Dell Small Business 360 - Business Resources - Build Your Business

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Unlike large companies weighed down by corporate bureaucracy, small businesses can move nimbly when looking to gain a technological advantage over the competition.

In fact, it's never too early to start thinking about how your business can be more productive - and competitive. Ultimately, your goal should be straightforward: Plan ahead to leave your competition behind. The following seven steps are great ways to put technology to work for you.

From lost productivity and downtime to maintenance expenses and service charges, old technology can rob small businesses of two of your most precious assets: time and money. That's why it's critical to assess all your systems and software to determine what's slowing down your business.

Because small businesses tend to have tight budgets, some owners will attempt to squeeze another year or two out of old systems to save money - but holding on to that old equipment may actually be more expensive than replacing it. Why? As desktops age, they need more maintenance and become more vulnerable to security risks, not to mention the need for countless updates and random system replacements. All these factors add up, and the results - from increased IT costs to costly downtime and decreased productivity - can be daunting.

By refreshing your technology, you can not only avoid these costs but make your business instantly more productive and help keep your data secure.

Just as updating your technology is a smart move - so is protecting your new equipment. To that end, be sure to extend the limited warranty^* that accompanies your new hardware. And if your notebook computer comes standard with mail-in repair service, consider upgrading to same-day or next business day on-site service^* for added convenience. This is especially important if you can't afford to be without your notebook for a period of time.

Though extended warranties - especially those sold in retail stores - have been criticized in the press recently, it's a mistake to assume that all extended warranties are equal. In fact, there are many good warranty values on the market. As CNET senior associate editor Molly Wood said, "Obviously an ideal warranty is an unlimited one, lasting for the life of the PC or the notebook and including 24/7 phone support. But such a warranty is rarer than a white buffalo. The best policies we've found seem to come from Dell, which, for example, offers a three-year parts-and-labor warranty on the Latitude D400 series, including lifetime 24/7 phone support, and next-business-day onsite service. That's as good a package as you're likely to find anywhere."^* (Note: the current ultra-light model available is the Latitude D420. The standard warranty includes mail-in service; on-site service is available for an additional $99.)

The bottom line? Select a warranty that fits your business needs - it's good business sense and can help you control unplanned expenses. Click here to learn more about Dell warranties and Dell on Call services.

Once your company experiences the benefits of wireless technology, you'll wonder how you ever did business without it. Instead of being chained to your desks, you and your team can have the freedom to work wherever and whenever you wish. Wireless networks and wireless-equipped notebooks allow employees to be productive virtually anywhere the day takes them.

Wireless networks provide the benefits of a traditional network at a fraction of the cost. In fact, your small business can gain a wealth of advantages through wireless technology and enable you to:

Share peripherals, such as printers and scanners Share a high-speed Internet connection Work and communicate where and when you need to: throughout the office, on the road and at home Share and transfer files among employees Collaborate with clients and customers Get your network up and running quickly and cost-effectively Have a network that is easily scalable to enable the addition of more users

More information on the benefits of wireless, visit HyperConnect^TM  with Dell.

Because information is the lifeblood of most companies, losing data can be catastrophic on your small business. Fortunately, the technology marketplace offers a wide range of data backup and restoration solutions that can help keep your information safe, secure and only in the places where it belongs. In fact, Dell can help you manage data sprawl, prepare for data growth and keep your data protected with a full range of storage solutions that have the scalability to meet your changing data storage needs.

For most small business, the two main choices for data back-up systems are 1) online back-up in which your data is securely transferred on the Internet to an online data back-up vendor and 2) back-up to an external hard-drive, where a copy of the data stored on your computer's hard drive is transferred to an external hard drive.

Both options are affordable and won't require a lot of your time. For more storage solutions, go to www.dell.com/storage and click on Small Business.

Spam, viruses, worms, Trojan horses and a host of other malicious intruders can wreak havoc on your data, network and systems - draining valuable time and productivity from your small business. To keep that from happening at your company, be sure to install - and consistently update - a security software suite on all your desktops, notebooks and wireless devices. For extra peace of mind, be sure to use software from leading vendors, such as Symantec or McAfee.

Dell's Security Solution Center offers a wealth of information to help protect your business and specific security tips and articles are available here on Small Business 360.

Although for most companies, success is synonymous with growth, not all small businesses grow at the same pace. That's why - when you're crafting your technology success plan - you should seek out a flexible and easily manageable solution that will enable you to grow your network along with your business. The most critical component of this solution is your server.

However, if you're like the majority of small businesses, you probably don't have the time, money, expertise, or even the desire, to manage a complex server-based network. Fortunately, that's not necessary. Manufacturers like Dell offer a full line of server solutions, all designed to help small businesses simplify network management - helping you spend less time with your technology and more time running your business.

If you are a first-time server buyer, check out Server Networking Basics for more information on server-based networks and how to get started networking your business.

Although most small business owners recognize that using up-to-date technology and refreshing out-of-date equipment can give you a definite edge, some small businesses are reluctant to take those steps because of worries about preserving capital.

Worry no more. Leasing is proving to be a good solution for many small businesses when it comes to keeping technology current with minimal impact on your budget. It allows you to conserve capital for other critical purchases, operate with new technology and shop in one place for all your technology needs.

Leasing also gives you tremendous flexibility and makes it easy to keep your technology refreshed. At the end of your lease, there are a variety of options to help you make the best decision for your business. In general, you can renew the existing lease, begin a new lease with upgraded technology, purchase the equipment according to the lease terms or return it.

Dell makes leasing even easier by offering a one-stop-shop for small businesses. With Dell, you can obtain and lease your technology in just one transaction, with competitive rates, a variety of seasonal promotions and direct customer services. For more information on the right financing option for your small business, visit www.dell.com/smb/financing.