EDITOR'S NOTE

Shaping the tools that shape us

Technology. The word has been around for quite a while, but every year -- actually every day -- the meaning of it becomes more expansive and complex.

Years ago, like way back in the 1960s, a Canadian educator and philosopher named Marshall McLuhan wrote books about our society, culture and the media. One of his observations was something like, "We shape our tools and then our tools shape us."

In terms of technology, that means our lives and work have changed and continue to change based on the advances in computers, PDAs, the Internet, specialized software and more. How many of us or our children would leave the house without a cell phone, a device that as of as short a time as 10 years ago was big and clunky and relatively rare? How could we get through a day without looking something up on Google? Huge amounts of merchandise are sold each day on eBay. This list goes on.

In business, we use technology to sort information, to keep the books, to order, to inventory, to ... you name it.

It is imperative that business stay competitive by keeping up with the changes, but as demographer Peter Francese notes, it is necessary to make sure that whatever new technology that a business purchases is one that will do what you want it to and that it is something the customer wants.

"It's all about enhancing the customer's experience, learning more about customers and saving money and/or time. That is what technology can do and those three are listed in order of importance," he says. (See story.)

In this area, the importance of technology is not lost on the number of companies involved in producing it.

Michael McCord writes about the rise of the dot.coms on the Seacoast, or eCoast in this case, followed by the bust. But, he observes, "Out of the ashes, a lot of smart, ambitious people did not give up; stronger companies such as Bottomline Technologies, Newmarket International and PixelMEDIA retooled and others were bought and reshaped. And scores of new businesses were created from the diaspora of once heavyweight companies like Cabletron, while other cutting-edge businesses such as Hatchling Studios emerged through the sheer momentum of technological innovation and smart business plans." (See story.)

One of the people involved in this movement is David P. Hodgdon, chief executive officer and founder of Portsmouth Computer Group IT.

Founded in 1996, PCG serves about 300 customers, many of which are smaller to medium-sized companies that realize a system failure means a loss of their own customer service and a blow to their bottom line.

PCG's services include on-call IT with remote support, network solutions, and computer sales, service and support.

"We're a full-time IT department at a part-time price," Hodgdon says. (See story.)

Technology is not just for the profit-driven among us.

Mary Ellen Jackson, executive director of the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, says that nonprofits can develop long-term relationships with supporters by communicating attractive, user-friendly information over the Web.

And, it is a good way for them to get out their message, solicit volunteers and collect donations. (See story.)

Something that might surprise some people is that in addition to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine and New Hampshire are home to an increasing number of companies serving the Department of Defense. And, beyond contracts for things like missile technology and armor, the federal government is buying just about everything, from computer software to clothing.

In New Hampshire, the go-to place for help in getting into mix is the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which is part of the Business Resource Center at the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development.

The program helps companies understand bidding processes, how to submit proposals, and how best to identify potential markets. And it works with a number of smaller companies looking for subcontract work from companies that have won government work.

"Our sole reason to exist is to help companies get federal contracts -- and state contracts," says Christopher Way, manager of the program. (See story.)

OK, so how do I get one of those iPhones? I really need it.

Reach CAL KILLEEN via e-mail or 610-1193.