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Technology And 21st Century Small Business Owners

When I received my marketing degree 10 years ago, the coursework did not include classes for the types of marketing media that are available today. Having a website then was not as important as it is today. Although we had computer classes, how to design and build a website wasn’t included in the syllabus. How to create effective e-mail marketing campaigns and design e-newsletters were not being taught. The choice of marketing strategies 10 years ago included distributing fliers, word of mouth, radio and television advertising, posting ads in newspapers, Yellow Page listings, and sales letters. Technology has changed how 21st Century small business owners (SBO) market their products and services, as well as their options of communication tools.

Nowadays, 21st Century small business owners marketing strategies include e-mail marketing campaigns, e-newsletters, Google AdWords, writing articles and blogs, participating in target markets forums, and online networking, to name a few. However, word of mouth is yet the most effective and efficient marketing medium. If a small company has a large enough budget, some of the marketing strategies and media of yesterday can still be used. Technology, however, has leveled the playing field. Small business owners have the option of online marketing, which is less costly than the traditional offline methods.

Technology has also changed how businesses communicate. Ten years ago, the only choices were snail mail, fax machines, and telephones. Now, a 21st Century small business or large corporation choices include Skype, e-mail, digital computer camera (webcam), teleconference or virtual meetings, video e-mails, Instant Messaging (IM), GoToMeeting, and GoToMyPC. Skype is software that allows you to use the Internet, headset or speakers, and a microphone to place phones calls around the world. With e-mail software, documents can be sent between recipients as e-mail attachments. Webcam and the Internet are used to perform teleconferences or virtual meetings between two or several people. Webcam is also used for creating videos for video e-mails. IM is real-time conversation between two or more people using typed text and the Internet. Yahoo and MSN provide the software for instant messaging capabilities. 21st Century small business owners have the ability to schedule and attend online meetings with GoToMeeting software and the Internet. Using GoToMyPC, a business owner is able to access his or her PC from anywhere with a web browser or wireless device. In addition, if the owner has a virtual administrative assistant who needs to access his or her desktop to perform certain administrative tasks, the assistant would be able to with GoToMyPC software.

Thus, technology has made it possible for SBO to have administrative assistance without the person being present in their offices. These administrative assistants are known as Virtual Assistants. Technology allows administrative assistants to provide their services virtually. Virtual assistants are business owners also; therefore, they are able to anticipate the business owner’s needs, which make the working relationship beneficial and viable.

Technology has provided 21st Century small business owners with the ability to operate similarly to large corporations. Now SBO can afford to market their products and services. In addition, their budget can accommodate retaining the services of a Virtual Assistant, which will cost less than hiring an onsite administrative assistant. In the last 10 years there have been a lot of changes in how 21st Century small business owners conduct marketing, as well as the choices of communication tools that are available due to technology.

Tags: 21st, Business, Century, Owners, Small, Technology

The Top 12 Technology Mistakes Small Business Make And How To Avoid Them

Have you ever had that ominous hunch that something bad is going to happen – and then it does? Unfortunately, this gut-wrenching feeling is far-too-familiar for small businesses facing the complexity of information technology.

By its nature, IT is a confusing, expensive and forever-changing animal. Hardware and software sometimes becomes obsolete within months, let alone a few years. And thanks to budget restraints, many small businesses fall into lethal traps like hiring inexperienced personnel to handle their IT. But it only takes a single mistake to lead to a catastrophic loss of company data, and starting over can be heartbreaking.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many ways small business owners can learn from the mistakes of others. As a veteran IT professional on the front lines each day, I’ve listed the top twelve most common errors that small businesses make with IT.

Mistake #1: Using non-functional back-up software

Many small business owners assume that just because hardware or software is present, data itself is protected. This is a terrible assumption. Just because a server has an appendage that looks like a tape spooler attached doesn’t mean that tape spooler is actually working. At a bare minimum, small businesses should perform regular testing on backup software every two months. It is far more costly to recover lost data than perform the proper testing of backup systems.

Mistake #2: Using mass-market equipment to run business-class tasks

Using mass market equipment to run business operations is a fatal error in judgment. That $49 router from Best Buy will simply not perform like a commercial-level one will. The products created for business are expensive because they’re designed to keep a company up and running at all times. Many small business owners cut corners just to keep their budgets down, but using inappropriate equipment can cause an extraordinary loss of manpower and resources.

Mistake #3: Overextending the technology lifecycle

That five-year-old PC your receptionist is using probably won’t hurt your business when it dies. But if the 10-year-old server under her desk does, it can cripple your entire company. All technology has a set lifecycle. Manufacturers call this life cycle MTBF, or mean time between failures. Any IT person worth their salt can see how many errors hardware or a server is making and judge when it needs to be replaced. Servers and PC hardware, in general, have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. This lifespan depends on how much this equipment is used, but if you’re not backing up your IT elements or replacing them often enough, you should start by doing it now.

Mistake #4: Having a “set it and forget it” mentality

This is perhaps the most common error small businesses make when building their technology infrastructure. Make no mistake: IT hardware and software requires routine regular maintenance and adjustment. Think of your IT infrastructure as you would an automobile. If you forget to put oil in your car, your engine will die. Servers and software need continual care so they can perform at optimal levels. As a small business, you should hire someone who can see the Big Picture. If you don’t, the question becomes not if you’ll have a problem, but when.

Mistake #5: Buying new software while skipping hardware upgrades

This problem stems from the over-marketing of new upgrades from software manufactures. Each company wants you to upgrade to the latest version of software — some even make it impossible for you to function without these upgrades. But many of the newer software platforms require you to upgrade your hardware simultaneously. Many small business owners upgrade their software without even thinking about the hardware, which may not only impact other systems, but cause catastrophic performance problems for your overall IT ecosystem.

Mistake #6: Going cheap, regardless of the consequences

Everyone knows that IT — from new software to hardware implementation — is expensive. But not too many small business owners know why. IT elements often cost more because they require a migration from another system or the completion of complex tasks to work optimally. Unfortunately, this is why small businesses, time and again, find themselves in an untenable situation: they choose the cheapest software only to find that some extraordinarily important piece is not included in the purchase. So conduct your due diligence. Buying IT equipment is just like buying a house – and you should only be comfortable when quality workmanship is involved.

Mistake #7: Forgoing user training

This is a problem that’s less about equipment and more about human nature. Training is an absolute must for small businesses. Without the proper training on software or hardware, well-intentioned equipment purchases are useless. Small business owners should train their employees on all IT elements whenever possible. A well-trained staff and a solid set of IT equipment will save your company time, money and plenty of headaches. Preserve your investment by keeping staffers up to speed.

Mistake #8: Working without a plan

Planning out IT initiatives or upgrades is a task that should be done, at the bare minimum, once a year. Many companies do this annually just to line up their equipment with pending corporate initiatives. This is a great practice. Mapping out your technology path can impact your entire business. Each small business should not only budget for new hardware, software upgrades or other technological elements, but for additional manpower and technical support. If you plan ahead, that software upgrade or mandatory hardware migration will no longer jump out from nowhere.

Mistake #9: Skimping on security

If you do one thing after reading this article, it should be this: take your security seriously. Many small businesses find it inconceivable that someone would target their business or try to steal their valuable data. Unfortunately, this is the furthest from the truth. Security has become the number one issue for IT environments in the past few years, thanks to online scams, vulnerability in software and networks using improper architecture. As an IT expert, I’ve come across small business systems that are so vulnerable, their accounting data is readily available on the Internet. Other systems have no anti-virus software or no malware protection, but plenty of insidious spy ware working overtime, capturing everything from login names to passwords. At some small businesses, I’ve seen criminals use open ports to hack into security camera footage — just to plan a robbery. Spam, malware and viruses pave the way for a devastating security breach. Don’t let it happen to you.

Mistake # 10: Using under-qualified people for IT support

On its face, leaving a friend, neighbor or relative in charge of your IT is not necessarily a bad move. But assuming they’re capable of such responsibility just because they can download and install software is. An under-qualified person can never give you good IT advice. Because they’ve fallen into this trap, many small businesses actually end up spending more money just to correct the mistakes of an under-qualified IT person. If you need outside support for your IT environment, always ask for certification and credentials. A good IT person is always trained and certified to work within the complexities of an IT environment.

Mistake #11: Not knowing what you have?

Ever wonder what’s in your IT room? Well, you should. Sometimes small business owners are so busy running their shops that they forget to count their software licenses or keep inventory of how many PCs they have. While countless businesses played it fast and loose years ago, one can’t afford to do that now. Strict asset management requirements – straight from the U.S. government – demand that you keep tabs of what you own. The companies of today that wave off asset management may find themselves unable to get a loan or other financing. Asset management is critical. Conducting your first inventory, especially if you’ve been in business for some time, may be an expensive task. But it will save you much heartache in the long run.

Mistake #12: Using pirated software

Software licensing rules can seem quite unfair. Many small business owners wonder why they should purchase more copies of software when they can simply use one for all their machines. With older software, you could probably get away with this. But with today’s ultra-sophisticated software, it’s simply a losing bet. Some software companies are cracking down so hard that when you download updates, it alerts them when the software has been used more than once. A company can disable your software completely at just the click of a mouse. Even worse, you could end up facing fines of upwards of $100,000 from the Business Software Alliance. Keep your software licenses up to date and you’ll never find yourself in this situation.

Many of the problems tackled here can easily be remedied by using a qualified IT professional. Many IT companies now provide flexible, affordable packages that cover maintenance, support and the overall health of your IT environment. So take your time and do your homework. Plan ahead, spend wisely and hire qualified personnel. The money you spend on IT in the short run may feel like an incredible investment at the time, but it most certainly will pay off in the end.

Tags: Avoid, Business, Mistakes, Small, Technology, Them.

Wenzhou Shoe Technology Upgrade Problems

Go to Dubai buy the dips, to buy property in Hainan, Shanxi fried to coal. 2009 China GDP “Paul 8″ successful, give a satisfactory answer to Wenzhou, the coastal capital, represented by the left and right protrusion, fame. Behind a series of dazzling movement of capital, their real intention is to upgrade, are already competing to improve the technology of the situation. Perhaps the next sample of the Chinese economy has emerged in the coastal areas. 2010, the central economic recovery will be very complex way.

As the most sensitive areas of private capital, Wenzhou, Chongqing, the capital approach can be used as reference for the whole country. Wenzhou renowned economist Professor Ma Jinlong said that this was a turning point in the history of temperature and business. To tide over this pass, even outsiders still call them “speculators”, but they have begun moving to the entrepreneurs.

Change is not easy. Wenzhou Pubei gather a group of low-end footwear, including a shoe factory owner Chao Chi said he did not intend to upgrade technology, “a year to sell more than 50 million pairs of shoes, take a few million to upgrade plant, if failure a year’s income failed to be implemented. “So saying, he pointed across the road about 300 meters around a plant, said,” That family has spent 500 thousand last year engaged in upgrading, take up excess liquidity, then high interest only loans through. I guarded the plant now, buy a big deal to design layout. ” Zhao Zhi concerns, the idea represents the part of merchants.

Rich Lee on behalf of the happy drunk 48 glasses of wine, but start talking about the original is still emotionally difficult. “We have a few shareholders, in the hotel room package quarrel, quarreled for three days.” Lee said on behalf of the rich, and some think that to change jobs, and some that want to upgrade, as well as claims and other companies combined. Finally, they concluded that the monthly investment, and gradually technological transformation. “His change is not enough, also involved in supporting enterprise.” Lee said on behalf of the rich, for example, gave us the matching container manufacturers in the past can easily find welders, now to die, to be held by the welder technician permit, under certain conditions welding, and even the air humidity are required.

“Many companies fail to complete the standard, or follow our technical innovation, or for others.”Indeed affect the whole body. “Xu, president of Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce of Chongqing, said the snow, on the coast of this matching developed areas, any machine manufacturer’s technical change, the outcome would be a change in the industrial chain. Supporting not only the upstream manufacturers selling to the downstream end as well.

New product launch, sales of terminals to be re-trained sales staff, building sales channels need to establish a wider network. ???? The famous shoe-making machinery factory in Wenzhou Hongye Precision Machinery Manager Outlook on all that foreign influence by Western culture, like to go straight, do not like to work overtime, work unflinchingly. They have the ability, but they are than the “Hanshin” There are a subordinate character, as a coastal boss, can do a good job as magnanimous, “Liu Bang”, which is they need to face new problems.Technology upgrade brings integration.

Agricultural Bank of China account of the market in Wenzhou, the largest of its city branch president said Huang Yi Qiao, technology upgrades and loan, a collateral is not enough, so we integrate out some of his peers. He said the current number of small and medium sized steel enterprises in Wenzhou, prepare the merger, several shoemaking SMEs, as well as do bags, and talking about the merger. “Not only that, but also attract a lot of Wenzhou businessmen returning from abroad.” Huang Yi Qiao said that the temperature development in the Mainland and commercial enterprises, have returned to set up representative offices or research and development in Wenzhou.

Tags: Problems, Shoe, Technology, Upgrade, Wenzhou

Get a Biomedical Equipment Technology Degree through Scholarships for Dads Program

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is a job that repairs medical equipments such as patient monitors and medical imaging equipments and so on. This job also does preventive maintenance to most medical equipment used in hospital and clinics. In short, they are needed to make sure the hospital can run smoothly. You can be a BMET too if you avail of the scholarship for the dad program.

This field of work can be studied as an associate in the biomedical equipment technician. The bachelor’s degree program will produce a biomedical equipment engineer. So the first one is studied for two years, while the latter four years and can proceed to higher education. However, the job is relatively the same, while the pay differs greatly but still satisfying financially.

Dads whose been wondering which career to switch to in this economic upheaval, can turn to this job. It only takes two years to study an associate degree. And with a scholarship for the dad program he is sure to be able to study this field. The scholarship has a $10,000 allowance yearly, so since he has no job today this money helps.

There’s a bright future in store for a family man who can successfully finish as BMET. This is because the job is in demand everywhere, even to rural areas in this country. And if he wants to relocate his family to a more affordable place, a job for him as BMET waits. The projection of such a job is to rise 27% by 2018, so he can’t ever be out of work again.

So all he needs to do now is to check with medical schools accredited to accept an applicant under scholarship for the dad program. Minimum educational attainment to be accepted as a student is a high school graduate. Even if he graduated years ago; he can still be eligible as long as he passed admission tests and interview.

Unfortunately, this program can’t be taken online. Obviously, one needs to be physically present when studying for repairs and maintenance of equipment. So he has to be a full-time student for two years. Besides there’s an allowance as a scholar so this should help with his financial needs.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Biomedical, Dads, Degree, Equipment, Program, Scholarships, Technology, Through

Get a Biomedical Equipment Technology Degree through Scholarships for Dads Program

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is a job that repairs medical equipments such as patient monitors and medical imaging equipments and so on. This job also does preventive maintenance to most medical equipment used in hospital and clinics. In short, they are needed to make sure the hospital can run smoothly. You can be a BMET too if you avail of the scholarship for the dad program.

This field of work can be studied as an associate in the biomedical equipment technician. The bachelor’s degree program will produce a biomedical equipment engineer. So the first one is studied for two years, while the latter four years and can proceed to higher education. However, the job is relatively the same, while the pay differs greatly but still satisfying financially.

Dads whose been wondering which career to switch to in this economic upheaval, can turn to this job. It only takes two years to study an associate degree. And with a scholarship for the dad program he is sure to be able to study this field. The scholarship has a $10,000 allowance yearly, so since he has no job today this money helps.

There’s a bright future in store for a family man who can successfully finish as BMET. This is because the job is in demand everywhere, even to rural areas in this country. And if he wants to relocate his family to a more affordable place, a job for him as BMET waits. The projection of such a job is to rise 27% by 2018, so he can’t ever be out of work again.

So all he needs to do now is to check with medical schools accredited to accept an applicant under scholarship for the dad program. Minimum educational attainment to be accepted as a student is a high school graduate. Even if he graduated years ago; he can still be eligible as long as he passed admission tests and interview.

Unfortunately, this program can’t be taken online. Obviously, one needs to be physically present when studying for repairs and maintenance of equipment. So he has to be a full-time student for two years. Besides there’s an allowance as a scholar so this should help with his financial needs.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Biomedical, Dads, Degree, Equipment, Program, Scholarships, Technology, Through

Get a Biomedical Equipment Technology Degree through Scholarships for Dads Program

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is a job that repairs medical equipments such as patient monitors and medical imaging equipments and so on. This job also does preventive maintenance to most medical equipment used in hospital and clinics. In short, they are needed to make sure the hospital can run smoothly. You can be a BMET too if you avail of the scholarship for the dad program.

This field of work can be studied as an associate in the biomedical equipment technician. The bachelor’s degree program will produce a biomedical equipment engineer. So the first one is studied for two years, while the latter four years and can proceed to higher education. However, the job is relatively the same, while the pay differs greatly but still satisfying financially.

Dads whose been wondering which career to switch to in this economic upheaval, can turn to this job. It only takes two years to study an associate degree. And with a scholarship for the dad program he is sure to be able to study this field. The scholarship has a $10,000 allowance yearly, so since he has no job today this money helps.

There’s a bright future in store for a family man who can successfully finish as BMET. This is because the job is in demand everywhere, even to rural areas in this country. And if he wants to relocate his family to a more affordable place, a job for him as BMET waits. The projection of such a job is to rise 27% by 2018, so he can’t ever be out of work again.

So all he needs to do now is to check with medical schools accredited to accept an applicant under scholarship for the dad program. Minimum educational attainment to be accepted as a student is a high school graduate. Even if he graduated years ago; he can still be eligible as long as he passed admission tests and interview.

Unfortunately, this program can’t be taken online. Obviously, one needs to be physically present when studying for repairs and maintenance of equipment. So he has to be a full-time student for two years. Besides there’s an allowance as a scholar so this should help with his financial needs.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Biomedical, Dads, Degree, Equipment, Program, Scholarships, Technology, Through

Get a Biomedical Equipment Technology Degree through Scholarships for Dads Program

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is a job that repairs medical equipments such as patient monitors and medical imaging equipments and so on. This job also does preventive maintenance to most medical equipment used in hospital and clinics. In short, they are needed to make sure the hospital can run smoothly. You can be a BMET too if you avail of the scholarship for the dad program.

This field of work can be studied as an associate in the biomedical equipment technician. The bachelor’s degree program will produce a biomedical equipment engineer. So the first one is studied for two years, while the latter four years and can proceed to higher education. However, the job is relatively the same, while the pay differs greatly but still satisfying financially.

Dads whose been wondering which career to switch to in this economic upheaval, can turn to this job. It only takes two years to study an associate degree. And with a scholarship for the dad program he is sure to be able to study this field. The scholarship has a $10,000 allowance yearly, so since he has no job today this money helps.

There’s a bright future in store for a family man who can successfully finish as BMET. This is because the job is in demand everywhere, even to rural areas in this country. And if he wants to relocate his family to a more affordable place, a job for him as BMET waits. The projection of such a job is to rise 27% by 2018, so he can’t ever be out of work again.

So all he needs to do now is to check with medical schools accredited to accept an applicant under scholarship for the dad program. Minimum educational attainment to be accepted as a student is a high school graduate. Even if he graduated years ago; he can still be eligible as long as he passed admission tests and interview.

Unfortunately, this program can’t be taken online. Obviously, one needs to be physically present when studying for repairs and maintenance of equipment. So he has to be a full-time student for two years. Besides there’s an allowance as a scholar so this should help with his financial needs.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Biomedical, Dads, Degree, Equipment, Program, Scholarships, Technology, Through

Get a Biomedical Equipment Technology Degree through Scholarships for Dads Program

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is a job that repairs medical equipments such as patient monitors and medical imaging equipments and so on. This job also does preventive maintenance to most medical equipment used in hospital and clinics. In short, they are needed to make sure the hospital can run smoothly. You can be a BMET too if you avail of the scholarship for the dad program.

This field of work can be studied as an associate in the biomedical equipment technician. The bachelor’s degree program will produce a biomedical equipment engineer. So the first one is studied for two years, while the latter four years and can proceed to higher education. However, the job is relatively the same, while the pay differs greatly but still satisfying financially.

Dads whose been wondering which career to switch to in this economic upheaval, can turn to this job. It only takes two years to study an associate degree. And with a scholarship for the dad program he is sure to be able to study this field. The scholarship has a $10,000 allowance yearly, so since he has no job today this money helps.

There’s a bright future in store for a family man who can successfully finish as BMET. This is because the job is in demand everywhere, even to rural areas in this country. And if he wants to relocate his family to a more affordable place, a job for him as BMET waits. The projection of such a job is to rise 27% by 2018, so he can’t ever be out of work again.

So all he needs to do now is to check with medical schools accredited to accept an applicant under scholarship for the dad program. Minimum educational attainment to be accepted as a student is a high school graduate. Even if he graduated years ago; he can still be eligible as long as he passed admission tests and interview.

Unfortunately, this program can’t be taken online. Obviously, one needs to be physically present when studying for repairs and maintenance of equipment. So he has to be a full-time student for two years. Besides there’s an allowance as a scholar so this should help with his financial needs.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Biomedical, Dads, Degree, Equipment, Program, Scholarships, Technology, Through

Cole Haan Juno Features Burnished Calfskin With Custom Grommets and NIKE AIR Technology For Supreme Cushioning

Mens Nike Air Cole Haan Shoes

Just like the Cole Haan line of womens shoes are exquisite, the mens are most fashionable as well. There is a full line of the Cole Haan Nike shoes for men and both in casual wear as well as dress.

A good example of this, when it comes to the casual shoe, is the mens Cole Haan Air Dempsey Venetian casual shoe. These particular shoes are available in the light brown or black. They are constructed with the famous Nike air technology, which affords the extra comfort which goes along with the Cole Haan shoes. Along with the way these shoes are manufactured and the Nike technology combined with the craftsmanship, is what makes this line of shoe so special.

A very comfortable and well sought after pair of shoes is the Cole Haan Air Mens Emmerson slip-on. These particular shoes, have a higher upper piece than some of the others, although they are made with a soft leather in this area for comfort. They are also known for ease of getting them on, and again they are made with the Nike air and the rubber sole, which gives a great benefit when it comes to absorbing the shock of everyday walking.

It has to be remembered that the Cole Haan line of shoes has been in business for over 80 years. They are shipped to all parts of the United States and can be purchased from many superior online stores, carrying quality shoe wear. Back in the 20s, when the Cole Haan shoes first came out for men, they were considered to be the most upper-class of shoes, which a gentleman could own. It spoke of quality and good taste, when an individual would choose a pair of the Cole Haan shoes. As time progressed, and Nike came out with their technology, it wasn’t long before Cole Haan took the opportunity to utilize this in their shoe-making. It obviously was an excellent move, as it increased the value of the mens Nike Air Cole Haan shoes dramatically.

Although we’ve mentioned a couple of very popular Cole Haan Air Nike shoes, the air Owen Venetian casual shoe must be mentioned as well. This particular shoe comes in the standard black or brown. Many people will use these, not just as only a casual pair of shoes, but men will also enjoy wearing them for a more formal setting.

There probably isn’t a man who would not be able to find a pair of Mens Nike Air Cole Haan Shoes which suit his requirements. It doesn’t matter whether it is for casual or dress, either way, they are the most comfortable pair of shoes to wear.

It would seem that all of the shoes found within the Cole Haan line both mens and womens are well recognized in the fashion world and well worth owning. There is no flaws when it comes to the Mens Nike Air Cole Haan Shoes.

Tags: Burnished, Calfskin, Cole, Cushioning, Custom, Features, Grommets, Haan, Juno, NIKE, Supreme, Technology

The Top 12 Technology Mistakes Small Business Make And How To Avoid Them

Have you ever had that ominous hunch that something bad is going to happen – and then it does? Unfortunately, this gut-wrenching feeling is far-too-familiar for small businesses facing the complexity of information technology.

By its nature, IT is a confusing, expensive and forever-changing animal. Hardware and software sometimes becomes obsolete within months, let alone a few years. And thanks to budget restraints, many small businesses fall into lethal traps like hiring inexperienced personnel to handle their IT. But it only takes a single mistake to lead to a catastrophic loss of company data, and starting over can be heartbreaking.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many ways small business owners can learn from the mistakes of others. As a veteran IT professional on the front lines each day, I’ve listed the top twelve most common errors that small businesses make with IT.

Mistake #1: Using non-functional back-up software

Many small business owners assume that just because hardware or software is present, data itself is protected. This is a terrible assumption. Just because a server has an appendage that looks like a tape spooler attached doesn’t mean that tape spooler is actually working. At a bare minimum, small businesses should perform regular testing on backup software every two months. It is far more costly to recover lost data than perform the proper testing of backup systems.

Mistake #2: Using mass-market equipment to run business-class tasks

Using mass market equipment to run business operations is a fatal error in judgment. That $49 router from Best Buy will simply not perform like a commercial-level one will. The products created for business are expensive because they’re designed to keep a company up and running at all times. Many small business owners cut corners just to keep their budgets down, but using inappropriate equipment can cause an extraordinary loss of manpower and resources.

Mistake #3: Overextending the technology lifecycle

That five-year-old PC your receptionist is using probably won’t hurt your business when it dies. But if the 10-year-old server under her desk does, it can cripple your entire company. All technology has a set lifecycle. Manufacturers call this life cycle MTBF, or mean time between failures. Any IT person worth their salt can see how many errors hardware or a server is making and judge when it needs to be replaced. Servers and PC hardware, in general, have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. This lifespan depends on how much this equipment is used, but if you’re not backing up your IT elements or replacing them often enough, you should start by doing it now.

Mistake #4: Having a “set it and forget it” mentality

This is perhaps the most common error small businesses make when building their technology infrastructure. Make no mistake: IT hardware and software requires routine regular maintenance and adjustment. Think of your IT infrastructure as you would an automobile. If you forget to put oil in your car, your engine will die. Servers and software need continual care so they can perform at optimal levels. As a small business, you should hire someone who can see the Big Picture. If you don’t, the question becomes not if you’ll have a problem, but when.

Mistake #5: Buying new software while skipping hardware upgrades

This problem stems from the over-marketing of new upgrades from software manufactures. Each company wants you to upgrade to the latest version of software — some even make it impossible for you to function without these upgrades. But many of the newer software platforms require you to upgrade your hardware simultaneously. Many small business owners upgrade their software without even thinking about the hardware, which may not only impact other systems, but cause catastrophic performance problems for your overall IT ecosystem.

Mistake #6: Going cheap, regardless of the consequences

Everyone knows that IT — from new software to hardware implementation — is expensive. But not too many small business owners know why. IT elements often cost more because they require a migration from another system or the completion of complex tasks to work optimally. Unfortunately, this is why small businesses, time and again, find themselves in an untenable situation: they choose the cheapest software only to find that some extraordinarily important piece is not included in the purchase. So conduct your due diligence. Buying IT equipment is just like buying a house – and you should only be comfortable when quality workmanship is involved.

Mistake #7: Forgoing user training

This is a problem that’s less about equipment and more about human nature. Training is an absolute must for small businesses. Without the proper training on software or hardware, well-intentioned equipment purchases are useless. Small business owners should train their employees on all IT elements whenever possible. A well-trained staff and a solid set of IT equipment will save your company time, money and plenty of headaches. Preserve your investment by keeping staffers up to speed.

Mistake #8: Working without a plan

Planning out IT initiatives or upgrades is a task that should be done, at the bare minimum, once a year. Many companies do this annually just to line up their equipment with pending corporate initiatives. This is a great practice. Mapping out your technology path can impact your entire business. Each small business should not only budget for new hardware, software upgrades or other technological elements, but for additional manpower and technical support. If you plan ahead, that software upgrade or mandatory hardware migration will no longer jump out from nowhere.

Mistake #9: Skimping on security

If you do one thing after reading this article, it should be this: take your security seriously. Many small businesses find it inconceivable that someone would target their business or try to steal their valuable data. Unfortunately, this is the furthest from the truth. Security has become the number one issue for IT environments in the past few years, thanks to online scams, vulnerability in software and networks using improper architecture. As an IT expert, I’ve come across small business systems that are so vulnerable, their accounting data is readily available on the Internet. Other systems have no anti-virus software or no malware protection, but plenty of insidious spy ware working overtime, capturing everything from login names to passwords. At some small businesses, I’ve seen criminals use open ports to hack into security camera footage — just to plan a robbery. Spam, malware and viruses pave the way for a devastating security breach. Don’t let it happen to you.

Mistake # 10: Using under-qualified people for IT support

On its face, leaving a friend, neighbor or relative in charge of your IT is not necessarily a bad move. But assuming they’re capable of such responsibility just because they can download and install software is. An under-qualified person can never give you good IT advice. Because they’ve fallen into this trap, many small businesses actually end up spending more money just to correct the mistakes of an under-qualified IT person. If you need outside support for your IT environment, always ask for certification and credentials. A good IT person is always trained and certified to work within the complexities of an IT environment.

Mistake #11: Not knowing what you have?

Ever wonder what’s in your IT room? Well, you should. Sometimes small business owners are so busy running their shops that they forget to count their software licenses or keep inventory of how many PCs they have. While countless businesses played it fast and loose years ago, one can’t afford to do that now. Strict asset management requirements – straight from the U.S. government – demand that you keep tabs of what you own. The companies of today that wave off asset management may find themselves unable to get a loan or other financing. Asset management is critical. Conducting your first inventory, especially if you’ve been in business for some time, may be an expensive task. But it will save you much heartache in the long run.

Mistake #12: Using pirated software

Software licensing rules can seem quite unfair. Many small business owners wonder why they should purchase more copies of software when they can simply use one for all their machines. With older software, you could probably get away with this. But with today’s ultra-sophisticated software, it’s simply a losing bet. Some software companies are cracking down so hard that when you download updates, it alerts them when the software has been used more than once. A company can disable your software completely at just the click of a mouse. Even worse, you could end up facing fines of upwards of $100,000 from the Business Software Alliance. Keep your software licenses up to date and you’ll never find yourself in this situation.

Many of the problems tackled here can easily be remedied by using a qualified IT professional. Many IT companies now provide flexible, affordable packages that cover maintenance, support and the overall health of your IT environment. So take your time and do your homework. Plan ahead, spend wisely and hire qualified personnel. The money you spend on IT in the short run may feel like an incredible investment at the time, but it most certainly will pay off in the end.

Tags: Avoid, Business, Mistakes, Small, Technology, Them.