Here's Software to Manage Your Business Like the Big Guys
TheStreet.com (11/19/07) ; Blum, Jonathan

Small businesses now have access to automated lead tracking, call logging, accounting, and other productivity and sales support software once available only to large companies. Offerings intended for small firms include Microsoft Business Contact Manager and Intuit Quickbase. While all of these software applications are similar in that they offer transaction tracking, calendar, messaging, word processing, file management, and task management capabilities, they differ in regards to how business data is described and linked to other business processes. Companies can connect accounting process to email and link invoices to payroll, among other functions, but doing so often involves manually importing data or implementing custom-built applications. However, firms willing to constantly monitor business practices and tweak programs to boost productivity and profitability will have a competitive edge.
http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/sbmanagement/10390560.html

Arming the Mobile Computer Corps
Processor (11/16/07) Vol. 29 , No. 46 , P. 11 ; Rudich, Joe

Mobile computers tend to carry sensitive company data, and they often are used without the appropriate safeguards in place. There are several things small businesses can do to protect data, such as encrypting data so that a password, login, or fingerprint scan is necessary to unlock it. Firms interested in encrypting entire internal or external drives or certain directories should consider software-based encryption. Another option in hardware-based encryption, which is more expensive but offers better performance, does not require updates, and allows drives to be reset without hassle. Drives with hardware-based encryption feature a chipset for real-time encryption and decryption, so add-on encryption software is not necessary. Seagate Technologies and Dell offer laptops with hardware-encrypted drives. In addition to encryption, small firms can safeguard data by prohibiting easy-to-lose thumb drives. Thumb drives were rolled out as a more portable alternative to external hard drives, but the newest external drives are lightweight and compact and offer expanded storage capacity. Firms that allow thumb drives should opt for software-based encryption and let workers know about the risks of data loss associated with such small devices.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P
2946/23p46/23p46.asp&guid=8333C99682C34C378E7C9E4EE3CBFC53

Good News for Professionals Who Want to Work at Home
Wall Street Journal (11/15/07) P. D1 ; Shellenbarger, Sue

Full-time, stay-at-home positions for qualified, dependable individuals are opening up in more U.S. firms. These jobs offer the same benefits given to workers in a corporate office and are made possible by innovations in computer technology, such as laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Rising real-estate prices and a shortage of skilled workers have lowered employer resistance to telecommuting, especially in the fields of computer technology, finance, software development, marketing, and programming. This does not mean, however, companies have reduced their standards of professionalism. "If you say, 'I want to be a telecommuter because I have kids at home,' or 'I need to let my dog out,' it's not going to work," says Tom Valerius, vice president of recruitment services at UnitedHealth in Minnesota. Experts agree the best way to convince an employer to allow workers to telecommute is to have a "hot skill" and be accountable and responsible outside the office, which includes meeting specific performance goals and remaining flexible to attend trainings and meetings when necessary. Nurses recently found their skills in demand among insurers and other firms offering home visits for sick workers or those out on disability.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119507669361593207.html

How Unified Communications Changes Your Business
TMCnet.com (11/12/07) ; Grigonis, Richard

Unifying communications can have a large impact on a business, improving workflow and eventually saving money, especially for the approximately 66 percent of the workforce who do some work out of the office. In order to have a productive unified communication system, a company must design the communications system specifically for how they do business, make sure applications are integrated and have the IT department enable critical features, such as the ability to reset passwords or have secure access control on a shared server. The management software company can help an organization with many of these issues, providing the necessary framework for a successful integrated system. Security is a big concern for many companies, especially with mobile devices that are easily lost or the personal property of employees. A company must ensure that they have the ability to take away access to critical information remotely, in case the device is lost or the employee quits or is fired. The growth of integrated communications has resulted in big changes for call centers. The Calabrio Unified Interaction Suite integrates workforce optimization in a team's workflow, which helps align contact center processes with the objectives of the company. The software allows for multimedia conversations, where an agent can listen both to a caller and their supervisor at the same time or use a chat program while fielding a call. Unified communication software providers are now offering solutions for the integration of mobile workers. The Virtual Assistant program allows users to access a variety of information, including E-mail and contact lists, by using speech commands, allowing workers to get work done while driving. The virtual assistant utilizes an Internet connection to search for information and a phone connection to control and answer calls and make appointments. "During the time they're in their cars, they take risks by playing with their Blackberry, by trying to read what's on the screen, punching keys and so forth," said Gabor Barta, Vice-President at Excendia, the company that developed the Virtual Assistant. "We say that you don't have to do that anymore. You just tell your assistant what you want done and it's taken care of."
http://visualvoicemail.tmcnet.com

The New Road Warrior
Fast Company (11/07/07) No. 120 , P. 67 ; Scoble, Robert

There are several new mobile-phone services workers on the go can use to be more productive. Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo all provide mobile versions of their Internet portals. Meanwhile, Grand Central allows users to manage numerous phone lines, send calls to a phone, and hear messages from any Web browser. Callwave's newest service transforms voice mail into a text message, while Jott lets users call a number, leave a message, and be sent an email with both the audio message and the text in just a few minutes. Fring allows users to employ instant massagers such as Gtalk, ICQ, and Skype over mobile phones, while ShoZhu automatically uploads pictures to several photo-sharing Web sites. Employees who use Excel often can make use of EditGrid to create spreadsheets, and its new iPhone version provides users with completely-featured, 4.8-ounce spreadsheets. Most of the above applications are free, although EditGrid corporate-account users will have to pay a fee. Individuals interested in employing the majority of these applications need a smartphone, such as a newer BlackBerry, an iPhone, or a Nokia N95.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/the-new-road-warrior.html

Online Data Backup Can Save Files
Data Storage Today (11/07) ; Graham, Jefferson

After years of cost-prohibitive pricing and usage problems, consumers are turning to online data backup services to save files. Mozy and Carbonite are meeting this demand by offering unlimited storage for as little as $50 a year. Since offering its online data backup service, Mozy has watched it subscribers increase from 350,000 to 100,000 in early 2006. Carbonite reports a similar surge in subscribers, which at last count was over 100,000. Consumer appreciate online backup because it is off-site and out of harm's way. Roughly 8,000 hours of digital music, 500 hours of videos, and 160,000 photos can be stored on a 500 gigabyte hard drive, according to hard-drive maker Seagate.
http://www.data-storage-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=0020006Y4H
34