Business, Commerce and Management Studies Generic Management

Information Technology Benefits For Small Business Management Training

SAQA US 115827 | NQF 5 | Credits 7 | Duration 4 Days
From $1,107 per delegate

Description

This course equips small business managers and owners with the knowledge and skills to leverage information technology effectively. Participants will learn to identify, evaluate, and implement IT solutions that enhance business operations, improve efficiency, and drive growth. The course focuses on practical applications of IT in a small business context, ensuring managers can make informed decisions about technology investments.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the benefits of information technology for small business management.
  • Evaluate different IT systems and applications suitable for small business needs.
  • Apply IT tools to improve business processes such as communication, record-keeping, and marketing.
  • Implement basic IT security measures to protect business data.
  • Demonstrate the use of IT for decision-making and strategic planning.

Target Audience

Small business owners, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to understand how information technology can benefit their business operations. This course is ideal for those with limited IT background seeking to harness technology for competitive advantage.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundational IT Concepts and Business Alignment

Objectives:
• Define core Information Technology (IT) concepts relevant to small business.
• Identify how IT can support key business functions (operations, finance, marketing).
• Recognise common IT infrastructure components (hardware, software, networks).
• Assess a small business's current IT maturity and identify basic needs.

Topics:
• Introduction to IT: Definitions, scope, and relevance to small business management.
• The role of IT in core business processes: Operational efficiency, customer engagement, and data management.
• Overview of essential IT infrastructure: Computers, mobile devices, local networks, and internet connectivity.
• Introduction to software categories: Productivity suites, accounting packages, and industry-specific applications.
• Conducting a basic IT needs analysis for a small business.
• Introduction to cybersecurity fundamentals: Passwords, updates, and basic data protection.

Day 2: Strategic Digital Tools and Cloud Solutions

Objectives:
• Evaluate digital tools for communication, collaboration, and customer relationship management (CRM).
• Explain the benefits and considerations of cloud computing for small businesses.
• Analyse how e-commerce and digital marketing tools can expand market reach.
• Develop a strategy for selecting and implementing appropriate digital tools.

Topics:
• Digital communication and collaboration tools: Email, video conferencing, and project management platforms.
• Introduction to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and their business value.
• Fundamentals of cloud computing: SaaS, IaaS, PaaS models and their cost/benefit analysis.
• E-commerce platforms and online payment gateways for small businesses.
• Digital marketing tools: Social media management, email marketing, and basic website builders.
• Developing a digital tool implementation plan: Needs assessment, vendor selection, and rollout.

Day 3: Data Management, Security, and Legal Compliance

Objectives:
• Implement effective data management practices for business intelligence.
• Apply core principles of cybersecurity to protect business assets and data.
• Identify key legal and regulatory compliance requirements related to IT in South Africa.
• Develop a basic data backup, recovery, and security policy framework.

Topics:
• Data as a business asset: Collection, storage, organisation, and basic analysis.
• Introduction to data protection principles and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).n• Cybersecurity threats: Malware, phishing, ransomware, and social engineering.
• Implementing security controls: Firewalls, antivirus software, access controls, and employee training.
• Data backup strategies: Local, cloud-based, and hybrid solutions.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning basics for IT systems.
• Overview of other relevant legislation (e.g., Electronic Communications and Transactions Act).

Day 4: IT Integration, Budgeting, and Future Trends

Objectives:
• Create a practical IT integration plan aligning technology with business goals.
• Develop and manage an IT budget, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considerations.
• Evaluate emerging technology trends (e.g., AI, automation) for potential small business application.
• Synthesise course learning into a final actionable IT roadmap for a small business scenario.

Topics:
• Strategic IT planning: Aligning technology investments with business objectives.
• IT budgeting and cost management: Capex vs Opex, TCO, and ROI calculations.
• Sourcing IT services: In-house vs. outsourcing, vendor management, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Emerging trends overview: Artificial Intelligence, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), and their SME relevance.
• Developing a comprehensive IT policy document.
• Practical workshop: Creating a final IT roadmap and presentation for a case study business.
• Course recap and resources for ongoing learning and support.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Thu 10 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Thu 22 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
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Tue 12 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Thu 18 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 02 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
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Tue 07 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Thu 30 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 19 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Thu 09 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 28 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Thu 20 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,663 Register
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In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Tue 15 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Thu 08 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
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Mon 22 Mar 2027 Thu 25 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 15 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Thu 08 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Thu 16 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 25 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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