The Best Small Business Tech at CES

Of course, the calculus of the cost of display development is impossible to measure. This technology could easily wind up being more expensive than plastic, depending on how it's deployed. But there is also no question that if your shop is rolling out a new product this year, you should at least consider dumping the plastic packaging and testing Natralock.

Done right, paperboard can be cheap, more attractive and eco friendly. And that is real innovation.

3) ecoRoute, Garmin
(free)

If there is sleeper small-business hit at this show it is ecoRoute, from GPS maker Garmin (GRMN). This free software update to several Garmin GPS units combines mapping, destination planning and overall traffic management with the cost of fuel, vehicle wear and tear and vehicle fuel economy. And it does it all in an easy-to-deploy, easy to use Garmin GPS -- $200 buys all the equipment you need.

Now there are many details to be tested, but at least in the early tests I have seen here, this system has the potential to save you some big money. Not only is this technology a steal of transport management systems, in theory it can reduce the cost of running your fleet. Driving trucks and people around town is one of the best ways I know to waste a ton of money and time. And a simple tool like the ecoRoute could be a smart way to save some coin in a down market.

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