Business Computers are often thought of as something "special" and marketed as such by dealers and retail outlets. They need not be "special" and need not cost an equivalent to your annual income. If you really sit down and think about it, the PC on your desk at home can do what you need it to do in or for your business in most cases. Now there are advantages to having what the various retail outfits will call a "business system" but do yourself a huge favor, check the specifications on it against the one you are already using at home. Another stick of RAM and bigger hard drive does not make it a "business system" but it sure works for the retail outfits that get away with it daily.

Look at the recommendations I made for the personal computer system on the previous page. The logic to picking a system is to define what you need it to do and then ensuring you pick the components for the inside of the system that will allow you to do it. That applies to the operating system also. There are a few more considerations a person should think about though before spending huge sums of money on a computer system.

Will the system be required to operate 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)?  Will you be hosting a web site on your system so that your customers can order product or schedule support? Will it be required to perform multiple duties such as, work station, fax services, web services, file server, network server, or phone distribution services? What happens if this system goes down after normal business hours? How will it impact my business and my customers? Knowing the answers to the above will greatly assist you in determining exactly what you need for system resources. Knowing all these answers up front will save you tremendously by allowing you to pick the right system the first time. Most usually do not think of all the items, and I am sure I have omitted a few myself, and then will have to upgrade or replace their system with another. Do you want to have one system perform all needed tasks or will you be splitting the tasks among several systems? Make sure the operating system you want to use will run on the systems you choose. Will the hardware you have chosen be compatible with the software?

Now there are systems specifically designed to be used in commercial or industrial environment. They have very rugged cases with lots of room within them. They have power supplies that operate in much the same ways as the UPS system we might use on our personal computer system at home. They are also capable of much higher outputs than our home computer. The two I have each have 650 watt power supplies. Internal temperatures need to be controlled and they will have big fans installed to move the air within and out of the enclosure.

NOISE! If you think your personal computer makes noise, wait till you hear a system designed for data center use.

Most of the newer systems will be classed as "server" and will come with back up systems installed within the cabinet. Two power supplies that will automatically switch over if one should fail.

Often they will support "hot swappable" disk drives. When you look at these systems, plan on a large budget expense! Not only that, the cost of electricity goes up tremendously.

And you thought just starting a business was painful. Picking the right systems to perform the tasks required of your business is just as complicated. Maybe more so than that of choosing employees.

Always include in the budget for your system, a UPS system! Yes, the choice again is involved but one that requires thought and planning on your part. The requirement will vary based on a lot of the answers you provided in the first two paragraphs. Me, I will pick a UPS system that will be online continuously providing filtered power to the system. It will shut down automatically after a pre set time determined by answer to question "What will failure cause to my business or customer". Two hours of runtime will normally be good. One hour will be a lot cheaper and normally not impact on your business to much. Remember, I am primarily talking about the small business with no or very few employees. If you were consistently doing hundreds of dollars an hour in business after normal hours thru a web site, then splurge for backup power to your business location.

Another thought for system purchase would include the daily care of that system. Will you do it yourself, hire someone to do it or contract out to an outside source. Personally, I like the first two options the best. I do not want outside people inside of my most private information and neither do I want to depend upon someone else for my business success. That is why we went into business for ourselves in the first place, wasn't it?

In the next couple of sections I will discuss standalone and networked systems. They pertain to both personal and business use considerations. I will also discuss the operating system in a section devoted to it. The choice of operating system can impact on your budget AND the type of system you choose. Yes, the process is complicated. That is why the Chief Information Officers at those large companies make the large salaries they do. It is also why the consultants charge the large fees they do to come in and tell you what you need. Do yourself and your budget a favor and take the time to think through the process yourself. If your business idea is that complicated that you cannot determine exactly what you need or should use, then just maybe you need to reconsider the business goals and plan. Maybe bringing on an employee or partner with the skills will pay off in huge budget savings by not having to hire outside specialist.
                                                  Bill