Make Smart IT Investments a New Year's Resolution

The new year is upon us, and small business owners may want to invest wisely in upgrades to their information technology systems.

Financial management software is an important component of any small business' IT package, but there are many other investments worth making. From security software programs to data backup hardware, to the office furnishings that employees use every day, opportunities are rife for better IT equipment.

Security Software: An Essential for Any Size Enterprise

With a new decade beginning—and a tumultuous past 10 years—the late 1990s seem like a lifetime ago. Computer security has come a long, long way since the days of Windows 98-equipped computers, but businesses need security software now more than ever.

Data security firm Imperva suggests that the creators of malware—software designed to steal users' information and disrupt computer networks—will become more like drug cartels in 2010, with a clearly defined supply chain. Password theft is likely to become a greater problem in the new year, too, Imperva says.

And antimalware software company BitDefender notes that new enterprise technologies may become the target of hackers in 2010. Virtualization systems and cloud computing are rising in popularity, but because they move sensitive data outside a company's network, the risk of serious security breaches is increased.

Robust security measures need to be taken by enterprise users to keep their data protected. In addition to installing software suites that offer antivirus, anti-spam and antimalware services, IT administrators should educate employees about computer safety.

And small businesses with outdated security programs may want to consider upgrading in 2010.

Backing Up Data: Expecting the Unexpected

Threats to organizations' data security don't just come from hackers and malware authors. If small businesses store data on-site, and most probably do, they risk losing data to faulty equipment or catastrophic events like fires and floods.

Many computer users rely on external hard drives to back up the data on their computers. External drives are useful and inexpensive; a portable drive with hundreds of gigabytes of capacity can be had for well under $100. And both Windows and Mac operating systems have backup programs built in, meaning that saving data to an external device is a set-it-and-forget-it proposition.

In the event of a fire or other disaster, though, external drives are no less susceptible to damage than computers. Small business owners may want to consider online backup services; PC World recommends Mozy, IDrive, and Carbonite for personal use.

The online services are simple to use, and customers only have to pay for the storage space they need. Small business owners who back up data to an online service can take heart in the event of a disaster that destroys their IT equipment: everything they need to get their business up and running again is stored in a data center hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Furnish an Office for Success

Office equipment is an often-overlooked piece of a company's IT infrastructure. Desks, chairs, and keyboards are hardly headline-grabbing, after all.

But equipment that ensures the safety and comfort of employees is one of the best IT investments a firm can make.

Adequate lighting, for example, can keep workers both happy and productive, even in the darkest days of winter. Chairs, a humble piece of furniture if ever there was one, can either help or hinder employees, as well.

Comfortable, ergonomically sound chairs are likely to cost more, but employees who spend a lot of time in front of a computer will appreciate the investment. Aeron chairs, awarded a place in the Museum of Modern Art, were expressly designed to be comfortable for computer users. They were touted as a "Gold Winner" in BusinessWeek magazine's 1999 "Designs of the Decade" issue; 10 years later, they're still comfortable.

Comfort isn't the only factor a business owner should consider in his equipment purchases. Safety is a major concern, too: Workers are at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome if their workstations aren't designed properly. Desks, monitors and chairs should be at a certain level to ensure employee safety.

In Conclusion

Financial management software is just one smart IT investment that a small business owner can make. Security programs, data backup services, and safe and comfortable equipment can ensure both data security and employee productivity. Small businesses rely on IT to run their businesses, and upgrading IT components can lead to an upgraded company.