If you run a small business, then you will understand how important technology can be. If you want to make sure that you are getting the best result out of your system or if you want to make sure that you are not exposing your business to any risk that is not necessary then this is the guide for you.
Not having a Reliable Backup
Never assume that your backup system is working as it should. If you do, then you may find that it’s just not working at all and that you have lost all of your critical data. This is the last thing that you need, but there are things that you can do to try and help yourself here. You have to make sure that you backup a test directory, and then make sure that everything is working as it should. If you do this, then you should be able to make sure that you have a good system in place. If you need some help with your backup, then simply consult your IT technicians as they should be able to work with you to make sure that you are getting the support you need.
Buying Poor Quality or Cheap Equipment
You have to understand that not every single type of hardware is created equally at all. You have to make sure that you are investing in quality gear. If you don’t, then you may find that you end up compromising your business and this is the last thing that you need. Poor gear may also lead to a shorter lifespan and more errors later. You may even experience corruption and this is the last thing that you want. If you want to get around this, then you need to make sure that the equipment you invest in is “business” class. If you need some help then check out this small business network setup checklist to make sure that your setup is the best it can be.
Overextending your Tech
If the PC that your receptionist is using is over 5 years old, then there’s a high chance that it will not hurt your business too badly when it dies. If you are using a server that is over 10 years old however then there’s a high chance that this will cripple your company when it does eventually die. All tech has a set lifespan and you may even find that if you don’t replace it before this time, you end up compromising your company. The useable life of your equipment will ultimately depend on how much you use your gear and the operating conditions that you have as well.
Setting it and Forgetting It
The most common error that a lot of small companies make is setting things up and then forgetting about them. IT and hardware will require you to perform routine maintenance and you will also find that you need to adjust it on a regular basis as well. You have to make sure that your routine is consistent and that you don’t leave something for years on end without checking on it. If you do this and make sure that you are performing continual inspections, then you won’t have a problem at all.
