HOMELAND SECURITY: It’s no secret the impact technology has on business. So what will be the next big thing to make its mark? A new form of tracking inventory or sales? A better way to communicate? According to a recent poll of IT professionals by the Computing Technology Industry Association, nearly 25% said security technology tops their list. Considering business owners’ livelihood can be at risk in the event of a security catastrophe, John Venator, president and CEO of the association, wasn’t surprised at the findings: “Information security considerations affect virtually everything an organization does, whether it’s internal e-mail communications, B2B data exchange or electronic commerce with consumers.” What else made the list? Wireless data applications was second and convergence solutions, such as voiceover Internet Protocol, came in third. Hackers beware.

CLEANING UP: The Restoration Industry Association (RIA), author of the “Clean Sweep” column and the industry’s premiere cleaning and maintenance organization, also has editorial prowness. Its monthly magazine, Cleaning & Restoration, was honored by the Missouri School of Journalism, the nation’s premier college in this field, with three Magnum Opus awards for editorial and magazine excellence. It received a Silver for Best Feature Article, a Special Recognition Grand Print Award—one of only two presented—and an Honorable Mention for Best Overall Editorial. This is no small feat considering the competition consisted of such corporate giants as Walt Disney Co., Rodale Press, American Airlines and Toyota. Kudos to RIA.

MAKING ITS MARK: A new guide from RugMark, a nonprofit dedicated to ending illegal child labor in the rug-making industry, helps consumers buy handmade rugs that are both visually beautiful and ethically made. Nina Smith, executive director, said, “How to Buy a Rug” distills the often daunting process of purchasing a handmade rug into five steps and stresses the importance of selecting one made by skilled adult artisans. She added, “Consumers can avoid goods made by underage workers and learn about how to select a quality product. It’s an informative tool for both consumers and industry members.” Copies are available at www.RugMark.org or by requesting a copy at info@RugMark.org.

MIXED RESULTS: If you’re a little confused about how business is doing, you’re not alone. It seems as if each day there is a different report on business conditions. A recent member survey by the World Floor Covering Association ( WFCA) shows there is a reason for the madness. A survey of over 200 retailers on the most recent quarter came up with a wide range of answers. Almost half, 49%, said residential sales were up from the previous quarter, with 23% saying it was up at least 10%. Conversely, 37% reported sales were down, with 20% noting reductions of at least 10%. Of the 88% doing commercial work, 54% reported increases, with 30% saying it was up more than 10%. Only 15% saw a decrease in this area.

SURPRISE RESULTS: The WFCA survey also revealed some surprising results. The biggest was in the products retailers sold the most during the three-month period. At 67%, carpet was overwhelmingly the flooring of choice, followed by hardwood (14%) and tile/stone (11%). Another interesting tidbit: Despite the not so great business conditions, 91% said they planned to maintain or increase their existing ad budget, with 39% intending to increase it. Chris Davis, WFCA’s president and CEO, said that overall the survey confirms “anecdotal information about the state of the industry and that strong retailers in solid markets continue to perform well, while weak dealers in weak local markets do not.” Sounds like Darwin’s theory at work.