Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Technology Adjusting to Success of Small-to-Midsize Businesses
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 by Matt Hymel
As the economy suffers, companies big and small are forced to
cut budgets and focus on cost-effective technology and IT services.
There is no surprise, then, that consumers must be smarter spenders
and turn toward reliable, trusting products.
In this case, we can apply the mindset to consumers and small
businesses. The fact is that some individuals or groups have been
"forced" into entrepreneurship, making a living off a service or
product that they can provide at a low expense to their own
personal endeavors.
This means the integration of consumer and business technology,
a movement toward a sleek, up-to-date piece of hardware with
software that the user has become familiar with or provides
personal and professional levels of beneficial options.
Take Google's service, Gmail, for example. Many small businesses
will set up a couple accounts specifically for their internal and
external communication. Although Google Wave still hasn't
been tidal-worthy, its collaboration and real-time features are
especially useful for small companies who are constantly on the go
or in need of immediate internal feedback.
In an article over at ZDnet.com, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have all pitted
themselves in the small business PC market with respectable pieces
of technology:
Dell's Vostro line - Mix of form,
functionality, and service, while the important feature is the
stress on available service for business problems
HP - Uniquely pitching financing options, this
new line of mobile professional assistants boast DayStarter,
allowing you to view your calendar before Windows starts up
Lenovo - As recently as Sunday, the new ThinkPad Edge
series is designed and priced specifically for SMBs, focusing its
IdeaPad and ThinkPad strengths into one device
A good term that the writer uses that best describes both the
technology and the mindset of the small business owner is
"consumer-SMB crossover." With an ever growing focus on mobile,
cloud storage, and integrated access platforms, the very
applications and hardware being used by consumers have proven
valuable in a business setting, and sometimes vice versa.
When you think about it, these PC vendors are attempting to make
the transition easier from one set of historically-built technology
to another without 'upsetting' your consumer needs and
simultaneously maximizing business options and efficiency.
Until next time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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