BlueWave Computing Survey Shows 95 Percent of Atlanta Small Businesses Would Be ''Devastated'' by Unexpected Loss of Computer Information.

ATLANTA -- BlueWave Computing Launches ''Take Back Control Initiative'' to Help Small Businesses Regain Control of Technology

E[acute accent]A new survey shows 95 percent of Atlanta small businesses say their company would be "devastated" if they unexpectedly lost the information contained in their computer networks. Nearly 75 percent depend on outside companies or independent contractors to maintain those networks but a third of them don't even trust their provider with confidential information such as social security numbers or banking data. E[acute accent]The telephone survey was conducted in February and March by BlueWave Computing, an Atlanta computer and network management company which this week launched a new "Take Back Control Initiative" to help small and medium-sized businesses get back control of their company's technology. The study randomly polled 100 owners or CEOs of small businesses in the metro Atlanta area across several different industries including financial, medical and retail companies. According to Steven Vicinanza, CEO of BlueWave Computing, the survey results show small businesses are increasingly concerned about security, reliability and control of their computer networks and office technology. E[acute accent]"Because of their size, small businesses have to rely on outside providers for their technology and computer networks but they are struggling with the same big technology issues as the largest companies in Atlanta. It's easy for them to be overwhelmed by it all and feel like they're losing control of their own technology," Vicinanza said. "As part of our Take Back Control Initiative we're going to offer a number of new tools, services and free seminars to help businesses regain that control over their technology so they can focus on operating a business."

E[acute accent]Survey Highlights

E[acute accent]According to the survey, 93 percent of small businesses say they are "highly dependent" upon technology and their computer network.

E[acute accent]Other highlights of the survey include:

E[acute accent]--Most (82 percent) have never lost data or information due to an outage (storm, power outage, equipment failure) of their computer network.

E[acute accent]--But nearly 95 percent said the impact of losing all their data on their computer networks would be "devastating" to their business.

E[acute accent]--Most small businesses consider knowledge (33 percent), price and response time (22 percent each) as their top influencers when choosing an outside provider for their computer networks and technology.

E[acute accent]--Most say they feel in "complete control" (80 percent) of their computer networks and how they operate. Yet, 82 percent of small businesses are "somewhat" or "very concerned" about the security of their network from forces outside their company.

E[acute accent]--A third of those surveyed don't even trust their providers with confidential information such as banking, employee social security numbers or payroll.

E[acute accent]--Another 43 percent use an entirely different provider to host their company's web site or email service.

E[acute accent]--Sixty-one percent say they would not have a smooth transition if they changed providers; 46 percent feel it would cost more to change providers.

E[acute accent]"These results and the level of vulnerability would be alarming if we didn't run into these issues so frequently when we deal with small and medium-sized businesses," Vicinanza said. "Many companies think they have a handle on their technology but when we dig deeper we find they're more troubled than they're willing to admit - or even realize. They worry about what would happen if they have an outage, if they lost their current provider and how bad the transition would be if they had to change providers. It's a sign they're losing control and it doesn't have to be that way."

E[acute accent]About BlueWave Computing

E[acute accent]BlueWave Computing is a computer and network management company for small and medium-sized businesses who rely on their technology to work when they need it. BlueWave Computing actually helps businesses run smoother by employing the industry's best Quality Management system to measure performance and results. By studying performance and results, businesses can make their IT costs more predictable and dependable. E[acute accent]Staffed with the best engineers applying the most rigorous engineering discipline to clients' advantage, no other computer and network management company in Atlanta gives businesses back control of their technology like BlueWave Computing. E[acute accent]For more information about BlueWave Computing, please visit the company's web site at www.bluewavecomputing.com. A full survey report is available to media by contacting Ris Cowan at Arista PR, [phone] or [e-mail].