managing Technology

Watchful Eyes: Outsourcing Video Surveillance

By Jean Thilmany

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance does more than monitor cash registers. With specialized software, in-store cameras can stream video to a private site, where images can be searched and categorized. Can this boost productivity at your business?

Video surveillance cameras are no longer static fixtures that hang about unnoticed, their tapes only reviewed when the grim need arises. A number of managed service vendors are stepping up to provide round-the-clock digital access to video content via a subscription service, usually paid monthly.

Online Advertising through Social Media
Social media presents an opportunity for advertisers. But it’s been difficult for advertisers to measure ad effectiveness when the social media audience is so fragmented -- until now.
Turn Social Networks into Your Recruiter
If corporate recruiters can mine Facebook and LinkedIn for job candidates, small businesses can too. Social networks can level the playing field, and can be used to try lots of different recruiting initiatives.
How to Fill IT Jobs in Hot Categories
Demand for experienced IT professionals is high, so small businesses have to be creative to fill open positions, including tapping existing employees, using outside agencies and contracting with IT outsourcers.
Providing Remote Tech Support to Workers
What are the best ways for a small or mid-sized business to provide efficient help desk support to employees? Software? Hardware? On-demand services? Or a solution in a box?
Log Management: What's in Your Log Files?
Log files are like internal surveillance cameras, recording everything that happens inside servers, network devices, and some applications. Here's how to make the best use of this data.

Let’s Get Visible: Supply Chain Technology
A variety of technologies -- from software programs to hardware such as RFID -- now lets businesses see into their supply chain to ensure that the right resources and the right materials move to the right place at the right time.
Managing Tech for Non-Techies
Overseeing technology projects can be daunting for non-geeks. Here's how to do it effectively.
10 Money-Saving Technologies
In a recession, sometimes spending a bit on technology can actually end up saving your business money over the long term. Investments in virtualization, thin clients, Web conferencing, and other technologies can pay off.
Find a Top-Notch Managed Service Provider
Off-loading management of your computer systems to an MSP can make a lot of sense, but only when the provider is good at what it does. Know what to ask, and you potentially save yourself aggravation, money, and time.
From Geek to Boss: Choosing Tech Leaders
Businesses too often promote the IT employees who are most skilled at technology to be the leaders of teams or departments. This can be a recipe for disaster, since tech know-how doesn’t always translate into people skills.