Welcome to the Small and Medium Business Technology Alliance (SMBTA).

Small and medium businesses make choices to stay competitive.  The Small and Medium Business Technology Alliance is the place to be informed for those decisions:

• “Up-to-date technology key to competitiveness, productivity.”  Ninety-six percent of small business decision makers believe new information technologies, such as computers, are a more valuable asset than ever.  Seventy-nine percent said key technology advancements such as mobility and security solutions need to be tracked to remain competitive.
• “Mobile access is a key trend.”  Sixty-seven percent of small business decision makers either work outside the office or have key staff members who do; 77 percent said mobility is important when working outside the office.
• “Expansion or scaling of computers and peripherals are important.”  Eighty-nine percent of small business decision makers believe it is important to buy systems that can be easily and cost-effectively expanded or scaled back to meet changing needs.
• Make small technology shifts…and preferably during a refresh cycle.  It’s usually easier to make mobility changes when buying new systems every three years.  However, because knowledge workers can benefit almost immediately from new mobility products, small businesses should evaluate by improved productivity.
• Evaluate carefully various wireless technologies.  Although many mobile products such as notebooks, tablets and PDAs are ready for prime time, not all wireless technologies are at the same maturity level.  For instance, some cellular data networks and wireless wide-area networks in various parts of the world are still being deployed and are relatively costly to use.  Small businesses should evaluate specific technologies based on need and availability.
• Protect your mobile devices.  Analysts’ reports indicate about 90 percent of mobile devices lack protection to ward off hackers.  Also, identity theft is on the rise as users accidentally lose their mobile devices, which are full of confidential enterprise data.  Small businesses are advised to install mobile firewalls and purchase mobile management tools.
• Claim only 50 percent of entertainment expenses.  The days of deducting 100 percent of entertainment expenses are long gone.  The 50 percent rule applies to business entertainment such as taking clients to concerts, dinners or sporting events.  The only exception is employee social events such as parties and picnics, which are 100 percent deductible.

Visit SMBTA.com often for the latest information needed to make your small and medium business technology decisions effective.