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Tech solutions for small and mid-size firms

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open source technology
cloud computing
Virtualization
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Spending and Budgeting
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Small and mid-size businesses must make smart investments to stay competitive, but like every enterprise, they will face tightening IT budgets in 2009. There are cost-effective, state-of-the art options available to CIOs that could be well suited for mid-market companies. According to eWeek.com, small and mid-size companies should explore cloud computing as a way to access enterprise-class technology with minimal up-front investments, easy scalability and access to a wide range of web-hosted services.

Another option is virtualization; virtual servers and virtual desktops allow firms to host multiple operating systems and multiple applications locally, and in remote locations. Virtualization will also allow companies to save money on energy costs and reduce expenses on hardware resources. Another recommendation includes turning to open source software. There are no licensing costs, upgrade costs or initial software purchases. And don't forget online social networking as a way of connecting your business with certain social media audiences and other platforms.

For more advice:
- see this eWeek.com article

Related Articles:
IT Budget news from FierceCIO
Virtualization news from FierceCIO
Cloud computing news from FierceContentManagement

Comments

I like to pass along things that work, in hopes that good ideas make their way back to me. As CIO, I look for ways to help my business and IT teams further their education. Check your local library: A book that is required reading is "I.T. WARS: Managing the Business-Technology Weave in the New Millennium." It also helps outside agencies understand your values and practices.
The author, David Scott, has an interview that is a great exposure: www dot businessforum dot com/DScott_02 dot html - There is a wealth of info on achieving returns on investment, and doing imaginative things in the realm of Security, Content Management, Acceptable Use and other policies - and vendor selection and best bangs for the bucks.
The book came to us as a tip from an intern who attended a course at University of Wisconsin, where the book is an MBA text. It has helped us to understand that, while various systems of security are important, no system can overcome laxity, ignorance, or deliberate intent to harm. Necessary is a sustained culture and awareness; an efficient prism through which every activity is viewed from a security perspective prior to action.
In the realm of risk, unmanaged possibilities become probabilities – read the book BEFORE your next implementation or policy issue.

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