Storage Capacity Planning: What's Enough and What's Too Much?
Small Business Computing (05/08/07) ; Robb, Drew

Even small businesses need to have sufficient storage space for digital files, including PowerPoint presentations, videos, and graphics. Firms of about 20 employees do not need major implementations that force them to bring a tech expert on board. Buffalo Technology's TeraStation offers 1 TB of space for $650 and 2 TB for $1,000. Those in need of more features, such as RAID protection and support for numerous operating systems, should consider Adaptec's 2 TB Snap Server 410 for $3,500. Firms of about 50 employees would be wise to implement Network Attached Storage (NAS), which provides access to data stored on multiple servers. Before making a purchase, they should ensure the product is reliable and allows for the addition of more storage and applications as the company grows. NAS options include StoreVault S500, which costs $7,000 for 2 TB and eight 250GB hard drives, and EMC Corp's CLARiiON AX150, which offers different TB capacities and hardware redundancy starting at less than $6,000. Companies with more than 100 workers should expect to spend above $10,000, choosing from such products as the Adaptec Snap Server 650, with up to 64.2 TB.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/news/article.php/3676386

An Expert's Do's and Don'ts for Outsourcing Technology
Wall Street Journal (05/07/07) P. B8 ; Lorber, Laura

Paul Horowitz of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP offers several tips to small businesses interested in outsourcing technology. Horowitz urges them to prepare an exit strategy to move the work internally if the arrangement is unsuccessful. When considering a vendor, Horowitz recommends that companies meet with the staff members who will be handling much of the project--not just the sales representatives--and consult at least 10 previous customers regarding their experiences with the vendor. Additionally, they should select a backup vendor in case the original deal falls apart. Horowitz also underscores the importance of a contract that spells out how the inclusion of additional work or project expansions will be handled and encourages companies to inquirer about the vendor's data security strategies, such as security audits and employee background checks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117849214354593866.html?mod=todays_us_marketplace

Getting Started: Selecting a PC for Your Small Business
Small Business Computing (05/07/07) ; Bsales, Jamie

For small businesses struggling to choose the best desktop PCs, it is important for them to balance their budgets with their current and future needs. Presently, they can outfit their workers for about $600 per computer by opting for units equipped with Windows XP. However, for about $1,000 per PC, they can get machines equipped with Windows Vista--offering added security with built-in spyware protection and a backup and restore application--larger screens, and more storage space. Still, compatibility issues with applications and peripherals presently in use may make companies hesitant to embrace Vista right now. Small businesses also have access to Apple computers that run both Mac and Windows operating systems. Experts urge small firms to pay close attention to processors, opting for dual-core processors from AMD or Intel; and to ensure optimum performance, they should have no less than 1GB of RAM for XP or Mac and 2GB for Vista. As for storage, experts recommend 80GB to 250GB, depending on how much work is performed and whether photos and videos will be stored.
http://www.SmallBusinessComputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/367
6106

Why You Need a File Server Right Now
SmallBizResource (04/26/07) ; Archer, Dick

Thanks to advances in technology, dedicated file servers are now user-friendly and affordable enough for small businesses to upgrade from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. P2P networks do not allow computers to share resources unless they are connected to the network, so greater mobility and laptop use means companies would be better off with file servers. Additionally, file servers are more secure than P2P networks and enable automated data backups and data segregation. There are several file servers available for less than $500, including the PowerEdge SC440 from Dell and Windows Small Business Server 2003.
http://www.smallbizresource.com/document.asp?doc_id=122493

Telecommuting Goes Agile as Employees Unplug
Techworld (04/24/07) ; Mears, Jennifer

Teleworkers are those who accomplish business tasks outside the office, and these workers are growing in number thanks to wireless devices enabling out-of-office accessibility. The availability of high-speed, affordable broadband and wireless access has made working remotely a productive and economical option. In addition, employers are increasingly eager to help employees reach a work-life balance by providing flexibility through wireless communications. Indeed, a growing number of businesses have outfitted employees with Blackberries, cell phones, and other wireless devices. Businesses also need to not only equip these workers with the best tools for telework, but also ensure that networks are secured with passwords and other protections. Firms will also want to institute specific usage guidelines for these workers to limit liabilities, distractions, and unnecessary charges.
http://www.techworld.nl/idgns/3037/telecommuting-goes-agile-as-em
ployees-unplug.html

Remote Data at Risk
Processor (04/20/07) Vol. 29 , No. 16 , P. 25 ; Perry, Christian

Tom Mackowski of Iron Mountain reports that remote offices account for 60 percent of corporate data, making security a great concern. Remote office data, according to Mackowski, "lives at the edge of the network on remote servers and PCs--typically outside the layers of traditional security afforded to a data center." To ensure security of this data, experts recommend fully-encrypted virtual private networks, regularly updated antivirus and anti-spyware solutions, centrally administered software support, and centrally managed online backup. They also urge companies to consider RAID arrays or other methods of data redundancy and to make sure the server rooms, offices, and wiring closets that store the machines containing data are secure.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2
Fp2916%2F31p16 2F31p16.asp&guid=&searchtype=&WordList=&bJumpTo=Tr
ue

Wireless Will Deliver Net Big Productivity Boost, Says Global Survey
Government Technology (04/19/07)

Wireless networks will provide the biggest impact on productivity in the next five years, predicts an international survey of 9,000 respondents from 18 countries, while the Internet was named the single-most important innovation. The survey, conduced by Ipsos on behalf of Lexmark International, also found that beyond wireless networks, greater computing speed, smart cards, the Internet, and broadband connections would have the next biggest impact on productivity. Forty percent of respondents said they already have a wireless network at home, be it the Internet or any other solution made possible with wireless routers such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; and of those respondents, 80 percent said they are more productive because of their wireless networks. Of the respondents who said they do not have a wireless network, 58 percent would be convinced by a "good offer," and 39 percent said they could be convinced with a clear understanding of all of the benefits. Respondents with wireless networks were generally pleased with their experiences, with 42 percent saying they had no problems or frustrations, 20 percent reporting dropped connections, and 19 percent encountering slow speeds.
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/story.print.php?id=105058

Spyware Protection
Journal of Accountancy (04/07) Vol. 203 , No. 4 , P. 65 ; Davis, James P.

Spyware is a small, pernicious computer program that is often placed on a computer's hard drive without the user's knowledge. It can inundate users with pop-up advertisements, frequently alter default Web pages, make personal information available to hackers, or delete or modify files. Users can unintentionally infect their computers with spyware through freeware or shareware software, by opening email attachments, or visiting certain Web sites. Basic antivirus programs do not fully wipe out spyware, making anti-spyware software a necessity. These applications scan hard drives, Windows registries, and background applications for spyware, either deleting or quarantining it. While several anti-spyware products are free--including Microsoft Windows Defender and Spybot Search and Destroy--experts say commercial products may be more powerful. These commercial programs include Webroot Software's Spy Sweeper and Computer Associates' CA Anti Spyware.
http://www.cpa2biz.com/News/Journal+of+Accountancy/default.htm

New Tools Enhance Excel
Business Finance (04/07) ; Kugel, Robert

Although desktop spreadsheets are cheap and versatile, they can also be error-prone, difficult to audit, and awkward to work with in collaborative, repetitive business processes such as budgeting. Fortunately, there are now several solutions available that address these problems. One type of solution is spreadsheet management programs, which address error and control issues in desktop spreadsheets. Low-end spreadsheet management programs, including those from Lyquidity and Synkronizer, are Microsoft Excel add-ons that make it easier for users to track and spot changes that they can detect unauthorized modifications or determine which cells need to be checked. Higher-end spreadsheet management programs are comprehensive packages that discover and track spreadsheet files and manage access, accuracy, and their audit. Another solution is server-based spreadsheets, which use a central database to store information and formulas and (to varying degrees) automate and manage processes. Server-based spreadsheets offer a number of benefits, including the ability to automate the creation of Excel workbooks to increase the speed, accuracy, and usefulness of corporate data. However, server-based spreadsheets are not an option for most companies with fewer than 100 employees and those with up to 500 employees, due to the cost and resources required to purchase and maintain the software.
http://www.businessfinancemag.com/magazine/archives/article.html?
articleID=14799&highlight=New%20Tools%20Enhance%20Excel