As small businesses continue to become more and more dependent on the digital data infrastructure, i.e. computer systems, the acceptable level of downtime declines. User time throughout the day is becoming more centralized around managing information housed solely in the company’s computer system. With the popularity of Blackberry and Treo devices, small company users don’t even need to be in the office to feel the importance of a smooth running computer network.
This escalating dependency brings into focus the support required to achieve a stable and reliable computer network. Like many things, once a computer network is installed and running, it’s easy to let its maintenance slip to a back burner. Since the network - primarily the network’s server – isn’t causing any immediate problems, the sense is that maintenance can wait until the office isn’t as busy.
One of two things eventually happens when the network and servers don’t get the needed attention. First, seemingly insignificant issues begin to invade the system that don’t initially shut it down. These include but aren’t limited to viruses, spyware, missed backups and uninstalled security updates. Secondly, for some unknown reason, the server stops working completely at a most inopportune time. Naturally, the company’s computer support team (most likely Responsive Network Services LLC) is called upon to revive the system. Part of the revival process will included performing all of the missed updates as well as virus and spyware scans which would have been part of standard, scheduled network maintenance.
Small business network support incorporates well-trained computer consultants who are available when problems arise along with a comprehensive approach to prevent as many of the problems as possible. In most cases for smaller companies, the computer consultant will be outsourced from a firm specializing in supporting firms which don’t have an in-house IT/computer person. It is important that such a consultant can communicate well with the key personnel at the client company since the consultant will need a full understanding of the existing computer system as well as what its intended business uses are.
There is no substitute for a working backup of a small business network’s data. The company’s server, whether based on Microsoft Windows Server line or Novell’s Netware offerings, requires special attention from a server expert to verify that the backup systems are configured and working properly. In the event of a server hardware failure, the need for the right network support consultant is exceeded only the need for the most recent possible copy of the company’s data to be restored from backup. Creating the highest potential for that precious backup to be in place is the job of the company’s computer consulting and network support staff.
Ultimately, small companies will find that in order for their office to function efficiently, time spent with their computer consultant will have an excellent return on investment in terms of both downtime minimized and prevented as well as their confidence that one of the firm’s most important assets, its irreplaceable data is being protected.
