Welcome to the World of Software

Where would your business be without software?

In an earlier era, you might have said that your most important business tool was your warehouse, or your fleet of vehicles, or even your phone system. Today, there's scarcely any facet of any business -- from accounting, to shipping and receiving, to communications, to manufacturing -- that isn't touched in some way by IT. And that means software.

Unfortunately, most of us are a lot more savvy about our own businesses than we are about the business of buying and deploying computer programs. That's where I come in.

My name is Neil McAllister, and I'm pleased to join my colleagues Glenn Fleishman and Erik Larkin in launching three all-new blogs for PC World Business Center. Together we'll be looking at how computer software, hardware, and the Internet can impact your business -- the good and the bad.

I've been writing about computing and the Internet for about ten years, so I've seen a lot of trends come and go in the software industry. But I'm more than just a writer. Before I ever wielded a word processor, I worked as an IT manager and a software developer for various small to midsize businesses.

Today I'm much like you: I operate a small business and I rely on computer software to make my living. In fact, if it weren't for the right combination of software programs, judiciously and inventively applied, I'm not sure where I'd be. I hope I can bring some of the benefit of my experience to help you in your own journey.

More importantly, I'd like to see this blog become an ongoing dialogue on how software can help each of us work better and more efficiently. What are the best products out there? In what ways could the software industry serve us better? And what are the important directions for the future?

I look forward to exploring the answers with you in the coming weeks. Thanks for stopping by, and come again soon.

Neil McAllister