OC-IT

For many small and medium-sized businesses, the cost of maintaining an old PC may be more expensive than upgrading to a new one.

Surprise, surprise! According to Forrester Research , an analyst firm, small businesses buy and use software differently than their larger brethren. More than 2,200 IT executives and technology decision-makers in North America and Europe were polled, and the findings show that: small businesses are more likely to purchase software than build their own they are wary of open source software because of security and support issues interest in SaaS is growing but total cost of ownership is a concern they are more optimistic than big businesses and will allocate a greater portion of their IT spend on software These conclusions come from the recent Forrester Research report The State Of SMB Software: 2009 and data from Forrester’s Enterprise and SMB Software Survey “Enterprise Versus SMB: Who Influences Your Software Purchasing Decisions?” and “Software Budget Outlook And Preferred Purchasing Channels By Company Size: 2008 To 2009”

When you have to lay off staff, software-as-a-service can often make up the difference, especially in sales and marketing. Every business wants a hot niche, and Starr Tincup had one. In 2003, the Fort Worth marketing and advertising startup decided to cater to software makers in the human resources industry—and quickly signed 20 customers.

Microsoft Dynamics is committed to helping credit-approved customers gain access to capital and invest in their businesses even in uncertain times. REDMOND, Wash. — Nov.