Technology vendors are starting to recognize this important trend and are tailoring their products for the small business worker. Hewlett-Packard Company, for example, is breaking new ground with its recent introduction of the HP Vectra 500 Series PC, which is designed specifically for small business users and is ready to work right out of the box.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), there are 21.5 million small businesses in the U.S. today (which the SBA defines as businesses with fewer than 500 employees). This fact creates a significant economic force-small businesses employ 54 percent of the private workforce, contribute 52 percent of all sales in the country and create two out of every three new jobs. And the number of small businesses is expected to keep growing, particularly in service industries such as food supply and restaurants, wholesale trade, employment agencies, child and residential care, and a host of contracting, consulting and direct customer-service trades.
While these businesses depend more and more on technology, the average user is not a technology expert. First and foremost, small business workers need technology that is easy to use and dependable, since a down PC can bring business to a standstill.
In designing the new HP Vectra 500 Series PC, HP studied the work habits of small businesses and developed a PC centered on communications, usability and technical support. The HP Vectra 500 PC has all of the features of today's advanced personal computers-for example, Pentium®-based; Windows 95; built-in modem; integrated voicemail, E-mail, fax and paging; pre-loaded business productivity software-and also includes online, real-time support from HP, so it's simple to use and trouble-shoot. With one purchase, the small-business customer is ready to work out-of-the-box with all the essential communications and productivity tools.
As part of this PC series, HP and Microsoft® teamed up to introduce the HP & Microsoft Small Business Center, a set of special models combining the power and unique features of the HP Vectra 500 PC with a full range of Microsoft productivity software and hardware. HP also offers a full range of technology products ideal for small businesses, including the ScanJet 4p, a new low-cost scanner; the OfficeJet Series 300 printer-fax-copier-scanner family; a growing list of affordable laser and inkjet printers; hubs and cables for networking; and the NetServer LC, a low-end server product.
Following HP's lead, a number of other computer companies are expected to offer products tailored for the booming small business marketplace. (NAPSI)
