Go with the Technological Flow
Horror stories abound concerning damage caused by bad equipment and bad networking, and Owens stressed that it's critical to seek assistance from qualified, certified individuals, rather than friends who happen to be good with computers. "It's cheaper in the long run," he said.
Choosing software and integration systems requires careful consideration. "A lot of guys are going to handheld PDAs, but the functionality may not be there," cautioned Owens. He suggested a thorough review of office needs and Internet needs per workstation and noted that companies selling business systems can offer good recommendations for required hardware. "And, when it comes to networking systems, the old daisy chain of hardware in the office isn't going to cut it anymore. Distributors need to go to a hub and a router and put in the modern, affordable technology that's now available," he continued.