What should we be doing with IT to get ready for Christmas?

There always needs to be an IT plan for the end of the year. So much to do, and so hard to get the IT guy to be there.

It doesn't matter whether you have an in-house IT guy or a guy you call in, chances are that this is the time of year he is least available. He is either physically on holidays, or mentally on holidays, or worse - he is flat out busy finishing off projects before the holidays and got his time requirements wrong.

As the weather warms up, I would be remiss if I did not remind all businesses to review and test their backup processes and ensure a good backup is kept off site in a fire-safe location. Even if you are in a low-risk area, this check should be done regularly as the only thing worse than not backing up, is believing you have.

It is also a great time to archive files you don't need on your primary server; including last year's email history. Just like we archive our tax receipts and records to reduce the impact on our filing cabinets, we can move old data to less expensive storage locations. What better time than at the end of the year?

December is also a great time to review licensing for your antivirus software, to ensure you'll be virus free in 2010. It doesn't hurt to check compliance for other licensing as well.

Let me remind you to check the batteries on the server's UPS, and make sure the server will shut down cleanly. Power cuts on hot days with domestic cooling running are common. While you're at it, test the smoke alarms in your office and server room. Don't forget the ones at home either. Test your security alarms to make sure you will return to your home or office after the holidays without any unwanted intrusions.

Now is also a great time to make sure your site records of accounts and passwords is up-to-date, so that anyone can assist you quickly in case of drop outs and disconnections.

If you know you will have staff working over the holidays in critical roles, now is a great time to make sure the support services they might need will be available when they need them. You should also make contingency arrangements with other support people if there may be a shortfall.

Of course, it is also your last chance to access the 50% tax break.

Don't wait until the last week of December, as we'll all be in a flat spin by then. June was a huge month for IT companies in terms of selling hardware, and December is likely to be even bigger as small businesses that are seeing the upturn rush to get orders in.

So, as I was taught in Boy Scouts, "Be Prepared". Don't let poor planning impede your holiday relaxation.

David Markus is the founder of Combo - the IT services company that ensures IT is never an impediment to growth.

How can I create an environment that will allow me to attract and retain good IT people?

As the economy warms up IT people are going to get mobile again. If they have been clinging to a job for security they will soon move for opportunity, so it is an important time to create the right environment. What is a computer tech's utopia.

One of the keys to success in my business has been keeping hold of good people. I have done this through creating the right level of complexity and interest in their professional lives.

I believe the key with techs is that they need to be responsible for hundreds of computers and dozens of servers. IT guys love complexity and the good ones get bored by simple systems like 100 computers and six servers just as soon as they have all been updated. Hence the huge churn of IT staff in small to medium business.

It really helps to have an IT team of at least five people to share ideas and interests and stay motivated rather than isolated. IT is a cost centre in almost every business so there is always pressure on the team externally and internally. Where the team is small or just one person it can be very lonely being under pressure to perform where what you do is not popular with the rest of the business.

Let me give you the analogy of a dentist. If people go to the dentist terrified of the pain that will be caused, the dentist will have a bad day. Yep, just about every day is like that for a dentist. When IT staff are only called on to solve problems by people who see IT as a necessary evil in their business they will also have a bad day. So having likeminded people to get together with is important.

I am sure this is why you see so many IT guys huddled together in city coffee shops each day.

If you can make your IT team a profit centre in your business you will have a better team morale. IT guys hate being told they are a cost centre so they better be productive. If you can't make it a profit centre, at least appreciate the leverage IT creates for your business and tell them when they do a good job.

Keep updating your technology every 12 months to keep them on their toes. Every IT guy knows that installing or maintaining last year's software means they have a heap of study to do to get current if they need to move jobs. So if you keep them up-to-date constantly you will get the advantage of the latest systems for your business and engaged technicians.

Get excited about technology in your business. After all, that is what the IT guy thrives on. If the business is not exited about technology it will eventually drain the energy from whoever is excited about technology and leave them maintaining the status quo for a pay check until they hit the bottom of the job satisfaction cycle and get motivated to move on.

Make your office funky, today's techs are Gen Y and they will not dig conservative office environments.

Finally, this one has worked really well for me and others I know - buy a 46-inch or bigger full HD TV and keep a few games systems like the Wii and PS3 for Friday evenings. They love that kind of stuff.

David Markus is the founder of Combo - the IT services company that ensures IT is never an impediment to growth.