Archive: September 2005

September 30, 2005

"Honey I Shrunk the PowerPoint"

Microsoft Power Point goes with business meetings like milk goes with cereal. However, unfortunately those PPT files you love to...

September 30, 2005

Buying or Selling BuyerZone Makes Cents

BuyerZone.com, an online marketplace for business purchasing, announced this week that it has registered more than one million businesses...

September 30, 2005

Invoicing Pain Relief with 2ndSite for Business

Invoicing, or the lack thereof is one of the main reasons why smaller businesses don't get paid or paid...

September 30, 2005

Beyond Simple Surveys - Intelligence & Research

Creating and conducting an online survey is pretty easy thanks to survey tools like SurveyMonkey and others. If you have...

September 30, 2005

Book Review: Ambient Findability

In "Ambient Findability" (O'Reilly, US $29.95), Peter Morville searches for the answers in the strange connections between social software,...

September 30, 2005

CA Joins Microsoft's Backup Solution

If you are looking for a Microsoft centric backup solution to go with your Microsoft server, using Microsoft's Data Protection...

September 30, 2005

Book Review: Mining Your Web Site's Intelligence

From O'Reilly - Most companies measure their web activity because they want to know how well their marketing and...

September 30, 2005

Ten-Minute Guide To Deploying VoIP

Thinking of deploying VoIP? It's tougher and more time-consuming than you think. But our ten-minute guide will give you the...

September 29, 2005

No Passwords: New Biometric Fingerprint Card from APC

Instead of typing passwords in to various applications a biometric solution can help reduce the need for remembering passwords but...

September 29, 2005

Online Trade Shows: Don't Fly, Click

ZD Net has launched a series of online trade shows which you might be interested in attending. Unlike traditional trade...

September 29, 2005

Join Me: How to Turn a Social Occasion Into a Business Opportunity

Join me at at the next BDI Supernetworking Event in New York City, How to Turn a Social Occasion...

September 29, 2005

Why Buy A Bulky PC When...

I see so many businesses buy these big black or beige PCs that make lots of noise and look ugly....

September 29, 2005

Essential Computer Backup Strategies

Allbusiness.com has produced a very nice overview of backup strategies for your business' data here...

September 29, 2005

Lenovo's New Z Series ThinkPads

If I had to blindly recommend that someone buy a notebook computer, without hesitation it would be a Thinkpad from...

September 29, 2005

Skype for Windows: Wow.

For those with broadband Internet access there is NO excuse to not try out Skype. Skype is a service that...

September 29, 2005

Using A Wiki For Managing Content

A Wiki is a tool that lets users post content to the Internet but enables anyone to make changes as...

September 28, 2005

Edit.com - Make Web Site Updates Easy

Adding simple content to a web site is not very hard to do thanks to blogging software which lets...

September 28, 2005

How Much Does A Web Site Cost?

I am often asked, "So Ramon, how much does a web site costs". Of course there is NOT one set...

September 28, 2005

Must See: Mobile Printing From HP

HP launched a powerful new Ipaq on Monday with a biometric security feature. It also launched new mobile printer with...

September 28, 2005

Microsoft Launches Data Protection Software

This Microsoft introduced a disk-based backup solution in conjunction with hardware partners. The Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM)...

September 27, 2005

Doc Imaging: Ohio Company Saves $4K/month With Scanning Solution

Document imaging can be of great benefit for businesses that are document intensive and can be a critical component...

September 27, 2005

CompUSA Rewards Businesses

CompUSA is launching a program to reward points to businesses when they buy from CompUSA and allow them to...

September 26, 2005

Does Your Business Have A Digital Spine?

I just finished reading the latest edition of Business Week and its cover story was about people working too...

September 26, 2005

StarOffice Gets More Compatible With MSFT Office

As I wrote earlier today, there will be a growing battle for the desktops of corporate business applications. Microsoft Office...

September 26, 2005

Massachusetts Kicked Out Microsoft: Should You?

In a move that has happened more than once in other countries, but few times in the USA, the State...

September 26, 2005

Palm: It's A Hardware Company Now

Those of you who have been following my personal tech journey via smallbiztechnology.com know that I have been a HUGE...

September 23, 2005

Calling Over the 'Net: Possibly A Pain, But not Hype

I don't share information with you that is mere hype. So after re-reading about a business technologist's experience with VOIP...

September 23, 2005

Making Your Small Business A Big Business With Technology

When you have only 20 people in your company but need to compete with a business that has 200 it...

September 23, 2005

Which One: Security or Ease of Use? (Hint - Both)

Securing our digital infrastructure is so important, however there is a fine line between having a very secure computer,...

September 23, 2005

World Wide WiFi + Dial-Up Service in One

Although WiFi access is not nearly as widely available as many businesses would like, it is growing in use and...

September 23, 2005

Opera's Web Browser Is So Nice: A Must Download

Wow. I dumped Microsoft's Internet Explorer for Mozilla FireFox a few months ago. Today I downloaded the Opera web browser...

September 22, 2005

Laser and MFD: Dell Will Do More Printers

Reuters reports that Dell said it plans to shift its printer focus to laser and multifunction devices, and away from...

September 22, 2005

Key Words That Lead People to Smallbiztechnology.com

I am looking through my web logs and find it VERY interesting the keywords people type in search engines that...

September 21, 2005

Microsoft Office Like You've Never Seen it Before

Not surprisingly 9 out of 10 people who use Microsoft Office have no clue that it can do more than...

September 21, 2005

Your Computer (Files, Programs, Email+) On A USB Drive

I've written about Forward Solutions Migo, software embedded in a USB key that lets you take your computer with you....

September 20, 2005

Get Broadband Via A Satellite

Many smaller businesses are snapping up broadband connections, however, there are many more businesses who do not yet have broadband....

September 20, 2005

VoIP Industry Getting 'Busy Signals' from Small / Medium Businesses (SMBs)

A study of 300 SMB decision makers, and an analysis of the product and pricing strategies of major VoIP providers,...

September 20, 2005

Free Wireless Protection from Google and AirDefense

Google and AirDefense announced two free tools to protect wireless users. Google's tool encrypts your wireless communications so that hackers...

September 20, 2005

Cisco Re-Packages Offerings for Smaller Business

Networking solutions are relatively easy to get as so many vendors sell networking hardware solutions. The challenge is often...

September 20, 2005

Opera Web Browser is FREE. Check it out

I have been using Mozilla's free FireFox web browser for many months now and only using Microsoft's Internet Explorer...

September 20, 2005

Sprint's New Smart Device - Power Mobile Users Will Like It

Sprint's new smart device, the PPC-6700, warrants enough attention that power mobile users should have a look at it....

September 19, 2005

Dell Uses Verizon for New Notebook

Since businesses want to ensure they can be connected wherever they are, computer vendors are building high-speed wireless connectivity via...

September 19, 2005

Home Office: How To Improve Your Wireless Networking Signal

When putting up a wireless network in your home office, you might find that the signal is great in some...

September 19, 2005

Web Mail Services: More Powerful

Thanks to a slew of new programming tools, online email services like Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail are getting better and...

September 19, 2005

Let Them Use Cell Phones: Down With PDAs?

Although statistics show that cell phones are more popular than PDAs, this figure is NOT completely accurate. Cell phones, of...

September 19, 2005

Microsoft Licensing Policy Changes: Good for Microsoft or the Customer?

I've never gone into the depths of Microsoft's licensing policies but I know that in this case there's pretty much...

September 16, 2005

Web Traffic Analysis - So Important

For several years now I've been using FreeStats.com's paid version of their web traffic analysis tool. Before that I...

September 16, 2005

Give Each Client & Partner Their Own Portal

I've been going through the web site of ClientPortals and while the web site could do a lot better explaining...

September 16, 2005

ClearMyMail - Hosted Anti-Spam Solution

I've been using DigiPortals ChoiceMail for several months now and it's "block every email unless accepted" process keeps my 100%...

September 16, 2005

Are You Doomed if Your IT Consultant Quits?

I got this email from Equinox Technology Services, Inc., a Microsoft Certified Partner and New York City-based IT consulting firm...

September 15, 2005

Book Review: Data-Driven Business Models

I've been reading through Alan Weber's "Data-Driven Business Models" and recommend you have a look at it if you want...

September 15, 2005

Seagate Buys Mirra - Jump Over Maxtor and Western Digital

Hard drive manufacturers must innovate to push their businesses beyond hard disks. Vendors have exterior drives, internal drives, USB based...

September 15, 2005

AOL: Businesses Should Run From It

AOL is a great tool for consumers, especially those who need hand holding. But the phone call I had yesterday...

September 15, 2005

Tim Berry: The Man Behind Business Plan Pro from Palo Alto Software

Palo Alto Software is not a software publisher, Tim Berry explained to me earlier this week. While Palo Alto's...

September 15, 2005

Should You Switch to VOIP: Here's Some Help in Deciding

Using the Internet to receive and make telephone calls is gaining in popularity but for smaller businesses, as with many...

September 14, 2005

Xerox - Simple, Fast, Cheap

Xerox has launched a new printer, the black and white Phaser 3500. It's ideal for networks and prints up...

September 14, 2005

Salesforce.com - Making The Internet An Operating System

Salesforce.com is best known for its desire to want to get rid of software on the PC and do...

September 14, 2005

Lexmark's Built in CD Printer

The next tim you want to print photos, don't bother going to your PC. Lexmark'snewest printer, the P450, although geared...

September 14, 2005

"Bill Me Later": No Credit Cards for Etailers

While credit cards are very popular, there are many who a) don't have credit cards or b) don't want to...

September 14, 2005

Email: Be Careful What You Send

It is VERY good to use email as a powerful marketing tool, for newsletters and other things. However, you...

September 13, 2005

Tim Berry, Founder Palo Alto Software (Business Plan Pro) Speaks Out

My mother (and I'm sure your mother) taught me to share. If you have a two pieces of candy,...

September 13, 2005

More on Microsoft's New Strategy

I've covered this already, but the WSJ has a small write up, which you might want to read. It reads...

September 12, 2005

Book Review: Search - How Google Succeeded

Google is so much more than "just another search engine" it is THE search engine in many respects. Built...

September 12, 2005

Exclusive - SMBNation Coverage

SMBNation is the premier event for computer consultants who sell Microsoft's wildly popular Small Business Server (SBS). SBS is...

September 12, 2005

Behind the Scenes: A Look into Dell's CEO

You'll find a personal and professional profile of Kevin Rollin's, Dell's CEO in the NY Times. [end post]...

September 12, 2005

Gap.com Gets An Overhaul - What About Your Web Site?

The Gap has shut down the web sits of Old Navy, Banana Republic and the Gap in an apparently successful...

September 12, 2005

AMI: IP Telephony Grows in the SMB Space

AMI Partners writes - Although U.S. small and medium businesses significantly increased their use of IP telephony solutions over the...

September 12, 2005

Thumb Drives: Tiny and Insecure Data Storage

Although thumb drives are great for storing data, you must be careful that your data is safe. Kim Komando gives...

September 12, 2005

Microsoft Strategically Reaches Out to Accountants

Every small business might not have a computer consultant but just about every small business has an accountant. Microsoft, and...

September 12, 2005

Surveys: Get Insight from Your Customers

Over the past several days, I've been using SurveyMonkey to create a survey. Overall it's easy to use and simple....

September 12, 2005

Online Fraud - From NY City to Iowa. We're all Affected

Online fraud is not something that only happens to nerds or the media elite of New York City. It's a...

September 12, 2005

Ditch AOL: You Have No Excuse To NOT Have a Domain Name

There's many business who still have AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail or some other free email account as their primary email address....

September 12, 2005

When Moving Files Keep Broken Links In Tact

If you are moving hundreds and thousands of files around and are rightfully worried about links being broken there...

September 12, 2005

Backing Up Your Data the Smart Way

NY Times writer David Progue writes that backing up is one thing, but making sure you back up the RIGHT...

September 12, 2005

The Wal-Mart-ization of Dell.com

Dell started selling one thing: computers. It now sells computers, servers, support/installation services, printers, mobile devices and hundreds of accessories....

September 12, 2005

Book Review: Controlling PC Pests

O'Rielly writes about their newest book: For everyone who is sick of feeling victimized by hackers, viruses, worms, spam,...

September 12, 2005

Microsoft's Push for Mid-Size Businesses

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced a series of new programs which renews its focus on the mid-size business market. This...

September 12, 2005

PC Tools a Sweet Suite

PC Tools, based in Australia offers your business a suite of security products to protect your computer environment. Many...

September 12, 2005

SMBNation - Microsoft's Love Fest With Partners

I've been at SMBNation for the past two days and am simply amazed at the breadth of courting they're doing...

September 12, 2005

Leveraging Technology For Remote Workers

As you build your business, you'll find that one of the most important things you need is great employees. Many...

September 12, 2005

Gateway's New Notebook With Pen Computing

Gateway recently announced the launch of its latest notebook for small businesses, the S-7200N which combines pen computing capabilities...

September 12, 2005

Making Tech Easier With Centralized Management

Having one computer makes it easy to manage everything on the computer. However, when you have 10, 30 or 50...

September 9, 2005

You Need More Than Anti-Virus

Don't rely only on anti-virus solutions to protect your business. Silicon.com writes Security vendor Sophos has warned companies not to...

September 9, 2005

SMBNation is ROCKING: SMB consultants are learning.

This is the first full day of SMBNation and it is completely awesome. You can read the full SMBNation agenda...

September 8, 2005

Solutions For Outdated Technology

Joe Connolly writes Here's an issue at some businesses: outdated technology. There can be cost considerations, but generational clashes can...

September 8, 2005

Inside Text 100: Tech PR Firm

Today, before registering for SMBNation, a conference for consultants selling Microsoft's Small Business Server, I stopped by the Seattle offices...

September 8, 2005

SMBNation - Showing Vendors How to Sell to SMBs

I've just finished hearing Harry Brelsford educate a group of vendors, exhibiting at his annual SMB Nation, in how to...

September 7, 2005

Microsoft's SMB Accounting Push: Intuit, Sage in the Cross Hairs

Today Microsoft is launching Small Business Accounting 2006. Doug Leland, general manager of small business for the SMS&P group (small,...

September 7, 2005

Doug Leland, GM of SMB, MSFT on MSFT Small Biz Accounting

AT 4:30PM EST read the latest news, here, on the launch of Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2006 and my interview...

September 7, 2005

Special Web Sites for Handheld Screens

The average web site is perfect for a large computer screen but reeks havoc on the tiny screen of...

September 7, 2005

Sharp's New Notebook: Long Battery Life + Perfect Weight

Sharp Systems latest notebook computer, the M4000 weighs 3.7lbs and has a battery that lasts over 6 hours. Impressive...

September 7, 2005

Microsoft Releases New Hardware: Keyboards & Mice

I've used Microsoft's Natural Keyboard for years and the first day I used it, it really made my computing...

September 6, 2005

ACT! 2006 - Contact Management For High-Impact Relationships

ACT!, produced by Sage, releases ACT! 2006 today, offering a stream of new features. Launched in 1987 and now...

September 6, 2005

Interview: Doug Meyer, President SMB, Sage Software on Microsoft Small Business Accounting

As Microsoft gets ready to raise the curtain on its 7 September release of Microsoft Small Business Accounting product, it's...

September 6, 2005

Book Review: 7 Essential Steps to Successful eBay Marketing

Selling on eBay is easy. You have something to sell and in a few minutes you can list it...

September 6, 2005

Katrina Business Victims: Back Up Data Saves Many

I'm sure there are many business's in New Orleans (and all over the world) who have not back up their...

September 4, 2005

1&1 Web Host: Lower Prices, Targets GoDaddy & Yahoo

Web Host 1&1, known for its multi-page advertisements, touting its very low costing web hosting services has gone one better...

September 2, 2005

Sony's New Business Notebooks

Sony introduced its latest line of business Vaio notebooks earlier this week stressing: Better support/warranties, more expandability, better security...

September 2, 2005

New Backup Solution: SpareBackup.com

There are MANY online backup solutions on the market, with one of the newest being SpareBackup from Newport International...

September 2, 2005

Gateway: Desktops and PCs for Business

Yesterday, Gateway announced a new line of PCs and notebooks optimized for small businesses. This follows Sony's announcement of their...

September 2, 2005

Check IT List: Choosing the right remote-access VPN

A VPN (virtual private network) is important when you want to securely access server files. SearchSMB.com has a check list...

September 2, 2005

CRM Choice; Salesforce.com vs Entellium

CRM provider, Entellium is touting a customer "win" taken from Salesforce.com. Keep in mind that the product you buy must...

September 2, 2005

Cell Phone Backup: Using Your PC To Make Phone Calls

When cell phone coverage is not working so well, remember, that with the right technology you can use your PC...

September 1, 2005

Hosted Customer Support Solution

Small Business Computing writes You'd be hard pressed to find a more time-consuming, yet vital, business issue than customer support....

September 1, 2005

Keeping Up With Tech, Not New Tech, Key

The NJ Star-Ledger writes Experts say there is no major revolution just around the corner to rival cell phones, e-mail...