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You’ve got the name, the product and the cash. You’re also willing to work hard. But what if you could make that workload lighter?

With the right technology you can. IT will make your business run smoothly, help you balance books, target revenue opportunities and access customers. It’s just about knowing where to begin.

The basics will get you started. Once you have a PC you can get access to the internet and an email address so that you can communicate with clients. Its also worth building a website to advertise your services and investing in a security package, such as Norton AntiVirus, to protect your PC.

Once these are in place you can boost your business potential.

·          On-line business banking is supplied by most banks. You can control your accounts, pay bills and transfer funds daily from your desk. Ask your bank about what it can offer you.

·          Track accounts with packages such as Excel, Sage and Microsoft Money. These are easy to use and calculate all aspects of your expenditure.

·          Customer databases (CRMs) increase sales by identifying customer trends. Packages such as Oracle, Peoplesoft and Pivotal are designed for SMEs.

·          An up-to-date, interactive website builds a relationship with customers and allows them to view products and make orders. Start an on-line shop, accept on-line payments or use it to start exporting.

·          Broadband will give you unlimited access to the internet. It is ideal if you handle large amounts of data or want to upload information or pictures onto your website.

Don’t worry if you haven’t used IT before. There are organisations and courses that can help.

·          Opportunity Wales - for SME eCommerce and internet support

·          Business Eye - free information service for SMEs in Wales

·          www.itwales.com - online resource for Welsh SMEs

·          www.businesslink.gov.uk - practical advice for UK businesses

·          www.telecomsadvice.org.uk  - IT advice from Oftel

·          www.learndirect.co.uk - take an IT course on-line or at Wales-based centres

·          Computer Aid - many courses are free to SMEs in Objective 1 areas

·          Local county councils - several list community courses on their websites