Small Biz Tech & Productivity

Synnott is finding high-tech ways to hold off on hiring. In the last year, PRO Group invested in what's known as voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP, the technology that lets people talk over the Internet rather than regular phone lines. Synnott says VOIP has lowered the company's teleconferencing costs, which used to total about $800 a month

PRO Group is also revamping the database that hardware store owners can access to see their marketing plans. The changes mean PRO Group needs fewer staffers to give owners product and price information.