ED 52 (Nov-Dec 2013)

MARKET INTELLIGENCE
customers. Gone are the days where
businesses could rely on just ledgerbooks
and handwritten receipts.
In order to truly grow and maintain
their edge in a competitive world,
companies should utilise technology
to streamline their workow.
Constantly dropping costs and
increasing innovations in technology
mean that purchasing the right tools for
SMEs is easier than ever. The cost of
purchasing technological advantages
is constantly dropping. Starting up
a website or obtaining a laptop for
mobile computing is more affordable
now. Additionally, being able to keep
your tech updated as well as investing
in data storage and security services
mean SMEs do not have to spend
much to protect themselves from the
unexpected. Here are some things
which SMEs should look out for when
investing in technology.
Firstly, SMEs need to understand
and know their staff computing
needs from a business and end-user
perspective, and nd the right laptop
to suit needs and requirements. With
the pervasiveness of the BYOD (Bring
Your Own Device) trend - Gartner
data shows that 25 per cent of
end users in Singapore are already
bringing their personal devices to
work – this creates a need to balance
considerations such as security and
other company requirements with
what staff look for in a personal device,
such as the ‘cool’ design factor and
the ability to stay connected roundthe-clock.
The latest multi-mode
laptops such as Lenovo’s ThinkPad
Helix are designed for BYOD, with
security and manageability features to
satisfy company needs coupled with
a detachable design for portability and
a whole host of applications that help
users stay connected while on the go.
SMEs should also consider the
prospect of scalability - involving the
maximisation of computing resources
within pre-dened infrastructure – be
it internet connectivity, le-sharing,
or even IT support. There are certain
management and productivity tools
such as Lenovo’s ThinkVantage
Technologies, which automate some
of the above tasks, and ultimately help
to enhance manageability and lower
TCO. The connectivity, collaboration
and self-help features built into certain
PCs help SMEs ensure that their
computing platform remains highly
scalable.
At the same time, SMBs should look
closely at the hardware that they
purchase. Insist on reliable hardware
features such as durable hinges, spill
resistant keyboards and an Active
Protection System that protects your
PC hard disk drive from crashes and
drops to built-in software advantages
such as Lenovo Enhanced Experience
8 for Windows 8 (EE 8) which allows
faster boot time and a secure
centralised password manager –
these tools not only power SMEs but
protect them as well.
The other area that SMEs should be
looking into is networked storage.
The consumerisation of IT means that
employees are probably toting more
than one device around – be it tablet,
laptop or smartphone. Networked
storage allows content to be easily
accessed across any device, which
comes in handy for troubleshooting
or attending to service issues. In
addition, it enables collaborative
work – multiple employees can be
contributing to a single document
stored on the network. All this
streamlines workow processes and
create greater efciencies.
Whether you are an SME that wishes
to revamp current physical retail
methods, or an online-based start-up
offering IT services, the advantages
of embracing the digital space are
endless and advantageous. When
moving into the digital space, whether
by starting a website, providing online
customer care support, creating an
online purchasing system or even
tracking deliveries and orders via
the web, PCs and storage become
central to the success of the business.
The world of SMEs is entering an era
of PC Plus evolution – and selecting
the right technologies to cater to your
specic business needs, will help you
grow your business wisely. E
Jessie Quek
Country General Manager
Lenovo Singapore
NOV DEC 2013
ENTREPRENEURS’ DIGEST
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