Bridging The Competitive Gap Between Small And “Big” Business (NAPSA)—A major challenge for many of today’s small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) is reducing the competitive gap against “Big Business” with speed, network efficiencies and superb customer service all faetors in leveling the playingfield. According to research conducted by several organizations, ineluding the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the top three communication network challenges facing SMBs inelude network security, network man- agement and support, and finding affordable data services to support everyday business needs. Broadband providers such as Allied Riser Communications (ARC), are closing the competitive gap between SMBs and large companies by offering broadband solu- tions to SMBs. A recent Gartner Group study reveals that by 2003, small businesses will face a 50 percent chance of an Internet attack, with 60 percent of them not detecting it. If an attack occurs, it ean knock Websites offline for extended periods of time or permanently. This challenge can be countered with ARC Watch", a “plug-and-play” managed firewall solution that delivers multiple levels of network security for customers with varying network sizes and needs. Another challenge for SMBs is the continuous monitoring, man- agement and support required to operate a data network. According to the Information Technology maintenance of critical business systems. Today, a digital divide between business segments exists because SMBsoften are outspent by larger organizations to gain access to bandwidth and speed. Services such as LightSpeed Office” bundle inelude Internet connections from 192Kbps to 1.5Mbps, multiple customer-branded e-mail accounts, Web hosting, professional IT services, remote access and customizable desktop business portals, thus eliminating the costly, piecemeal approachof purchasing their broadband data services from multiple carriers. In-building providers makeit easier and more affordable for SMBsto realize the value of broadband networks with service bundles offering a range of high-speed connectivity, business communica- greatest need for IT services and tion applications and managed IT services. ARC delivers bundled data solutions to the desktops of firms, but dueto the difficulty and expense of recruiting and retaining qualified IT professionals, money by eliminating the need to consult and negotiate individual contracts for multiple providers. Association of America (ITAA), the workers is in smaller, non-IT many SMBs turn to external IT SMBs, saving customers time and Instead, SMBs can receive broad- service providers. ARC’s Professional IT Services solution offers band services and a single monthly bill from one provider. network project services to weekly visit www.arcbroadband.com/pr. SMBs customized, cost-effective IT support, ranging from one-time For more information about high-speed broadband solutions,
