Leveraging Open Source ApplicationsWritten by Cartika IT Solutions
Open Source applications can bring unique value to business owners. Since base application development costs of open source applications is free, small and medium business owners are able to leverage previously unobtainable technolgies against their sales objectives, operational costs and customer satisfaction levels. Most small and medium businesses cannot afford typical IT infrastructure model - nor does it make sense even if it is within their budget. Consider following expenses: - Hardware Infrastructure (Servers, Routers, etc) - Bandwith - Software licenses - Software maintenance - IT Staff The creation, countinued adoption and proliferation of Linux (Open Source Operating System) in many server installations across world has changed way businesses run their IT operations. Although Linux is not yet a viable technolgy in workstation model, it most certainly has gained a large market share in server/application world. Companies adopting Linux into their server environment have realized decreased costs, increased efficiency and increased security associated with this platform. The secret is now out and organizations are jumping Microsoft ship at an ever increasing rate. This trend has not been lost on major players in IT industry, as IBM and Novell have been furiously waving Linux banner and adopting Linux penguin into all their marketing efforts over last 12-24 months. What does this mean to typical Small & Medium Business Owner? Since proliferation of Linux, many applications have been developed by programmers from around world to run on this platform. Pretty much any application a business could require, no matter how specialized, can now be found in Open Source community. By choosing an ASP (Application Service Provider) provider that has experience with these applications, and necessary infrastructure to host, manage & support these applications for you, a business owner can now leverage core business applications at a fraction of traditional, "expected" costs. Although IBM has never been able to capitalize or deliver on their now famous marketing slogan "Pay like a little guy, Play like a big guy" - Savy business owners are learning how to accomplish this, even if it isn't by calling IBM.
| | Book Review - Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds ProfitsWritten by Bonnie Jo Davis
This beautifully laid out trade paperback has a gorgeous and practical design both inside and out. I recommend you read this book with a highlighter and a pen and be ready to take copious notes in blank pages thoughtfully provided between chapters.Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits should be required reading for high school and college students and for anyone already in business environment. Once upon a time, good manners were taught in school and at home, but that time has long since passed. This book provides perfect refresher course for those of us who were taught manners but no longer remember finer points of etiquette. While reading this book I discovered that author, Lydia Ramsey, covered every conceivable point of etiquette including many that I'd never been taught. Each of twelve chapters covers one main topic broken down into digestible bite sized chunks of rules and guidelines to enhance credibility and professionalism. Topics include first impressions, greetings and introductions, art of conversation, dressing for business, telephone courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in business, etiquette in office, gift-giving in business, etiquette out of office, dining for profit and doing business internationally.
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