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.