The State of Technology

• 1In the last year, did your business use new or significantly improved processes, equipment or software to produce or distribute its products or services?
• 1aWas it one new or significantly improved process, piece of equipment, or piece of software, or was it more than one?
• 1bWas it a process, a piece of equipment, or a piece of software?
• 1cWas this new or significantly improved (process/piece of equipment/piece of software) new on the market or just new to your business?
• 1dDid this new (process/piece of equipment/piece of software) put you ahead of the competition, allow you to stay abreast of the competition, or let you catch up to the competition?
• 1eWhere did you get the idea for this (process/piece of equipment/piece of software)? Did you develop it from scratch yourself, upgrade or modify it based on what you saw somewhere else, or directly copy an idea you saw somewhere else?
• 2aIs this technology brand new on the market, or is it an upgrade from a prior model or version?
• 2bTo the best of your knowledge, how long has the basic technology been on the market?
• 2cHow long have you used this basic technology in your business?
• 2dTo the best of your knowledge, is the model or version you are using the most up-to-date?
• 2eDo all, most, a few, or none of your competitors use any model or version of the technology?
• 2fApproximately, how many pieces or copies of the technology, including all models or versions, do you currently use?
• 2gIf you were to buy the most recent version of the technology today, what would be the approximate PER UNIT cost?
• 2hHow long did it take the most skilled person using the technology to become proficient using it?
• 2iHow many employees use the technology?
• 2jHow much longer do you think you will be able to use the most sophisticated technology you currently operate before replacing it?
• 2j1Will you replace the technology primarily because:?
• 2kDid your firm develop this technology, OR did someone else develop it?
• 2lDid you modify the technology to meet your needs once you obtained it, OR did you leave it pretty much as you got it?
• 2l1Did you substantially modify or modestly modify the technology?
• 2mDo you own the technology, OR do you lease or license it?
• 3Do you believe that you have an overall technological advantage over your primary competitors, a technological disadvantage with them, or no technological advantage exists one way or another?
• 4Is the technology in your industry changing:?
• 5When it comes to new technologies in your business, how would you characterize yourself?
• 6Is your business connected to the Internet?
• 6aIs your connection to the Internet high-speed, which could be DSL, cable, satellite, etc., or is it a dial-up modem?
• 7Does your business have it’s own Web site?Top 100 question
• 7aIs your Web site interactive in the sense that customers can reach you directly through it, place orders, or receive responses?

Volume 5, Issue 5, 2005
ISSN 1534-8326

William J. Dennis, Jr.
NFIB Research Foundation