Hardware & Software

Windows 7 Family Pack Discontinued

December 8, 2009 | Microsoft pulls multi-license discount offer -- could add to upgrade expenses for very small businesses.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Dell's Sleek New Vostro V13 SMB Laptop Thinks Thin And Light

December 8, 2009 | When it comes to laptops, you can never be too thin or too rich. And the newest entry in Dell's small business lineup, the Vostro V13, weighs in at under 3.5 pounds and less than an inch thick.
By Fredric Paul
Microsoft To Finally Kill Windows XP SP2 Support

December 7, 2009 | Software maker eyes cutoff date for support for XP, as well as for Windows 2000. SMBs need to have their operating system plans in place.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek
How To Make Your Business Mobile -- By The Numbers

December 4, 2009 | The best smartphones for small businesses in 8 different categories, the top 13 apps for SMBs, and 5 ways to differentiate among wireless carriers.
By Dan O' Shea
Microsoft Warns Piracy Surge Brings Malware

December 3, 2009 | It's a problem because companies using unlicensed or counterfeit software are 73% more likely to suffer data loss or damage than users of legitimate software.
By Thomas Claburn, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Lenovo Offers AT&T Tech Support With PCs

December 3, 2009 | The companies have joined together to court SMBs with the discounted PC and IT support bundle.
By Antone Gonsalves, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Review: HP Mini 5101 Is A "Business Netbook"

December 3, 2009 | The HP Mini 5101 is the kind of business netbook that businesses might buy if businesses were buying business netbooks. But are most businesses buying netbooks?
By Fredric Paul
Netbooks In SMBs: Still Waiting For A Killer App

December 3, 2009 | Netbook sales keep growing, but businesses of all sizes are still struggling to figure out what the heck to DO with them.
By Fredric Paul
Bill Collector Makes Hay With Oracle Middleware

December 1, 2009 | Collect America finds opportunity in recession, but the 139-employeee company needed to integrate collection applications on top of Oracle Fusion middleware to make it work.
By Charles Babcock, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Office 2010 Ship Date Revealed

December 1, 2009 | Microsoft confirms Internet rumors surrounding the release of its next software suite: Office 2010 will ship in June.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Cisco Keeps Working To Make Its Case To Small Businesses

December 1, 2009 | One year after forming its Small Business Technology group, Cisco is still trying to erase perceptions that the networking giant cares only for large enterprises. New products and services debuting today are intended to help make the case -- to channel partners as well assmall businesses themselves.
By Fredric Paul
Disaster Recovery Options

November 30, 2009 | When it comes to riding out a disaster, preparing for the worst is a much better strategy than hoping for the best. Check out this unique slide show to find out why a disaster-recovery solution is important, learn how to assess your company's needs, and check out your company's best disaster-recovery options. (Registration required to view full slide show.)
How Cloud Computing Changes Everything

November 28, 2009 | Cloud computing is still an emerging technology, but it's already clear that increased adoption will bring changes in the way IT departments work -- in organizations both large and small.
By Charles Babcock, Courtesy of InformationWeek
Security Is Chief Obstacle To Cloud Computing Adoption, Says Study Of Growing Companies

November 25, 2009 | Half of organizations surveyed say they have no plans to use cloud technology; and half of those cite security concerns.
By Tim Wilson, Courtesy of DarkReading
Video Conferencing Shakeup Poses Challenges And Offers Opportunities For SMBs

November 23, 2009 | Long term, consolidation in the video conferencing market promises more powerful, less-expensive solutions for smaller companies. But in the meantime, SMBs need to be aware that their preferred video conferencing suppliers could be just about to change course.
By Paul Korzeniowski
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