Ways To Ease The Load

IT pros at small businesses don't have the luxury of big budgets to help train users, solve problems, and stay abreast of the latest technologies and products. But that doesn't mean they have an impossible job. Many tech pros rely on the Web sites and professional groups to keep up with the latest developments and find new ways to save time and money. Richard Allan Kelley, a systems administrator for a 50-person manufacturer, comparison shops for equipment and software at CDW.com and Newegg.com. He's also is a member of the Network Professional Association and attends the local chapter's Lunch-and-Learn sessions to gather information on new technologies and meet with peers. Matt Allen, IT manager for Freeman, a trade show producer, conducts 30-minute tutorials each week to help users make the most of applications and technology services. He encourages users to share what they've learned by offering a $5 Starbucks gift card to the first person who teaches a new feature to a colleague. For basic research on a wide range of subjects, Allen relies on some old favorites, including Google, Slashdot, and TechRepublic. He also has high praise for the computer channel of How Stuff Works, which he uses to get up to speed on topics such as spam and spyware. Each article usually has five or 10 additional links to related articles and other links to current news sources and sites related to a search, Allen says. A top resource for Allen is Info-Tech, a research group aimed at small and midsize businesses. A $500 annual subscription buys access to reports that include research, policy templates, and tools for a variety of tech sectors, such as end-user support, security, and e-mail. Return to the story: Ways To Survive The Small Shop Blues