Three Pivotal Questions

Man has made it to the moon and then safely landed back on his home planet. It was hailed as a milestone accomplishment in space exploration. What made it possible?nnThe invention of the electronic computer! nnThe computers on board the spacecraft and those at NASA control center made the mathematical calculations that ensured that the precise path was taken. The required speedy navigational computations were simply beyond the capability of even the best team of expert mathematicians: it would have taken years to make the calculations needed to make minute-by-minute course corrections. nnIn a sense, we could say that the success of that lunar space mission as well as the survival of the astronauts themselves depended upon the computers.nnToday, even in the world of business and industry, success and survival are become more and more dependent on the effective application of computer technology. This is very obvious in the fields of banking, air travel, manufacturing, and news networks, just to mention a few. In fact, every enterprise or profession that needs to maintain sizeable, reliable, and easily retrievable information (for example, about customers, receivables, and/or inventory) will invariably profit from the use of microcomputers.nnThanks to a combination of technical innovations and mass production, a microcomputer can now be bought at an affordable price. Indeed, the real question today is whether you can afford not to computerize!nnOn the other hand, we are also aware of those who already use microcomputers in their businesses or professions but only to a marginal extent. Except perhaps for promoting secretarial productivity through word processing, they haven't experienced the managerial benefits in terms of lower overhead cost, greater financial control, better decision-making support, and increased time and energy for creative action.nnHow do you know whether it's time to computerize or there is much to be desired from your existing computerized system(s)Start with these three basic questions:nn1. Is your record/information keeping taking the fun out of managing your business or profession?nn2. Are needed financial forecasts and reports inaccurate and/or delayed?nn3. Do you feel you are not in total control? n nnIf you answered with a categorical "NO" to all of the above, congratulations! (Be sure, though, to review your answers at least every three months.) If you answered "YES" or are not sure of your answer, don't despair. Just give us a ring or e-mail us, and we will do all we can to come up with a workable solution.