IT Helps Small Businesses Enact Big Ideas

Title:IT Helps Small Businesses Enact Big IdeasWord Count:305Summary:Good customer suervice is crucial to success inbusiness; there's nothing high-tech abouthelping customers get exectly what they need. Buttechnology can make the process easier and moreefficient.

Keywords:IT Helps Small Businesses Enact Big IdeasArticle Body:Good customer service is crucial to success inbusiness; there's nothing high-tech abouthelping customers get exactly what they need. Buttechnology can make the process easier and moreefficient.For most small businesses, investing ininformation technology (IT) can pay dividends inmore ways than one. Not only can technology helpcompanies establish a corporate identity andlower the cost of doing business, it can also helplevel the playing field.The Dell/National Federation of IndependentBusiness (NFIB) Small Business Excellence Award,established in 2004, honors small businesses thatinstill the spirit of innovation and apply IT to

improve the customer experience.Think big, win bigThe winner will receive $30,000 in technology andprofessional services from Dell; a Day with Dellprogram with Dell executives, including MichaelDell, to share best business practices; alifetime membership to NFIB; and other prizes.Nine other companies will receive a Dell Latitudenotebook and a one-year membership to NFIB. Thefinalists for the 2006 award are:• AMAD Logistics, an international freightforwarder and logistics company.• DataCert Inc., a fast-growing supplier ofelectronic invoicing and corporate legalspend-management solutions.• Errand Solutions, which providescustomized errand-running and concierge services

as an employee benefit and customer relationshipenhancement to health care, hospitality,residential property and corporateorganizations.• Harrison's Roof Truss, L.L.C., amanufacturer of engineered wooden roof and floortrusses.• Micro Technology Services Inc., whichdevelops and manufactures electronic products.• National Association of SystemAdministrators Inc., provides a 24-hour,Web-based customer portal through which clientscan track service calls and on-site partsstorage.• Ntelicor L.P., an information-technologyconsulting and staffing firm.• Pipal Research Corp., a team of

strategists and investment bankers who provideresearch and analytical services.• Sew What? Inc., a theatrical draperymanufacturer and custom sewing service.• TRS Consultants Inc., amultidisciplinary engineering and constructionmanagement firm.