Guides
Knowledge for your next IT decision.
What does virtualization cost after the VMware acquisition? How do you plan Wi-Fi that still works in the warehouse? What does the EU AI Act ask of a small business? These articles put such questions in context, with practical examples, sources and the date of the information.
Networking & Wi-Fi
- Networking
UniFi in business: how suitable is Ubiquiti for SMEs?
Core management without a mandatory licence, one ecosystem for network, Wi-Fi and cameras: what UniFi offers businesses, including its weak spots.
- Networking
Planning a UniFi network: gateways, VLANs and Wi-Fi for SMEs
A practical guide to dependable UniFi networks: assessment, gateway, PoE, switching, VLANs, Wi-Fi, headroom, documentation and operations.
- Networking
UniFi Protect and the GDPR: video surveillance at work
UniFi Protect records locally by default: storage location, remote access, US data transfers, legal bases and a checklist for workplace cameras in Germany.
- Networking
UniFi vs. Cisco Meraki: licence costs over five years
One-off purchase versus mandatory licences: current hardware and Meraki licence prices, what happens when a licence expires and when the premium pays off.
- Networking
Planning UniFi Wi-Fi: coverage, channels and roaming
Business Wi-Fi beyond floor-area rules: capacity, AP placement, 2.4/5/6 GHz, channel width, surveys, PoE, roaming and validation.
Servers & virtualization
- Virtualization
Proxmox vs. VMware: what virtualization costs SMEs in 2026
VMware is subscription-only now and prices have multiplied. What VVF, VCF and Proxmox VE cost SMEs: a worked example with sources, as of September 2026.
- Virtualization
VMware licensing in 2026: what the Broadcom changes mean
Subscription-only, 16-core minimum, vSphere 8 support ending in October 2027: the overview for existing customers weighing renewal, downsizing or a switch.
- Virtualization
Migrating from VMware to Proxmox: process, risks, pitfalls
The hands-on guide for SME migrations: inventory, import wizard, Windows VMs, backup with Veeam or PBS, and the typical pitfalls with their fixes.
AI & regulation
- AI & regulation
The EU AI Act for SMEs: what has applied since August 2026
The EU AI Act applies in stages. The Digital Omnibus postponed the high-risk deadlines and amended Art. 4. Deadlines and duties for SMEs that use AI.
- AI & automation
AI automation in SMEs: 6 use cases that actually pay off
From email triage to receipt processing: the six AI use cases with the best effort-to-benefit ratio, with sourced numbers and a 90-day starter plan.
- AI & regulation
Using ChatGPT and co. in line with the GDPR: a guide for SMEs
Shadow AI is widespread; in 2025 only 23 percent of companies had AI rules. The clean path: tier, data processing agreement, EU hosting and a 10-point AI policy.
- AI & automation
Local AI or cloud AI? The 2026 cost comparison for SMEs
Copilot, ChatGPT Business and Claude Team versus your own AI server: the maths for 5, 10 and 25 users over 3 years, with list prices and assumptions.
Email & operations
- Email archiving
Is Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online GoBD-compliant?
Exchange Online retains email but is not GoBD-compliant out of the box: what built-in tools and licences cover, where gaps remain, how to archive properly.
- Email archiving
MailStore: on-premises or cloud archiving?
MailStore Server in house, MailStore Cloud or hosted by a service provider: how the three variants compare on operation, costs and data location.
- Managed IT
RMM and managed IT for SMEs: managing devices centrally
What RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) does, how proactive maintenance reduces the risk of outages and when managed IT pays off for small businesses.
Software & working together
- Customer loyalty
Points instead of stamp cards: customer loyalty for cafés
Why points based on the amount spent achieve more than stamps, how the QR code on the receipt works without an app and how ’n Eis zapfen uses Treuli.
- IT consulting
Sole proprietor or IT firm? Choosing an IT partner for SMEs
What small businesses should weigh when choosing an IT partner, from a dedicated contact to continuity risk. Written from a sole proprietor’s view.
- Software development
Custom or off-the-shelf software? What pays off for SMEs
Off-the-shelf software or a custom solution? A five-question decision framework and a sober look at total cost of ownership, so SMEs choose well.