Hardware & Software

Ballmer Says Windows 7 Is Microsoft's Best OS Ever

November 20, 2009 | The recently launched operating system is building market momentum as PC users upgrade from Vista, Microsoft's CEO says. No word on whether enterprises, consumers, or SMBs are leading the charge.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Cisco Teaming With EMC: Another Sign Of The Times

November 19, 2009 | It's not just the HP-3Com deal. The recent Cisco-EMC joint venture also signals continuing market consolidation in the computer equipment market. SMBs need to have a backup plan in case their preferred vendors abruptly decide to change course.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Salesforce Adds Enterprise Social Networking

November 18, 2009 | Chatter brings Facebook- and Twitter-type capabilities to applications running on the Force.com cloud computing platform.
By Mary Hayes Weier, Courtesy of InformationWeek

12+ New Microsoft Office 2010 Features

November 18, 2009 | This visual look at what's new for SMBs in the Microsoft Office 2010 beta reveals a number of significant improvements. But is it enough to maintain the productivity suite's overwhelming dominance in the face of cheaper (free!) online alternatives?
By Fredric Paul

HP Pitches Thin Computing To SMBS -- But Are They Interested?

November 17, 2009 | HP rolls out a raft of new thin client terminals -- some expected to cost less than $100 -- bolstered by new servers, new software, and new services. Will it be enough to convince SMBs that the time is finally right for thin computing to go mainstream in smaller companies?
By Fredric Paul

Citrix Rolls Out Xen Desktop 4

November 16, 2009 | Windows 7 will prompt a rethinking of the desktop in 2010 and lead many to virtualize, Citrix says. Are SMBs ready to jump on board?
By Charles Babcock, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Touch Screens Find Real-World Applications In SMBs

November 16, 2009 | If touch screens are so hot, what are small and midsize companies actually using them for? It can't all be restaurant workers and customer-facing kiosks, can it? We check out a new health care application, try to figure out uses for touch-screen laptops, and wonder if new software development programs will help.
By Fredric Paul

7 Cloud Computing Myths Busted

November 14, 2009 | Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others are investing aggressively in the cloud, even as critics point to security, reliability, and compatibility issues. InformationWeek cuts through the fog.
By Serdar Yegulalp, Courtesy of InformationWeek

10 Reasons For Small Businesses To Use Windows 7

November 13, 2009 | A no-nonsense rundown of why small businesses, especially, will find it worth their while to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system.
By Scott Steinberg

Logitech To Acquire LifeSize Video Communications Vendor

November 11, 2009 | The $405 million purchase of LifeSize would give Logitech entry into the growing corporate videoconferencing market, with a focus on SMBs.
By Antone Gonsalves, Courtesy of InformationWeek

How HP Plans To Rule The SMB World

November 11, 2009 | Vowing to overcome past problems, HP unveils its latest not-so-secret plan for worldwide SMB domination. There's lots to like, but low prices don't seem to be the company's top priority.
By Fredric Paul

Apple's Mini DisplayPort Standard Specified

November 11, 2009 | The Video Electronics Standards Association standardized hardware for hooking displays to devices that need a small connector, such as thin laptops. But will non-Apple vendors actually use it?
By Antone Gonsalves, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Microsoft Says Windows 7 Malware Threat 'Sensationalized'

November 9, 2009 | Software maker claims operating system tests by security vendor Sophos did not take advantage of Microsoft security tools.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Midmarket Heroes: Three Unique SMBs Turn To Big-Company Software To Grow Their Businesses

November 10, 2009 | SAP trots out three very different businesses to show that it's serious about helping small and midsize companies. What can other SMBs learn from the experiences of these three Midmarket Heroes?

To Fight The Recession, HP Introduces Lots Of SMB Products

November 9, 2009 | The giant vendor rolls out new servers, network switches, storage systems, disk drives, PCs, monitors, and printers -- and adds new support plans, financing options, and bundled systems. It's all part of an ongoing effort to pull together HP's vast portfolio of products in the face of continuing economic pressure.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Microsoft Releases Exchange 2010

November 9, 2009 | The e-mail server includes better storage optimization, voicemail integration, archiving, and potentially big cost savings, says the software giant.
By J. Nicholas Hoover, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Windows 7 Sales Trounce Vista

November 6, 2009 | Microsoft's new OS is significantly outpacing its predecessor in terms of post-launch market impact. But new PC sales haven't seen the same lift.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Verizon and Motorola Use The Droid To Take on AT&T And Apple's iPhone

November 4, 2009 | Verizon and Motorola hope the Droid's physical keyboard and higher-rated network can make up for the iPhone's head start and giant app collection. For SMBs, though, it's all about choice and competition.
By Paul Korzeniowski

XP To Windows 7: Workaround Fixes Install Failure

November 3, 2009 | Windows XP users attempting upgrades to Microsoft's new OS are getting hit with an error message -- here's the fix.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Microsoft Drops Prices Of Cloud Apps

November 3, 2009 | Exchange Online's monthly price drops from $10 to $5, and storage increases to 25 Gbytes, matching Google Gmail.
By Mary Hayes Weier, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Slideshow: Top 10 BlackBerry Apps For SMBs

November 3, 2009 | The Blackberry may be the smartphone standard for business users, but most of the applications in the BlackBerry App World store are distinctly consumer-flavored. So we hunted down the top choices for small and midsize businesses.

Windows 7: UI Promises Productivity Gains

November 2, 2009 | In developing the user interface for its latest OS, Microsoft put productivity and the user experience front and center. Here's how they did it.
By J. Nicholas Hoover, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Ask Steve: SMBs Cut Tech, And More, To Cope With Recession

November 2, 2009 | New Yankee Group SMB data predicts severe cutbacks in tech spending, particularly in cloud computing and Software as a Service (Saas) as well as unified communications. The bright spot? Mobile applications.
By Steve Hilton, Courtesy of Yankee Group

Is The Desktop PC Doomed?

October 31, 2009 | The rise of Web-based apps, virtualization, and a crop of powerful mobile devices have the traditional PC desktop on the run. What does it all mean to your company?
By Serdar Yegulalp, Courtesy of InformationWeek

The Tech-Savvy SMB's Software Toolbox

October 30, 2009 | One small business owner shows how she uses technology to run her business -- and her life -- in the real world. What collection of technology tools and services do you use?
By Azita Arvan