When you have several cost-effective options like cloud computing and managed services providers, IT spending should never get out of control. And if you want to cut back even further, trade in your expensive desktops for thin and zero clients.

What are thin and zero clients?
Thin clients are stripped-down computers with minimum processing power and memory.

For some businesses, power loss could result in profit loss. Natural disasters such as storms and hurricanes, construction or utility accidents, and other unforeseeable technical failures can put your business’s operations to a grinding halt. Businesses that depend on a continuous power supply to function might endure a slight disruption, but some might not.

For all the talk about server hardware and capacity, none of it means a thing if you aren’t carefully managing the physical space surrounding your server. If you’re worried about getting the most out of your investment, follow these four tips for taking better care of your hardware.

Keeping your laptop plugged in all the time doesn’t solve your battery problems. It may keep your laptop fully charged for a day, but this practice may do more harm than good in the long run. Luckily, there are quick-and-easy fixes and long-term solutions to help save battery power on your laptop.

As workplace IT gets more and more hi-tech, the average user gets further from the building blocks that keep it running. At times that seems like a good thing, but if you aren’t aware of the most basic aspects of your hardware, you could be vulnerable to a nasty cyber attack.

Do you have security measures in place for your office’s printers? By “security,” we don't mean locked doors or watchful guards; we're referring to security against hackers that use printers as a weapon. Despite many companies going paperless, printers are still essential in most offices.

Not too long ago, the thought of being able to access printers from your computer, tablets or smartphones was almost unheard of. But today, it’s a completely different story -- enter Google’s Cloud service. Now you can access both regular and Internet-enabled printers through the web.

Consumers purchase millions of dollars in new software and hardware every year. Many of the products they buy stay current only for a short period of time, but the money that passes through the economy cannot be under-appreciated. If you have come up with the perfect software or hardware, it is tempting to work on licensing it right away and get your piece of the proverbial pie.

Is having the best computer for your small business really that necessary? The answer is a resounding yes. Given the changes in the business environment, entrepreneurs are fiercely competing for a place in the hearts of consumers. And that requires having the right kind of computers.