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IT FAQs 4 SMEs |
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What Proprietors Want To Know About Information Technology |
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According to the Small Business Service, there is no one definition of a small business because of the tremendous diversity in small firms. There are some things they all have in common, though. One is that proprietors of SMEs have many questions about how the latest IT advances can help their companies run efficiently. Here are the questions most frequently asked by owners of SMEs about information technology… |
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Q . My company has a tight budget. Aren't new information technology systems too expensive for a small business? |
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A . Definitely not. The needs of the small businesses can be met on a very affordable basis by Lotus Domino Express licenses, for example. This means SMEs can deploy the type and quality of IT that used to be only available to big businesses. Business critical features such as email, instant messaging, calendaring, document management, and an ultra-secure database platform are just some of the components of this software. |
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Q . Will new information technology operate smoothly with software I am already using? |
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A . Yes, depending on the software that you choose. Interoperability is an important quality for software to have with today's open platforms. For example, Lotus Domino supports many operating systems: Microsoft Windows, IBM AIX, IBM i5/OS, IBM z/OS, Sun Solaris, and Linux. It is even compatible with Macintosh. Lotus Notes and Domino 7 comes with flexible programming options that allow you to utilize your firm's development teams, maximize your existing applications, and rapidly develop new solutions unique to your company's needs. |
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Q . What can I do about keeping data and information secure? |
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A . Security must be omnipresent in your business. Key functionalities such as server and local file encryption, digital signatures, and multi-level access control have to be the foundation of protecting information. You need state of the art anti-spam and anti-virus capability. Your security network should support Internet security standards. With the advent of legislative initiatives like the EU Data Protection Directive, keeping information confidential and secure is not just good business. It also signifies that your firm is in regulatory compliance with privacy standards. |
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Q . What happens if I invest in a system and my business gets bigger or I want to upgrade the system? Is that a lot of trouble and expense? |
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A . Absolutely not. One of the advantages of quality software is that scalability is built in. When your business grows, so can your system. Scaling up means being able to jump from 10 to 100 users in a single, easy leap. IBM Lotus Domino is designed exactly with that in mind. Scaling up this way has some big advantages. For instance, you keep using a system you already know and are comfortable with. That means no learning curve and saving training expenses. There's very little performance downtime. Plus, security remains intact. Also, when you select software from a company with a proven track record, you have the peace of mind that comes with not only a successful software history but a plan for the future. You'll never be left in the lurch with applications and no support. On the other hand, if you never need or want to upgrade, with IBM Lotus Notes and Domino, you never have to. That's called being “backwards compatible”. No matter how large you want to grow your business or how small you prefer to keep it, IBM Lotus Notes and Domino or Lotus Domino Express are brilliant business solutions. |
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