The importance of computers as a business asset is not lost on entrepreneurs in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. The place already has a high concentration of small businesses, many of which were set up through avenues like the Small Business Technical Assistance program. Even small businesses need to be wired to survive the current business environment and competition, requiring the help of small business computer support providers like RB’s Computer Service.
Writer Arif Mohamed underscores how technology improvement has allowed SME owners to organize their workplaces, in his article for Computer Weekly:
Setting up a small business computer network has become easier over the years as operating systems and networking technologies have improved, and storage and networking peripherals have evolved to incorporate plug and play features.
Wired or wireless?
A small business requires a small computer network that’s limited to employees. Current options, however, take into account the distance among employees and the time it would take to interact with each other’s machines, the article says, expanding the potential setup to either a wired or a wireless affair. The latter, for example, is useful if employees need to access the network while attending to work-related matters elsewhere.
Network components
A computer network for small businesses usually consists of a few desktops/laptops plus peripherals like printers, scanners, and a cash register or point-of-sale system. The computers themselves have to be powerful enough to handle the stress of daily operations and have business programs to aid employees with clerical tasks. Computer services can assess your needs to determine the right network size and components.
Protection
Even with your small setup, you need the full spectrum of security devices and applications that are essential for small businesses, according to Mohamed, as you don’t want anyone else piggybacking on your network or potentially causing mischief. Companies offering IT support in Minneapolis can lock down the network against intrusions. Your networking devices such as routers, for instance, may be programmed with security settings that are known only to you and your IT provider.
Internet browsers also need security software for periodic checks against hacking, spam, and spyware/malware; or to implement workplace policies such as surfing of non-work-related sites during office hours.
Having your small business computerized makes a difference in expediting your business operations. Call the right computer services that can offer effective solutions.
(Source: How to set up your small business computer network – Essential Guide, Computer Weekly)