Microsoft offers small businesses online advice

Microsoft New Zealand has launched an online small business centre to help small business owners to manage their technology better and access product support.

The centre provides information on products and advice on how to guard against electronic security risks, ways to make email work better, and tools to streamline tasks, enhance communication and to create campaigns to attract new customers.

Business owners can also sign up for a small business newsletter to keep them informed about events and product tips and tricks.

Microsoft New Zealand's new small business manager, Jan Ferguson, said the software firm also wanted to help businesses to get access to direct product help and support from Microsoft, and strengthen understanding between Microsoft New Zealand and small businesses.

She said Microsoft wanted to provide small-to-medium-sized businesses with useful information and an online community that addressed their key issues and concerns.

It also reinforced the role technology could play in a successful business.

The initiative follows a consultation with 45 small businesses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to identify the main technology issues they faced.