75 Startup Secrets

 

Here are the tips, tricks and inside info you need when starting a business

 

There's more to equipping your new business with the right technology than just walking into a big-box store and buying a desktop off the shelf. Much more. Think about the technology your startup will need beyond today--because a little planning and some smart buying decisions will help keep your business running smoothly during your startup days and beyond.

36. Start with a network. A lot of entrepreneurs aren't sure where to begin when it comes to buying and setting up the technology they need for their startups. Your network is your backbone, so start there. "You need to have a client/server-based network operating system," says Greg Alevizos, manager of professional services with Salem, Massachusetts-based IT consulting firm New England Network Group. "You want to have at least one server that has file and printer services and is configured to back all that up." Don't worry if this sounds like more than you want to tackle on your own--just see tip No. 42.

37. Get dedicated internet access. Dial-ups need not apply. But you do need enough broadband bandwidth to handle the employees you plan to hire--now or in the future. You can look into getting DSL, cable or higher-end internet solutions like a T1 line, which can handle up to 100 users. "If you go with a lower-end solution, you might not get the service-level agreement, which means that if your internet line goes down, they don't have to fix it in a hurry," says Alevizos. "You don't want to skimp on that."

38. Get anti-virus protection. This is a must in Alevizos' book. Instead of having a hodgepodge of applications on everyone's computers, consider getting an anti-virus package that resides on your server. It will be easier to manage in the long run.

39. Back it up. Do not skip this tip--data backup is a must. Alevizos recommends three different kinds of backup: 1) tape backup, an old standby that requires a bit of watching; 2) backing up off-site, or online through a third-party provider; or 3) installing a network-attached storage system at your place of business. "If you [use] two of [these methods]," says Alevizos, "then you have close to a 100 percent guarantee that you have viable backups that can be restored."

40. Don't buy your computers piecemeal. "It's ideal to get a homogenous environment so that all the machines are identical hardware-wise," says Alevizos. "The maintenance needs go down, and the total cost of ownership goes down in terms of scalability." He recommends staying with major vendors like Dell or Hewlett-Packard and getting a warranty and a service contract.

41. Buy printers that meet your needs. Alevizos points out that every startup should have a heavy-duty, network-capable printer--often a black-and-white laser will do. "If [you have] a need for color printing in [your] business model, it's a good idea to make the investment in a workhorse network-capable color laser printer," he says. Prices are more affordable than ever, and a color laser can save you from racking up big bills at the copy shop.

42. Know when to get outside help. "If you don't have in-house IT [staff], you definitely want to bring someone in during the initial stages to set up the baseline of the network," says Alevizos. It's important to get your network up and running efficiently from the get-go, and most entrepreneurs don't have the time or the expertise to do it themselves.

43. Plan for the future. Following the tips above will help you not only during your initial startup phase, but also as your company grows. You'll be prepared to add employees and still keep a handle on your technology. Just don't forget to budget in some ongoing expenses. Says Alevizos, "Don't put the blinders on when you're looking at your IT expenses annually. Never assume that the initial cost is the only cost you're going to have for any IT solution."