Living in a Wired World
Picking the right time to upgrade your technology is critical to your business
Contact The BizQuest Staff
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Small businesses often have an uneasy relationship with technology. Entrepreneurs, as a rule, tend to be the sort of people who are eager to take risks and embrace what's new; but at the same time, they are wary of spending on fancy gadgetry that may or may not be useful in real life. Everyone knows that technology can do wonderful things for improving the performance and efficiency of your business, but most small business owners also know that high-tech tools rarely work exactly as advertised and they often seemingly require a trained computer scientist to get anything done at all.
So the question is, is the time right for your business to invest in high-tech upgrades, and if so, how do you get the most out of your investment?
According to survey results revealed at the National Small Business Administration Conference in Florida last month, many small businesses see the general upturn in the economy as a sign that now is indeed the right time to invest in technology. In that survey, 44% of small business owner respondents said they intended to buy new computer equipment for their workplace during the next year. Popular purchases will include the same range of products and services common in larger corporations: networking equipment, office servers, accounting software, management software, security tools and, of course, new computers themselves.
The problem many small businesses face is that they, quite simply, lack the skills to get the most out of this equipment. Even the smallest offices have a resident "computer genius," but he has his own primary tasks to take care of and, anyway, are you really sure he's such a genius to begin with? Training can be expensive, particularly since technology skills need constant updating, and for most small businesses hiring a devoted network administrator is out of the question. If you're not careful, your expensive new "memory brick" may end up being used as an actual brick within a few months.
For an increasing number of small businesses, the remedy is clear: outsourcing. Because of the above and other factors, experts see a growing market for technology outsourcing. Another study, performed by the Gartner Group, forecasts that outsourcing will represent 59% of all information technology activities by 2005.
However, the same study suggests that traditional outsourcing models, being costly and time-consuming to set up, may not be most appropriate for small businesses. The key to successful small business outsourcing models is to maintain close coordination between the business and the service provider. A good technology services vendor will use its own information technology equipment to facilitate these links, allowing you and your staff to use messaging and other tools to immediately contact the service provider as needed.
The downside to these relationships, as with any consultant relationship, is that your in-house staff may feel threatened and reluctant to cooperate with the perceived outsider. Managing these issues will require patience and sensitivity on your part. But the upside is huge. With a decent technology service provider, your network and individual PCs will function more smoothly, with fewer system crashes, and with reduced security risks. You'll get access to some of the top-notch services and tools available to major corporations, but with costs that you can manage.
Technology Tips
How do you find the right service provider? We suggest the following:
- Don't procrastinate. If you wait until you have a tech emergency, you will be at the mercy of whoever is available, and you may have already done significant damage to your equipment.
- Be clear about your expectations. Although you don't need to become a computer expert, you do need to educate yourself enough to know exactly what you want to get out of your technology and to communicate these desires to the outsourcer.
- Look for flexibility. You want a provider that is dynamic and willing to refine strategy, and whose consultant staff are capable of quickly understanding the needs and culture of your workplace.
- Look beyond the bucks. Particularly with technology support, cheaper is not always better. Buy the products and services that fit most effectively with your needs and goals.
- Finally, rely on referrals and test out the equipment/service before buying it.
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