed services provider for data backup and security. The provider should be willing to conduct a needs analysis to determine which products are necessary. The vendor should have a proven track record and offer products that are flexible, scalable, and customizable. In regards to security, the provider should be SAS70-Type II, TRUSTe, and Safe Harbor certified. They must also guarantee that their clients' servers, applications, email systems, and Web sites remain operational and remotely accessible during a business disruption; and they should promptly respond when performance problems are reported. Finally, companies should ensure that whatever provider and products they choose comply with industry and government standards.
http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2028

Getting Down to Business With SMEs
VNUNet (03/19/07) ; Booth, Nick

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have recently begun to get serious about the concept of business continuity. Threats to business continuity can take many forms, from lightning strikes to terrorist attacks to the unexpected loss of broadband Internet service. SMEs in particular are sensitive to these types of unforeseen disruptions, but they typically do not invest in business-continuity services unless the cost of disruption will be higher than the cost of the service, according to industry observers. However, even the smallest of companies should have a business continuity plan; and SMEs are advised to view continuity planning as an issue of "best practices" that involve quickly adapting to change. For instance, the flexibility of SMEs make it possible for workers to conduct business from home in the event of an emergency. One inexpensive business-continuity option for SMEs is a single wireless router with SIM card, which would maintain communications if fixed lines are down.
http://www.vnunet.com/crn/analysis/2185705/getting-business-smes


IT Illiteracy Undermines Productivity
VNUNet (03/19/07) ; Murray, James

Not only is there a dearth of skilled information technology (IT) professionals in the market, IT departments also find that the workforce outside the IT department often lacks the knowledge necessary to operate basic programs. This poor IT knowledge base among general workers can lead to productivity losses and reduce a firm's ability to compete in the global marketplace. E-Skills UK director Martin Harvey says, "We have evidence that those with the right IT skills for their role can save 40 minutes a day compared to those who are less adept. It may not sound a lot but when you add it up that means a huge amount of productivity is being lost." As more and more job functions are done remotely or offshore, having the right IT skills become of the utmost importance, which will require firms to invest further in IT training courses for workers. However, unlike larger firms, resources for training courses and programs are minimal at smaller firms, which is why experts tout the benefits of online technology learning programs and improvements in user interfaces that are easier to understand. Some experts note that the dearth of IT skilled workers will soon pass as increasingly tech savvy students emerge from colleges and universities.
http://www.vnunet.com/itweek/analysis/2185783/illiteracy-undermin
es

Internet Service Boosts Worker Productivity
Detroit News (03/16/07) ; Morath, Eric

A growing number of employees are utilizing phones that are linked with their computers, enabling them to respond from anywhere, send voice mails to email inboxes, and streamline their workplace communications. VoIP, which uses a one data network for phone and computer applications, was initially used to reduce administrative costs, but it is now thought of by companies as a way to improve productivity. One option for companies interested in VoIP requires the replacement of desktop phones with VoIP phones, allowing calls to be transferred to email inboxes, cell phones, other phones within and outside the office. However replacing numerous devices can become expensive, and may not be the best option for a company with little cash. Another option is to merge the current phone system with the business's data network, allowing the business to maintain its old desktop phones, but workers would be unable to place calls through their computers and would be unable to develop lists of numbers sent straight into voicemail.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/BIZ04/
703160358/1001/BIZ

Virtualization Forecast
Processor (03/09/07) Vol. 29 , No. 10 , P. 1 ; Weisman, Robyn

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not embraced storage virtualization, mainly because it is more expensive than other storage solutions, but NeoPath Networks expects these companies to adopt virtualization in large numbers this year for several reasons. NeoPath believes SMEs will turn to virtualization because it is cheaper to use for data migration--a task that must be undertaken when upgrading to new servers, increasing storage capacity, and backing up remote servers, among other events. Virtualization will also allow SMEs to consolidate data, rather than waste time managing several different devices. Finally, SMEs can save money by minimizing downtime, as virtualization dramatically reduces the time it takes to complete a migration. According to NeoPath CEO Alan Baratz, "Virtualization is a relatively elegant but straightforward approach that allows for migration 24 hours a day, and now what took a month to complete now takes a week."
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2
Fp2910%2F30p10%2F30p10%2Easp&guid=33B790108F9C4BE9908D4E7AC5C90FF
D&searchtype=&WordList=&bJumpTo=True

Finding the Perfect Firewall
BizTech Magazine (03/01/07) Vol. 3 , No. 1 , P. 20 ; Dotson, Jeremy

There are several things companies must consider when selecting a firewall, first taking note of what they want to block. They should keep in mind that while firewalls keep unauthorized parties off the network, they may also block VoIP calls, Web site links, and remote workers connecting via virtual private networks (VPNs). In regards to VPNs, problems arise when mobile workers are behind another firewall that blocks the necessary protocols, or the company's firewall is not compatible with the built-in Windows client. To avoid such issues, companies should make sure the vendor provides Windows Mobile connectivity. Among the firewalls on the market that inspect packets at both the transport and application layers are Sonic Wall's Pro 2040 Standard, Adaptive Security Appliance 5510 from Cisco Systems, and WatchGuard's Firebox X 550e.
http://www.biztechmagazine.com/article.asp?item_id=202