At a large or enterprise company, it is easy to find the technology solution you are looking for because so many companies spend the bulk of their marketing and sales efforts on selling to those companies. However, according to the US Census Bureau data and highlighted in Thoughtco.com article, "In 2010, there were 27.9 million small businesses in the United States, compared to 18,500 larger firms with 500 employees or more."  

There are other countless articles about it, but small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and you deserve the same level of support as the larger companies when it comes to IT.

This is the first of this article series "IT Checklist for New Businesses" to help you as a business owner identify what IT solutions are important along the way.  Depending on the business you are starting, there will be many paths to consider and we want you to be equipped no matter the business.

A caution before we start….each type of business could be drastically different based on what you will be doing.  However, we will try to go through the simple to the complex.  Start by answering the questions below and jot down your answers so we can come back to these.  

And FINALLY, If it feels overwhelming, it can be!   But don't panic yet, there are so many ways to help you address these and a lot of times many at once with a single solution.

General
1.  How would you classify the type of business you are opening (i.e. retail, consulting, etc.)
2.  Do you plan to have a website? If so, do you plan to build it yourself
3.  How many employees will you have from day 1? 90 days in?
4.  If renting an office, what is included in the lease?
5.  If the power went out, how would you operate your business?

Operations
1.  Do you plan to do the marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), advertising, etc.?
2.  How many computers, iPads, iPhones, etc. will you need to use?
3.  How much will you need to print for your business?
4.  Will you use stationary phone or will everything be done through cell phones?
5.  How many phone numbers will you need? Extensions?
6.  How critical is being connected to the internet to your business ? (i.e. will you lose money if you can't connect)
7.  Do you know the key applications you will be using for your business?
8.  Is there anything you would plan to outsource (i.e. bookkeeping)?
9.  Will you need any type of projection, photography, videography equipment for your business? Or speakers, audio equipment?
10.  If the power went out, how would you operate your business?

Financial
1.  How will you collect payments?
2.  How do you plan to pay employees?
3.  How will you track employee time?
4.  How will you manage your banking, finances, etc.?
5.  Do you have a budget in mind you would be spending monthly? Yearly?

Data, Security and Compliance
1.  Will you be collecting any sensitive data or be subject to any type of compliance that you know of (i.e. HIPAA, etc.)?
2.  Does your business require heavy documentation to be successful (i.e. something related to insurance)?
3.  Do you need cameras and access cards to secure your business office (if you are getting an office)?
4.  Will you need to backup your data for your business? If so, how?
5.  How will you protect your data in your business?

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