If you aren’t supporting your business technology, you aren’t supporting your business.
I know it’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Just think about it: what are you doing to ensure the technology that allows you to do your daily tasks is working with ease?
Think about the things you do every single day. How many of them involve a computer or some type of technology?
- Scheduling appointments? Computer
- Accept payments? Computer, Internet access
- Calling clients? Phone
- Printing receipts? Printer
- Access customer/client information? Server, Internet access
Technology is engrained in every aspect of business. While these devices work hard for you day in and day out, have you ever stopped to think about what would happen if they weren’t available? How will you recover if the data on that device is lost? Are your backups working, and can you recover from them? Does your cybersecurity plan include intrusion threat prevention?
Maintaining the devices that keep you going is critical to your business success.
So what types of devices should you be supporting?
Computers and mobile devices
The average lifespan of a computer is 3-5 years. During that timeframe, the operating system and software developers will send out dozens of updates and patches. These patches and updates eliminate vulnerabilities and improve the overall user experience. Many times, you have to actually restart the device to complete the udpate. Frequently, users ignore these patches because they don’t want to disrupt business by completing the updates.
Ignoring these updates and patches can actually make your device run slower and leave you vulnerable to cyberattacks that will not only put you at risk but your clients also.
Installing patches and updates and restarting your device on a regular basis keeps your equipment working at peak performance.
Servers
Servers are computers that have a lot more processing power and storage. They are the storehouse of your business information and vital to any business that uses one.
Similar to workstations and mobile devices, servers receive patches and updates on a regular basis. Because of these patches and updates, servers need to be rebooted. The trouble is that shutting down your server essentially shuts down your business.
The patches and updates actually protect your server the same way that updates and patches protect a workstation or mobile device. They minimize vulnerabilities on the server and for the devices that use the server. Losing your server means you lose valuable business information that is instrumental to success. It’s important to back up your server regularly. This minimizes the hours spent trying to recover the information you lost.
Business Phone Systems
Regardless of the age of the business phone system, they work about the same. There is a phone system “brain” or server that tells the desk phones how to make and receive calls. It is programmed to ring based on different situations. For example, the system will ring differently if you have 2 calls come in at once or if a call come in after hours.
The best way to maintain the phone system is to back it up and to ensure it gets any necessary patches and updates to continue going. If they are VoIP phones, make sure each device gets necessary updates and patches also.
Additionally, putting your phone system on a separate network (logical or physical) is a way to minimize intrusion risk through your phone system. You can do this by programming vlans on your network or by ensuring phones are on a completely separate switch.
Printers
Many business are doing away with their printers. Frequently receipts and other document are stored electronically instead of in file cabinets. With that in mind, many times businesses try to save costs with printer supplies. Some of these practices actually decrease the life of the printer and cost you more in the long term.
Sometimes users try to squeeze as much as they can out of the cartridges before changing them out. Another way to stretch business dollars is by using off brand toners in printers. While these seem like they make good business sense, it can actually decrease the life of your machine.
Additionally, running your cartridges dry is similar to running your car out of gas. Not only will it stop going, but it can damage the pieces that make the machine work.
Off brand cartridges do not face the same quality standards that the name brand cartridges have. Generic cartridges sometimes leak toner or have less toner than expected. These types of issues cause you to purchase more frequently.
The best way to ensure your printer works at peak performance is to replace toner before you are completely out and always use name brand cartridges.
IT Enabled is here to help.
In summary, managing your network equipment doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s possible to keep your devices running smoothly without distracting from your actual work. If you need help, contact us. IT Enabled is a managed IT service provider. We help organizations with 5-500 employees tackle technology issues by providing comprehensive IT support including network and tech support, such as computer, laptop and server support, cybersecurity, disaster recovery options and business phone systems. Our business is keeping you focused on your business.