Modern technology has helped level the playing field for small businesses to compete with larger, more established businesses in the same market. However, it’s important that the technology works correctly, or you may spend a lot of time pulling your hair out just to keep everything working (without having to pay a small fortune to keep an in-house IT staff on the payroll). A good system should work behind the scenes to help keep you and your employees working efficiently with minimum hassle. We’ve put together some tips to help keep your infrastructure running as smoothly as possible.
Consider a Firewall
Having a firewall to protect all the computers in your office’s network is a great first line of defense to protect company data from would-be intruders. There are a number of firewall options on the market today, and many routers have decent built-in firewalls. Consider configuring one for your workplace; if you need any assistance or advice, be sure to contact a local tech company with any questions you may have or if you’d like assistance to ensure it’s configured properly (they can be a bit tricky!).
Keep Software Up to Date
Some software, especially Java and Flash, is updated often to patch new security flaws. Be sure to visit the official site for the software to download and install the latest version. Also be sure to keep your operating system up to date with the newest patches to fix any vulnerabilities.
Back Up Often
Many people think backing up data can be a huge hassle, especially when there are a number of computers to back up. Fortunately there are automated solutions to help with this problem, and it’s well worth investing the time and/or money into getting a solid, frequent backup system in place. For best results, you should have an on-site backup of data, as well as an off-site backup (such as in the cloud).
Similarly, it’s a good idea to consider having some backup equipment around. A backup computer in the office can come in handy if something goes wrong with your primary machine. If you have to take your primary computer in for repairs, it could take a few days to get it fixed (especially if it needs a new piece of hardware that needs to be ordered). It doesn’t have to be as powerful as your primary computer (a slightly older refurbished machine should do fine), as long as it can run the programs you need to get through the next few days while your computer is being repaired.
Build Your Web Presence
Just about every business needs a web presence these days. When someone hears about your company, there’s a good chance they’re going to search Google for your company before they consider doing business with you. If you don’t have a website, they may consider a competitor that does. You should have at least a simple website that covers who you are, what services you provide, and contact information. You can use a free website builder to create a bare-bones site, but you’ll have better results with a high-quality custom site that presents the info in a clear, visually-appealing way.
Hire Professional IT Consultants
If you’re located in the San Marcos/Austin area and you’d like some expert help at a fair, affordable price, give tekRESCUE a call to discuss your needs! We offer IT consulting, on-site support, remote support, and website development & optimization services for small and medium-sized businesses in the area. IT can be daunting, but you don’t have to go it alone!
