Networking & Communications

Filtering the Hype on New Web Tools

July 25, 2008 | It pays for small and midsize businesses to employ best practices -- and keep customers in mind -- before implementing the latest Web technologies.
By Peter Alexander, Courtesy of Cisco

WiMax Stumbling Out of the Gate

July 24, 2008 | Like many technologies ballyhooed before the first customer use, WiMax hasn't moved smoothly from the development lab to the mainstream. That's compromising Sprint's plan to use WiMax to support wireless services for small and midsize businesses.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Mid-Market Heroes: TodaysMama's Rachael Herrscher Proves Women Can Have it All

July 23, 2008 | Rachael Herrscher is seeking work/life balance not just for herself but for the 30 employees of TodaysMama, the business she co-founded four years ago. She found what she was looking for with the help of tech tools, from smartphones to IM to collaboration. Now, TodaysMama is no longer just a business; it has become a community.
By Naomi Grossman

Telephone Solutions for Smaller Businesses: Affordability is Finally Here

July 22, 2008 | The telephone is probably among the oldest of office appliances -- and still one of the most standard ways of communicating with customers. Now a number of vendors are making systems that combine analog phone lines and Internet telephony and, most important, are affordable for smaller businesses.
By Ramon Ray, Small Biz Technology

CEO Cheat Sheet: Greening the Data Center

July 18, 2008  | Cut your energy costs with a few quick, easy tips for greening your data center, from Cisco System's Jimmy Ray Purser
Courtesy of Cisco Systems

CEO Cheat Sheet: Greening the Data Center

July 18, 2008 | Cut your energy costs with a few quick, easy tips for greening your data center, from Cisco's Jimmy Ray Purser
By Naomi Grossman, Courtesy of Cisco

Q&A With Plaxo's John McCrea: The Business Value of Social Networking

July 14, 2008 | As social networks become ubiquitous, small and midsize businesses need to understand how they can exploit them to create business value. bMighty spoke with Plaxo's John McCrea to learn why smaller businesses need to get into social media now, how to do it, and what's about to change.
By Naomi Grossman

When Speed Just Isn't Enough: A Network Quality Check

July 11, 2008 | As your smaller business' network traffic grows, getting faster switches isn't your only option. Jimmy Ray Purser says that paying attention to a network's quality of service -- by classifying packets as they enter your network -- can be just as important
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

Fewer Choices for Wireless Customers

July 8, 2008 | The transformation of two of the largest wireless carriers from fierce combatants to family members strengthens Verizon and provides Alltel with a market exit, but doesn't help smaller businesses. The wireless market is consolidating around a few dominant players, and a lack of competition inevitably helps vendors, not customers.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Closing the Gap with Larger Competitors

July 3, 2008 | A converged network allows small and midsize businesses to regain their edge over their larger competitors and once again get closer to their customers
By Doug Dennerline, Courtesy of Cisco

Microsoft Inches Closer to Enterprise Management Play

June 30, 2008 | The challenges of network and systems management give many IT technicians in smaller businesses ulcers. Trying to manage and troubleshoot a hodgepodge of increasing complex devices can be vexing, but help is taking shape on the far horizon
By Paul Korzeniowski

Web 2.0 Tactics for Business Success

June 27, 2008 | If small and midsize businesses knew how to harness the incredible power of Web 2.0, they could truly level the playing field. TechWeb's Jennifer Pahlka explains how smaller businesses can get started with Web 2.0 and which tools will help them succeed
By Naomi Grossman, Courtesy of Cisco

Plan Now to Make the Most of 802.11n

June 25, 2008 | With the promise of higher speed and longer range, the 802.11n wireless standard can't be finalized soon enough. But the wait for a final approval gives smaller businesses time to assess their needs and plan strategically to make the most of the new standard.
By Mark Tauschek, Courtesy of Info-Tech Research Group

802.11n Wi-Fi: Is n for Now, or Not Yet?

June 25, 2008 | Is it time for small and midsize companies to make the move to 802.11n? Or are there compelling reasons to stick with 802.11a/b/g a while longer?
By Fredric Paul

Networking Giant Attempts To Unify Management Tools

June 24, 2008 | Network management tools are here, there, everywhere -- one for wired connections, another for Wi-Fi LANs, and a third for cellular links. Many vendors have tried to consolidate these different tools and recently a networking giant took on the challenge. Smaller businesses may not be ready to revamp their network management yet, but in time, Cisco's move may ease network management headaches.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Enterprise 2.0 Tools for Growing Companies

June 23, 2008 | Bringing Web 2.0 tools into the workplace was a hot topic at Enterprise 2.0. From new products and services to the emerging technology trends, the show was awash in opportunities for smaller businesses to increase their competitive advantage by adopting Web 2.0 tools that can level the playing field.
By Naomi Grossman

How to Build Your Very Own Hack Lab -- on the Cheap!

June 20, 2008 | Truly understanding network security only comes with hands-on experience. Building your own hack lab can give you the skills you need to become a network security expert. Jimmy Ray Purser takes you step-by-step through that process
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

Online Video: Show and Tell For Smaller Businesses

June 19, 2008 | With its ability to let customers do the talking, online video testimonials are one of the most effective ways for smaller businesses to get the word out about what they do. And with the recent spate of digital video products that have hit the market, it is now even easier -- and more affordable
By Heather Clancy

How I Hack Your Layer 2 Network

June 13, 2008 | Many smaller businesses think they have to put up with lower end security because they cannot afford more expensive enterprise gear. Jimmy Ray says that's not true -- and he wants to show smaller business how to keep their networks secure, on a budget
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

E-Mail Archiving for Smaller Businesses

June 11, 2008 | E-mail pours into businesses every day and it never stops. How to turn that flood into an asset? By selecting an e-mail archiving system that meets their needs, smaller businesses can protect themselves from litigation, boost productivity, and ensure business continuity.
By Jake Widman

Hackers Follow Users to Social Networks

June 10, 2008 | What's the latest threat to your company network? Social networks. Why should you care? Because your employees probably use social networks and, odds are, they're using your computers to do it.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Midmarket Heroes: Scuba Toys -- Scuba Community Dives into Web 2.0

June 10, 2008 | Founding a scuba gear company in a landlocked part of Texas might not seem like the best idea. But Scuba Toy's founder Larry Dague has used Web 2.0 to reach scuba divers around the world -- and create a community of divers that keep coming back for more
By Naomi Grossman

CEO Cheat Sheet: The Benefits of Collaboration Tools

June 6, 2008  | Smaller businesses can simplify processes and enhance relationships using collaboration tools. MIT Professor Erik Brynjolfsson explains how and looks at the technologies improving these tools.
Courtesy of Cisco Systems

Q&A With Thomas Harpointner: E-Mail Marketing vs. Snail Mail for Smaller Businesses

June 2, 2008 | Rising stamp costs may make smaller businesses think twice about going to the post office. Online advertising expert Thomas Harpointner explains when it's still necessary to make the trip and when to avoid it at all costs
By Naomi Grossman

Q&A With Adam Lloyd Eiseman of Lloyd Group: How to Transform Technology from Headache to Asset

May 30, 2008 | Small and midsize businesses don't have the resources to develop a technology strategy. Lloyd Group's Adam Eiseman suggests that a relationship with a trusted technology partner can be just as powerful in ensuring that smaller businesses maximize the business value of their networks
By Ewan Morrison, Courtesy of Cisco