According to a May 2012 report by the National Economic Council, there are 28 million small businesses in the U.S. employing 60 million Americans - roughly half of the private sector workforce. The balance between budgeting and productivity can be challenging to small firms, particularly those working to get (or maintain) a foothold in today's economy.
As I travel for appearances on TV and radio, I am often asked what technology small business owners really need and what they can live without. With no further ado, here's my "Buy This, Not That" series for the small office environment.
Purchase Laptop Computers and Avoid Desktops and Tablets:
When you begin setting up your small business, one of your first investments will be computers. Traditional computers (Tower, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.) tend to be the most customizable. You can add components such as extra monitors, or graphics cards as needed, and you can easily hook up multiple peripherals like printers, video cameras, and custom equipment. One of the main drawbacks to a desktop computer is mobility. You simply can't easily take work home or travel very well with one.
Believe it or not nearly half of U.S. workers think of themselves as mobile, which means they spend more than 20% of their work time outside of the office, according to a Yankee Group report. If you own a small business or are an executive being able to access your work while on the road can make or break your success.
Some offices accommodate this with an FTP or cloud-based file server that users log into when they are away from the office. However, if your business requires specialized software it can get costly to install it on multiple machines. While users could use a remote login program like LogMeIn to access their work computer while away, their productivity will hinge on the strength of their internet connection.
Instead, consider equipping employees with laptops and docking stations. This will give you the best of both worlds at minimal additional cost. A docking station allows you to connect a laptop to a multitude of additional devices with one plug, typically via USB. Look for one that includes software to allow your system to function with the top closed, so that you can utilize external keyboards, mice and monitors. When deadlines loom (and, frankly, when don't they?), the laptop has the portability to allow you to continue working from anywhere. No need to remotely access software or data from a secondary system - everything is exactly where you left off. Yet when you return to the office, one connection lets you work under optimal conditions to ensure your comfort and efficiency during your workday.
I like the Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB Docking Station which works with any Windows-based computer and is available for around $130. Its built-in video card supports two large monitors and the HDMI-out port allows you to view 1080p HD videos or games on an external display. It supports network data transfer over USB 3.0 and surround sound through either HDMI or 3.5mm audio. Compared to the two to four USB ports on many laptops, the six USB slots will increase the number of peripherals you can connect.
Do you have an expensive device everyone seems to need? Rather than buying multiple big screen monitors or projectors use the universal docking station so everyone can access it. Then whoever is running the quarterly meeting can connect without any fuss.
A quick note about iPad, or Android tablets: At this point I would recommend passing on tablets for your workforce, unless you have a specific need for their mobility. They just aren't powerful enough for many of the day to day tasks in a modern office. Also, you may need special software that won't be compatible with the rest of your systems.
As I travel for appearances on TV and radio, I am often asked what technology small business owners really need and what they can live without. With no further ado, here's my "Buy This, Not That" series for the small office environment.
Purchase Laptop Computers and Avoid Desktops and Tablets:
When you begin setting up your small business, one of your first investments will be computers. Traditional computers (Tower, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.) tend to be the most customizable. You can add components such as extra monitors, or graphics cards as needed, and you can easily hook up multiple peripherals like printers, video cameras, and custom equipment. One of the main drawbacks to a desktop computer is mobility. You simply can't easily take work home or travel very well with one.
Believe it or not nearly half of U.S. workers think of themselves as mobile, which means they spend more than 20% of their work time outside of the office, according to a Yankee Group report. If you own a small business or are an executive being able to access your work while on the road can make or break your success.
Some offices accommodate this with an FTP or cloud-based file server that users log into when they are away from the office. However, if your business requires specialized software it can get costly to install it on multiple machines. While users could use a remote login program like LogMeIn to access their work computer while away, their productivity will hinge on the strength of their internet connection.
Instead, consider equipping employees with laptops and docking stations. This will give you the best of both worlds at minimal additional cost. A docking station allows you to connect a laptop to a multitude of additional devices with one plug, typically via USB. Look for one that includes software to allow your system to function with the top closed, so that you can utilize external keyboards, mice and monitors. When deadlines loom (and, frankly, when don't they?), the laptop has the portability to allow you to continue working from anywhere. No need to remotely access software or data from a secondary system - everything is exactly where you left off. Yet when you return to the office, one connection lets you work under optimal conditions to ensure your comfort and efficiency during your workday.
I like the Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB Docking Station which works with any Windows-based computer and is available for around $130. Its built-in video card supports two large monitors and the HDMI-out port allows you to view 1080p HD videos or games on an external display. It supports network data transfer over USB 3.0 and surround sound through either HDMI or 3.5mm audio. Compared to the two to four USB ports on many laptops, the six USB slots will increase the number of peripherals you can connect.
Do you have an expensive device everyone seems to need? Rather than buying multiple big screen monitors or projectors use the universal docking station so everyone can access it. Then whoever is running the quarterly meeting can connect without any fuss.
A quick note about iPad, or Android tablets: At this point I would recommend passing on tablets for your workforce, unless you have a specific need for their mobility. They just aren't powerful enough for many of the day to day tasks in a modern office. Also, you may need special software that won't be compatible with the rest of your systems.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on Small Business Computer, then visit www.callnerds.com to find the best advice on Desktops and Laptop Computer Repair for you.
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