A lot of small businesses nowadays feel that they have to go big with the latest and greatest technologies. The problem is that much of the “latest and greatest” technologies are really just expensive and don’t provide the bang for your buck that many open source and web-based products provide. The sad thing is that, if you start off on the wrong foot in developing your technology infrastructure, it could mean big money down the road. Fortunately, open source technologies have made a huge leap in the last couple of years, and if you own a small business that means you have more ways to save money so you can focus on more important things.
Photo by mkosut
Your Small Business Network
Although cloud computing is becoming the hot new item on the block, it is still a very good idea to build a local-area network (LAN) for your business. A business LAN could be as simple as two PCs and file server, or you can go big and have a domain controller and so on (I will not bore with any more technical jargon, thank you). This can easily be done by purchasing some decent hardware and using open source operating system software such as Ubuntu, or Open Suse. Here are some good how to guides:
- The Perfect Server – Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope (Ubuntu 9.04) [ISPConfig 2]
- The Perfect Desktop – Ubuntu Studio 9.04
- The Perfect Server – OpenSUSE 11.1 [ISPConfig 3]
Your Web Presence
I will make this short and sweet. Go buy a domain name (i.e. yourdomain.com) at a place like NameCheap, and build a website or blog. If you don’t have the cash to pay for a custom web design, there are a lot of great templates out there that you can get for free. I recommend using WordPress so that you can a great site, that also acts as a blog (also check out How to Build a Church Website on the Cheap). Here are some good free templates:
- 99 Free High Quality XHTML Templates
- 70 Super Clean Minimalist Designs (Free templates near the bottom)
Get Your Office Software for Free
Once you have your domain name, head on over to Google Apps Standard. It’s free, and it can run everything from email to your office software needs via Gmail and Google Docs. If you want something a little more powerful, and if you listened to me and used an open source Linux operating system, all you have to do is go to your operating system’s respective add/remove software repository and install OpenOffice.org – a free and powerful office suite – with only a few clicks of the mouse.
The Cost Savings are Substantial
You can typically save more than 1/3 of the cost of what you would normally spend on your technology infrastructure by taking advantage of the free software that is out there today. While it may entail a bit of a learning curve, it’s well worth the money. Many Linux distributions have become very user friendly, and I’m sorry, but I’d rather save money and learn something new than spend a boat load on familiar software that sucks (relatively speaking). Here are somarticles on the cost savings of current and upcoming open source operating systems:
- One Small Business Saves Over 100K in Tech Costs with Ubuntu
- IBM-Ubuntu Package Offers Alternative To Windows 7
custom web design, open source software, open source technologies, small business network, ways to save money, web based products
Jerry Kohlbrand
October 30, 2009 at 6:50 amThanks, Dean, for some wonderful insight into working "on the cheap"!I recently re-loaded a laptop with a fresh OS. I had the beta version of 7 on and it was going to expire. After loading the fresh copy of XP Pro, I began reloading "freeware" instead of the MS office products I already own. I have found it very beneficial and educational, being a Printer by trade, to have a spare machine around to do a little "pioneer" work on, so if it "crashes" or there are compatibility issues, I am not dead in the water. Pretty impressed so far with the software from OpenOffice.org. What I had NOT considered, and you have now inspired me to take action, IN MY SPARE TIME, ok, have to chuckle here….is take a spare desktop and build a "server on the cheap"! Certainly was not looking to adding anything to my "so well manged schedule", but putting a "carrot" or challenge out like that, has me looking at putting something into use, and learning "on the fly" and doing it "on the cheap"!Keep on sharing your wisdom with us old folks! Lord knows many of us would just as soon tell the world about Jesus from a rotary phone, as to learn and try something new like blogging or pod-casting! (you may have to google "land line and rotary phone" to know what I am talking about)
Your Brother in Christ, Jerry Kohlbrand aka Bro Jer
Dean Soto
October 30, 2009 at 9:12 amHey Jerry, haha that's awesome! It's so neat to know that I'm not just blowing smoke and that a professional like you is actually finding value in the open source software that it out there right now. It's only going to get better, my friend! With all of the stuff that you do, YOU should be writing this blog. After looking at all of the things that you do and support, via your blog, I don't know when you have time to sleep, lol! I really do recommend the server though, with as cheap as it is, there's not reason not to (aside from having the time to do it). The cool thing with the new realeses of Ubuntu is that you also get 2GB free with their cloud computing service that syncs files to all of your computers too. It's going to be pretty sweet.I need some of YOUR wisdom. Seriously, maybe we could do an interview on how you manage your work and prayer some time (if you ever have time lol). What is this land…. line.. you speak of? Haha, j/kGod bless!
Jerry Kohlbrand
October 30, 2009 at 12:01 pmskype search jerrykohlif you can find a rotary phone, i do have a real land line!
not sure why…nostalgia…yea yea, that's itwould be more than happy to learn from you, and maybe the ole gray guy has sumptin to share! What were we talking about? Is it still Thursday? Not sure I am managing "tiime" very well right now. (trying to buy some on ebay…nutin) Yet, it is not about our…. "ability" but our….. "availability" that lets the Lord work through us! That….is what it is all about anywho! Yo Bro in Christ, Jer
Dean Soto
November 1, 2009 at 5:10 pmThanks for the great chat on Skype. It was really motivating and spirit filled. Sorry that I couldn't do the interview. I updated to Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) and my screencast software didn't want to work with it. I'll fix it for next time! God bless bro!