ANTenna Blog -- July 2009 Archive

In Case Of Disaster, Turn To Cloud

Posted by Jake Widman 01:32 PM ET | Jul 31, 2009

Disaster recovery is one of those eat-your-spinach topics: not glamorous, not fun, not appealing but good for you. A new report predicts that cloud computing will transform the backup, recovery, and business continuity markets and hit the sweet spot for many SMBs.

New Ubuntu Support Plans Built For Small-Biz Users

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 01:00 PM ET | Jul 31, 2009

Ubuntu wants to win over more small-business Linux users with a new set of targeted, low-cost desktop tech support packages.

Mac And iPhone Security Issues Mounting

Posted by Jake Widman 01:10 PM ET | Jul 30, 2009

New ways to break the iPhone's security and reports of new Mac exploits should serve as a warning to Mac-based businesses not to become complacent.

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Apple | Mobile | Security

Build A Case For A Business Continuity Appliance

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:46 PM ET | Jul 29, 2009

bMighty's second Business Case Builder is a free downloadable PowerPoint presentation designed to help your company justify the purchase of affordable technology solutions to maximize business uptime.

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Business Continuity | Disaster Recovery | Hardware & Software | IT | bMighty

Apple's Complaints About Jailbroken iPhones Don't Hold Water

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:15 PM ET | Jul 29, 2009

Apple says that unsanctioned iPhone alterations could crash mobile phone networks. I say, "hogwash."

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Apple | Mobile | Networking & Communications | Technology/Telecom | iPhone

Untangle Wraps Up Small-Biz Network Security

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 04:48 PM ET | Jul 29, 2009

How much would you pay for a security product that is effective, easy to use, and backed by a company that is totally focused on the small-business market? Does "free" sound like a fair deal?

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Company Size: 1-49 | Open Source

Is It Time To Let Your Employees "Bring Their Own PC?"

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:39 PM ET | Jul 28, 2009

A new Forrester Research study shows how one company has stopped supplying computers to its workers - saving the company money, lightening the IT workload, and making employees happy. Plus 10 simple rules for making it work at your company.

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Hardware & Software

Sprint 's Latest Acquisition Bad News for SMBs?

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 03:01 PM ET | Jul 28, 2009

As competition among cellular carriers intensified recently, Sprint Nextel has struggled to grow its business. The company’s future direction may be foreshadowed in its decision to purchase Virgin Mobile USA, however if that is the case, Sprint Nextel services may become less attractive to small and medium businesses.

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Business & E-Business | Mobile

NEW! Business Case Builder: Distributed Asset Management

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:02 PM ET | Jul 27, 2009

Introducing a brand new service from bMighty.com: The bMighty Business Case Builder on Distributed Asset Management! It's the first in a series of Business Case Builders: free downloadable PowerPoint presentations designed to help you justify investments in key technologies to your company's senior management.

Try New Software -- Without Installing New Software

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 04:43 PM ET | Jul 27, 2009

A startup firm has come up with a great way to try new open-source software -- without installing anything on your desktop.

Spiceworks Improves MSP Features

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 02:27 PM ET | Jul 27, 2009

Network and system management has been a problem for many small and medium businesses. Traditionally, these systems were cumbersome to deploy and difficult to manage. Spiceworks has had some success in this market segment by delivering a free (yes free!) system and recently enhanced its product, so third parties can more easily provide managed services to these businesses.

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Management

Close To Half Of SMBs Defenseless Against Cybercrime: Panda

Posted by Keith Ferrell 11:38 AM ET | Jul 27, 2009

44% of U.S. small and midsized businesses have suffered at least one incident of cybercrime, according to a study just out from Panda Security. And considering how spotty, inconsistent and just plain missing SMB defenses are, it's a wonder the figure isn't any higher than it is.

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Business & E-Business | IT | Security

Introducing The IT Management How-To Center

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:19 PM ET | Jul 24, 2009

There comes a time in every company's growth when it becomes clear that the IT infrastructure - PCs, servers, storage, printers, e-mail, software, and much more - can no longer be managed on ad hoc basis.

6,000 New Malware Threats A Day: McAfee

Posted by Keith Ferrell 12:39 PM ET | Jul 24, 2009

Think you've seen explosive growth in the number of threats your business faces? Think again. New figures from McAfee indicate that the malware makers have put their creations on a growth curve aimed at flooding cyberspace with cybertraps, as many as 6,000 new ones a day. Every day. All year long (so far).

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Business & E-Business | Security

The Germans Love Laptop Linux. So Why Don't We?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:02 AM ET | Jul 24, 2009

In Germany, two of the top 10 best-selling laptops currently run Linux. What do these folks know that we don't?

Comments(3)
Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source

SMB-Size Online Fileserver Comes To Mac

Posted by Jake Widman 03:22 PM ET | Jul 23, 2009

The collaboration and file sharing service NomaDesk, already available for Windows, is now available for the Mac as well. And a new iPhone extension enables file access and remote management.

Open-Source Apps Earn Software Security Seal Of Approval

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 11:38 AM ET | Jul 23, 2009

Two prominent open-source projects recently got a thumbs-up from Veracode, a company that applies a standards-based approach to software vulnerability testing.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Networking & Communications | Open Source | Security

What Computer Service Companies Know About The Equipment We Buy

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:37 AM ET | Jul 23, 2009

Not long ago, I had a fascinating conversation with David Yarborough, president of ComputerPlus Sales & Service. Unlike the rest of the world, he knows which technology products break, and which ones don't.

Tips For Navigating The Managed-Services Ecosystem

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 10:13 AM ET | Jul 23, 2009

Want to make sure that your managed-service provider is on board for the long haul? Here are a few points to consider when making your choice.

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IT | IT Management | IT Management How-To | Software-as-a-Service

Apple's Fiscal Results Reason For Confidence

Posted by Jake Widman 05:59 PM ET | Jul 22, 2009

The positive profit and revenue numbers reported by Apple yesterday are indications that the Mac market remains healthy, meaning that Mac-based businesses contemplating technology investments have less reason to question their commitment to the platform.

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Apple

IBM and Juniper Tighten Bond

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 10:40 AM ET | Jul 22, 2009

IBM and Juniper extended their recent partnership so IBM will now be reselling Juniper EX 4200 and 8200 series of Ethernet switches and MX series of Ethernet routers. In addition to providing another distribution outlet for the Juniper gear, the agreement underscores changes in data center product design and the scrambling that vendor have been doing to position themselves to take advantage of that change.

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Networking & Communications

Do Linux Benchmarks Have A Leg To Stand On?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 03:42 AM ET | Jul 22, 2009

A recent set of Linux distro benchmarks appears to show some surprising results. Yet it also shows the dangers of relying too heavily upon such benchmarks to make real-world technology decisions.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source

Mobile Miracle: How To Revive A Wet Cell Phone

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 01:57 AM ET | Jul 22, 2009

So, your fancy new cell phone is dripping wet and dead as a doornail. What now?

Comments(1)
How-To | Mobile | Technology/Telecom | Tips | Travel

Little URLs Becoming Bigger Spammer Target

Posted by Keith Ferrell 11:29 AM ET | Jul 21, 2009

URL-shrinking services such as TinyURL.com, bit.ly, and cli.gs are convenient for turning long addresses into short ones. They're also convenient for helping spammers and malware makers hide their identities and guide unwary clickers astray.

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Internet/Web | Messaging | Security | Social Networking

Microsoft's Linux Contribution: No Surprises Here

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 11:42 PM ET | Jul 20, 2009

The news that Microsoft is contributing 20,000 lines of code to the Linux kernel might sound surprising. It isn't.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source | Windows

Microsoft Adds Office Live Workspace, Sharepoint Connectivity To Mac Office 2008

Posted by Jake Widman 05:56 PM ET | Jul 20, 2009

Mac-based SMBs have been able to store and access documents on Microsoft Office Live Workspace but not work with Office documents directly, the way Windows users could. Today Microsoft released Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 2, which adds that capability along with other features and stability enhancements.

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Apple | Cloud Computing

Avaya Antes Up $475 Million For Nortel’s Networking Line

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 03:31 PM ET | Jul 20, 2009

Light is finally being seen in the dark tunnel that Nortel customers recently experienced. Avaya plans to acquire its rival’s network equipment business unit and establish itself more firmly as a top provider of unified communications products to small and medium businesses. However, the fate of Nortel’s switch and router product lines is less clear.

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Networking & Communications

Riverbed Creates Virtual Edition Of Its Steelhead Mobile Controller

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:27 AM ET | Jul 20, 2009

New software-only SMC-VE costs half as much as full appliance, supports acceleration for smaller mobile workforces. It's like buying an aspirin at the airport instead of Costco...

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Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | Mobile

Is SEO A Boondoggle?

Posted by Fredric Paul 03:18 PM ET | Jul 17, 2009

C'mon, you always suspected that those fast talking guys promising to put your site on the first page of Google results were nothing more than snake-oil salesmen. And all that SEO spam didn't help create a sterling reputation either. According to Search Engine Land, even if SEO isn't entirely bogus, it definitely includes plenty of useless "parlor tricks."

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Company Size: 1-49 | Internet/Web | Sales/Marketing

IE6: The Browser That Refused To Die

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 02:24 AM ET | Jul 17, 2009

On the information superhighway, Internet Explorer 6 is a Ford Pinto with a fuel leak. So why are so many Web users still puttering along in this ticking time bomb?

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Hardware & Software | Internet/Web | Security | Web 2.0 | bMighty

SonicWall Adds Ambitious Anti-Spam Tools To SMB Firewalls

Posted by Keith Ferrell 12:11 PM ET | Jul 16, 2009

Firewall company SonicWALL has added high-level anti-spam features to the features and services integrated in its Unified Threat Management Firewalls, aiming to block spam at the network gateway, as well as at remote or mobile locations using the company's firewalls.

Dell Debuts Vostro All-In-One PC For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:22 AM ET | Jul 16, 2009

Conventional wisdom holds that small and midsize businesses are so cost conscious that they won't pay a premium for the design and convenience of all-in-one computers. Dell's new Vostro All-In-One desktop computer hopes to debunk that notion with good looks, space savings, and reasonable prices.

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Hardware & Software

The Best Firefox Extensions: Social Networking

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 10:02 PM ET | Jul 15, 2009

Want to put social networking sites to work for your small business? These Firefox extensions will help you get started.

Business Is Booming For Managed-Service Vendors

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:52 PM ET | Jul 15, 2009

No small business wants to get stuck in a relationship with an IT vendor that goes belly-up on them. When it comes to dealing with managed-service providers, however, the economic risks may be lower than you think.

Will Unemployed IT Workers Turn To Cybercrime?

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:07 AM ET | Jul 15, 2009

A weak IT market may create a boom in IT-trained criminals, a report from Cisco suggests.

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Business & E-Business | IT | Security | bMighty

The Awful Truth About Anti-Spam Solutions

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 06:57 PM ET | Jul 14, 2009

The most effective anti-spam tool doesn't sit on a server -- it sits between an employee's ears. And whether we like it or not, that will always be the case.

Cisco Says Hackers Going Corporate

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 11:41 AM ET | Jul 14, 2009

Partnerships are usually not something associated with hackers, but a growing number of them are pooling their resources to make their tricks more effective. In addition, the crooks are keeping up on current events and instantly developing new ruses based on them. Those are a few of the findings Cisco outlined in its midyear security report.

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Security

SteelEye Offers SMB Business Continuity And Disaster Recovery Tools

Posted by Keith Ferrell 11:13 AM ET | Jul 14, 2009

Aiming at the small and midsized business markets, data protection firm SteelEye's latest version of its Protection Suite offers disaster recovery and business continuity tools for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

The Best Firefox Extensions: Working With Text

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 07:52 PM ET | Jul 13, 2009

Since Firefox 3.5 is now available, it's a good time to revisit the secret of this open-source Web browser's success: its flexibility.

Xerox, Lexmark Debut Dueling Printers For SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:05 PM ET | Jul 13, 2009

Lexmark announces the "world's first" Web-connected touch screen all-in-one printers, while the Xerox WorkCentre 5230 brings high-end enterprise functions to smaller businesses.

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Company Size: 1,100-1,500 | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 250-999 | Printers/Printing

Microsoft Office 2010 Gets Ready for a Test Ride

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 11:08 AM ET | Jul 13, 2009

Microsoft’s Office productivity suite has been popular in small and medium businesses. However, as companies have recently been moving to more Web based applications, the product line has come under siege. Consequently, Microsoft has been touting its next version, Microsoft Office 2010, which took another step to deployment.

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Unified Communications

Broadsoft Builds "App Store" For VoIP Applications

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:10 PM ET | Jul 12, 2009

These days, application stores are all the rage for smartphone vendors ranging from Apple to Blackberry. Now Voice over IP vendor Broadsoft is trying to extend the concept to VoIP applications for your company's main communications systems.

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Networking & Communications | Unified Communications | Web 2.0

Google Chrome OS And The Mac, Part 2

Posted by Jake Widman 04:14 PM ET | Jul 10, 2009

Some observers think Apple should be quailing in fear of the inexpensive computers Google Chrome OS will make possible. But new data indicates that Mac users are still willing to pay whatever Apple premium there may be.

Comments(2)
Apple

Social Network Security: Koobface Is Back And Twitter Is Now In Its Sights

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:47 AM ET | Jul 10, 2009

Koobface, the social networking worm that seeks to turn networkers' machines into zombies has generated more than 500 variants in the past month, according to security company Kaspersky Labs. The worm, which got its start on FaceBook and MySpace, now includes Twitter users among its targets.

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Business & E-Business | Internet/Web | Security | Social Networking

What Does Google Chrome OS Mean To Mac-using SMBs?

Posted by Jake Widman 09:44 PM ET | Jul 9, 2009

The announcement by Google of its plans to develop a new operating system has pundits and other observers scrambling to predict its effect on the PC market. Is this something Mac-based small and midsize businesses should care about?

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Apple | Linux | Mobile | iPhone

Document Management For The SMB Masses

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 07:44 PM ET | Jul 9, 2009

Document management systems are too expensive, and way too complicated, for small businesses to use -- right? Not necessarily.

Comments(1)
Hardware & Software | Open Source | Operations | bMighty

A Reader Speaks: Desktop PCs In Small Businesses

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:31 PM ET | Jul 9, 2009

A straight-from-the-trenches viewpoint on why desktop PCs continue to find homes in small businesses.

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Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | From the Readers | Hardware & Software | Professional/Creative Services

What Does Google Chrome OS Mean To SMBs?

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:23 PM ET | Jul 8, 2009

Google's plan to create a PC operating system poses a direct challenge to Microsoft, could shake up Linux, and does who knows what to Apple. For small and midsize businesses, though, any changes will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Open-Source Apps For Enterprises -- Of Every Size

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 04:15 PM ET | Jul 8, 2009

Would you like to hear 101 ways to put open-source software to work in your company's back office? Follow me.

Azaleos Expands Exchange Management Services

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 03:52 PM ET | Jul 8, 2009

Premises based solution or a cloud based approach? In many cases, small and medium businesses get caught in the transition point from the former to the latter. In response, Azaleos developed management services that support on-premise Exchange Servers as well as Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) and Exchange Online.

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Cloud Computing | Unified Communications

Quicken 2009 For The Mac: On Its Way Or Gone Away?

Posted by Jake Widman 03:29 PM ET | Jul 8, 2009

Mac-using small businesses who rely on Quicken have been eagerly awaiting the 2009 version of the basic financial and accounting package, which was supposed to be out this summer. Intuit has recently scrubbed mention of the new version from its website, however, raising questions about when and if the software will ever ship.

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Apple | Company Size: 1-49 | Finance/Accounting

My First Server: Fujitsu Debuts Primergy TX100 S1

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:20 AM ET | Jul 8, 2009

Fujitsu's new SMB-oriented server is the company's cheapest yet, starting at less than $600. The company positions it as the first step up from relying on standard PCs.

ActiveX Bug Could Open Doors For Bigger, Badder Confickers

Posted by Keith Ferrell 09:28 AM ET | Jul 8, 2009

The latest ActiveX vulnerability could create big problems in the form of big opportunities for hackers. How big? The Conficker worm exploited a vulnerability that was long-patched, taking advantage of unpatched computers. The new vulnerability hasn't been patched yet. You do the math.

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Business & E-Business | Internet/Web | Security | Server How-To | Windows

It's 10:30, Do You Know Where Your Employees Are?

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:24 PM ET | Jul 7, 2009

Be careful what you wish for, because a new offering from AT&T and Xora promises to make it easier than ever for SMBs track their employees' whereabouts. But do you really, really want to know?

Cymphonix adds iPhone Support to Management Tool

Posted by Paul Korzeniowski 12:15 PM ET | Jul 7, 2009

As small and medium businesses adopt cloud computing, the need for different network management and security products becomes clear. Cymphonix has been building a business delivering such products and recently upgraded its Cymphonix Network Composer with better reporting features and support for a wider range of end user devices.

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Networking & Communications | Security

Microsoft Office: A First Choice, Or A Last Resort?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 12:12 PM ET | Jul 7, 2009

OpenOffice.org has certainly come a long way in its effort to match Microsoft Office. But has it come far enough?

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Business & E-Business | Company Size: 1-49 | Hardware & Software | Open Source | bMighty

Trojans Now 70% Of New Security Threats

Posted by Keith Ferrell 10:13 AM ET | Jul 7, 2009

Nearly three-quarters of malware is now comprised of Trojans, according to a new report from PandaLabs. The security company's figures for the quarter ending this past June showed that 70% of new malware was Trojans. There's a reason for this: Trojans work, and Trojans work because so many computers (and their users, and the businesses that use them) don't take even the most basic precautions against them.

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Security

SMB Storage Startups Just Keep Coming

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:34 PM ET | Jul 6, 2009

The latest newcomer pitching storage solutions for small and midsize companies is called Pranah, and it's focusing on low-priced solutions for the video and digital imaging markets.

Comments(1)
Storage

7 Cheap Ways To Buy Online Exposure

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:03 PM ET | Jul 6, 2009

Building a brand online isn't easy for most small and midsize companies. But the bright folks over at Search Engine Land have some useful and inexpensive tips.

Polish SMB-Focused E-Mail Marketing Firm Adds Multimeda, Analytics, Social Media

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:04 AM ET | Jul 6, 2009

Implix today rolls out GetResponse 6.0, its e-mail marketing solution for small businesses, with a slew of new features.

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Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Messaging | Sales/Marketing | Social Networking

The Two Kinds Of Midsize Companies: IT Cost Cutters and Innovators

Posted by Fredric Paul 05:46 PM ET | Jul 5, 2009

A new IBM study suggests that economic and technological pressures are separating midmarket companies into two distinct camps. Which group is your company in?

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Company Size: 250-999 | Company Size: 50-249 | IT | Social Networking

Massive Job Losses Don't Spare Small Businesses

Posted by Fredric Paul 08:53 PM ET | Jul 2, 2009

The national unemployment figures are in, and they stink. Really, really stink. And small businesses aren't doing much better.

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Company Size: 1-49 | Economics | HR

Microsoft Offers No Response On Response Point

Posted by Fredric Paul 06:51 PM ET | Jul 2, 2009

If you were wondering about the future of Microsoft's Response Point small business VoIP system, you can keep wondering. The system's future has been in doubt for months, and the company declined to clear up the confusion at a meeting with Voice over IP resellers this week.

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Company Size: 1-49 | Networking & Communications | Technology/Telecom

Small Businesses Hold Back On Tech Spending

Posted by Fredric Paul 01:43 AM ET | Jul 2, 2009

If you're a small business desperately trying to hold the line on your IT budget, you're not alone. A new CDW survey reveals that fewer SMBs expect technology budgets to improve in the next 6 months.

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Business & E-Business | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Economics | IT

AT&T And CDW Offer Subsidized Netbooks To SMBs

Posted by Fredric Paul 07:37 PM ET | Jul 1, 2009

Wanna buy a netbook real cheap? How about $199? No problem. All you have to do is sign this little 2-year contract for 3G data services...

Cloud Computing: A Security Disaster Waiting To Happen?

Posted by Keith Ferrell 12:02 PM ET | Jul 1, 2009

Cloud computing is be the biggest risk the Internet has ever faced, according to one hacker. He went so far as to say that security problems in the Cloud may bring "an end to the Internet as we know it."

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Business & E-Business | Cloud Computing | Internet/Web | Security

How SMBs Can Build A Community - A Checklist

Posted by Fredric Paul 11:34 AM ET | Jul 1, 2009

Creating a community around your company or brand can help you connect with customers for marketing, support, and insight, but building a successful community isn't easy. Forrester Research has put together a checklist of what you need to help remove some of the guesswork.

Comments(2)
Social Networking

HP Access Discovers The Virtues of "Free"

Posted by Fredric Paul 01:03 AM ET | Jul 1, 2009

HP Access, the company's assistance program for small and midsize business, has dropped its $49 price tag and is now free to buyers of qualifying HP products. Ironically enough, at that price the program actually has some value.

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Bargain Bin | Company Size: 1-49 | Company Size: 50-249 | Sales/Marketing

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