There are many examples of computers being very successful, but there are also examples of them being less successful, or even being unmitigated disasters. As with any project, you need to ensure that the right people are given the right resources and the right guidance to succeed. How to implement computer projects successfully is covered in 'Making Information Work for You'. Some of the key issues are covered in this section and in 'Nine steps up the ladder'Seven Slithery Snakes
How to Avoid Snakes and Keep Climbing Ladders
Computers are relatively cheap. The real cost is the time you spend setting them up. Don't let your enthusiasm for the computers distract you from your business and your customers.Computers cost more time than money
There is plenty of unintentionally poor advice available for the unwary. Find someone with nothing to sell, who knows about your business and understands how computers can be used to help busy small business staff. Good and impartial advice is hard to get
Computers are increasingly 'user friendly', but they still need enthusiasm and some computing skills to make them work. Make sure there's somebody around to sort out the simple problems that can make your system unworkable.Computers are not as simple as the adverts make out
Everything in small businesses seems to take longer than you think. This is especially true of setting up a computer system. Be prepared to put in more time and effort than you expect.It always takes longer than you think
You must sort out your paper systems for running the business before you install a computer. The discipline of doing so can be very beneficial though it seems rather tedious at the time. Computers won't sort out your muddles for you
A hackneyed phrase that is still as true as it ever was. Work hard to make sure the information in the computer is always up to date and useful, otherwise it will quickly fall into disuse. Garbage in, garbage out
Unless you want to join the list of horror stories, back up your data regularly so that, if the computer crashes, somebody screws up the data, or the PC is stolen, you can still run the business. Backing up your valuable data is boring but essential