Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine room of
the UK economy, accounting for more than half the UK's annual
turnover. Each week we will highlight the key technology issues and
challenges facing the sector.
Business leaders should speculate to
accumulate
Businesses that use technology innovatively realise significant
gains according to Liz Grant, director of e-policy at the
government's UK Online for business.
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Half of SMEs have no IT strategy
In the first part of our exclusive research into how small and
medium-sized enterprises view and use technology. Helen Beckett
examines how many have an IT strategy.
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How to get more from your server
How can smaller firms improve on server performance without
compromising on budget or office space? The answer, according to
accountants French Duncan, is free open-source software and virtual
servers.
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Efficency aims boost IT spend
In the second of our reports on exclusive research into how
small and medium-sized enterprises view and use technology, Helen
Beckett examines what is driving adoption of IT by SMEs.
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Experience counts in IT procurement
Lawyer Michael Bywell explains the pitfalls to avoid when
investing in new technology.
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SMEs buckle under spam and virus deluge
Many small businesses lack the experience to contend with the
onslaught of technology, says Peter Scargill.
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What's in IT for you?
Mobile computing can make it easier for the smaller company to
do business. But make sure you get the technology that is right for
you, writes Antony Savvas.
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Scalability is key to growth
What factors should you consider when choosing a system to help
your smaller organisation grow quickly? For Newcross Nursing the
answer was to find a scalable approach at the outset. Liz Warren
reports.
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New ideas spark SME imagination
Helen Beckett examines how SMEs respond to emerging technologies
in our third report on exclusive research into how small and
medium-sized enterprises view and use technology.
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You can't duck responsibility for your data
Lawyer Usha Jagessar explains your duties and liabilities under
the Data Protection Act.
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Apply common sense to reduce IT costs
Gartner offers advice on how SMEs can make better use of their
IT resources.
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Jump on to the broadband wagon
Broadband brings faster internet links but smaller firms can
also benefit from having an always-on connection or the advantages
and rmote access to applications, writes Ross Bentley.
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Is an e-mail in the handheld worth two in the
pipeline?
Clever gadgets are no good for keeping in touch with a mobile
workforce unless you have clever software to make sure you can get
the best out of them. Liz Warren reports on how a software
publishing company got to grips with its handheld devices.
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Insecurities about security
In our final analysis of exclusive research into how small and
medium-sized enterprises view and use technology Helen Beckett
looks at how they respond to threats, both real and imagined, from
viruses and hackers.
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Unlock intellectual property potential
Lawyer Mathilde Heaton explains how to exploit your intellectual
property rights
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Public sector deals will benefit from small firms'
input
The Office of Government Commerce is urging SMEs to use the
internet to win government contracts, says Suzy Fenn
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Waiting for XML to come of age
XML and web services are promising technologies that could
revolutionise small business interactions - but approach them with
caution, warns Danny Bradbury
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Good basics get you growing
The key to healthy plant growth is in the roots. Hayes Garden
World found that rooting its business in a strong accounts system
helped it to expand. Liz Warren reports
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Click here for Supplement Part One >>