Get Empowered With SWK

Windows XP Faster than Vista for Business Applications

Small business owners must always get the most out of every resource. This is particularly true of computer systems. Nothing can hold an entire business back more than a slow computer system.

Recent performance testing of the new Microsoft Vista compared to Windows XP revealed these results:

"Windows XP trounced Windows Vista in all tests, regardless of the versions used or the amount of memory running on the computer"   Paul McGougal reports for Information Week

Study Says We Are Working 24 Hours A Day

A recent study conducted by Staples, reports these results:

"More small-business owners and managers are working harder than ever to make their business dreams come true... even while they sleep. According to the 2nd Annual Staples National Small-Business Survey, more than half of small-business professionals said that work has actually become part of their dreams. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said that they "sleepwork" (i.e. dream about work), and nearly 70 percent of those "sleepworkers" report they wake up and put their "work dreams" to action." Fox Business News

Multitasking, Blessing or a Curse?

Have your high tech devices made you into multitasker? Do you thrive on the challenge and stimulation of multitasking? Are you more productive working this way? Or is it just an apparency?

Some argue that multi-tasking reduces real productivity and leads to mistakes. Others view it as an essential skill in the fast paced business world we live in. Both are probably right. Finding a balance that works for you is the key.

Web 2.0? Small Businesses Say No Thanks!

Web 2.0 is all the buzz among the "latest and greatest" tech community. But, on the on-line guide to Small-Business Technology, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com Lauren Simmonds reports a different story:

"It's no secret that lots of companies want to sell to the small business market — including other small businesses. After all, 24.7 million such companies make a sizable piece of financial pie. If your income depends on selling to this market, a recent study conducted by Bredin Business Information shows that when it comes to obtaining business-management information, small businesses just say no to Web 2.0.

"When it comes to Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, marketers think, 'Oh, this is cool, therefore I must do it,'" Stu Richards, CEO of Bredin Business Information, said. "But small business owners are so time-starved, they're not just going to do something because of the buzz." See the article here

Frustrated by Google Search?

Using Google for business research can be a frustrating exercise. You need intelligence on your prospects, customers, industry and competitors, but with Google you sometimes come up empty handed.

To get a better results read this article by Margaret Locher for CIO magazine.

Six Techniques to Get More from the Web than Google Will Tell You.

"Google is great, but it can't always tell you what makes a website or source of research material authoritative. Professional librarians and researchers explain where to look online to find the professional, technical and industry expertise you need." Read The Article Here

E-Mail and Productivity

As the use or "misuse" of e-mail continues to grow the impact on employee productivity has also grown but not necessarily for the better.

Used effectively e-mail is an essential business tool that is universally recognized for raising productivity. Used incorrectly it can cause great productivity drain.

Here are several tips to help your e-mail to be a clear boost to productivity.

Great Tool for Managing Business Cards

CardScan Contact Management Solutions are the epitome of useful technology.

With these tools you can quickly turn a chaotic pile of business cards into truly useful information.

There is an interesting story behind these great products.

Manufacturing Company Wins with Technology

MicroMod Automation a manufacturer of advanced process control equipment faced the challenge of find business management software to handle unique custom fabrication requirements, multiple facilities, and deliver excellent customer service.

They found their solution in Sage MAS 90 and JobOps.

As a results they were able improve estimating, achieve accurate costing and deliver superior service to their customers.

Pat Carpenter of Micromod Automation says “What we do would be next to impossible without JobOps, it would be an overwhelmingly cumbersome manual process. With JobOps, we’re able to serve our customers and make money doing it.”