Amid the U.S. debt rating mess, the public’s faith in Congress is at an all-time low. But there are potential signs of progress — especially for small VARs and MSPs that want the U.S. government to promote small business technology innovations. Indeed, several members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), recently demonstrated that Congress could be an ally to the SMB technology channel. Here’s why.

Those representatives have formed a Congressional Small Business Information Technology Caucus. CompTIA CEO Todd Thibodeaux says the caucus demonstrates how “leading policymakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the significant role that small IT businesses can play in helping to put Americans back to work, protecting critical infrastructure and speeding and smoothing implementation of innovations in mobility, health care, green IT and other high growth sectors.”

Let’s look at a few key topics mentioned in Thibodeaux’s statement and see how they present opportunities for VARs and MSPs.

Infrastructures Need Protection

Whether due to assaults by hackers or simply due to factors such as age and faulty maintenance, much of the nation’s IT infrastructure has been proven to be at risk. Considering the nation’s power grid and defense systems are now completely supported by IT infrastructure, a failure could prove catastrophic. Small IT service providers are in a great position to ease the management and upkeep of critical IT infrastructure through hosted services, cloud computing, etc.

The Country Goes Mobile

As consumers increasingly mobilize their personal lives, they are bringing that “always connected” mentality with them into the office. Today’s workers, especially those under 30, live the rest of their lives via mobile devices, so it is only natural they expect to do the same in the workplace. In addition, mobilizing workers can save companies substantial costs related to overhead and systems maintenance. But most companies do not possess the internal capability to extend their corporate infrastructure into the mobile world securely and reliably.

Surely, IT service providers can fulfill that need.

Innovation Needs Kick-Starting

Many great innovations of the 21st century, such as green IT, exist more in theory than in fact. While going green can produce long-term savings, as well as generate public and employee goodwill and contribute to the general improvement of living conditions, it is a hugely complex undertaking that can be pricey, as well. Small IT service providers that develop a green specialty can make going green a realistic proposition for companies’ overwhelmed IT departments, serving as a catalyst for innovation while also turning a profit.

In theory, the Congressional Small Business Information Technology Caucus could help fund those types of projects. Small IT service providers stand ready to assist. Bull will the caucus truly deliver on its SMB technology vision? We’ll be watching.

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