You’ve got the name. You’ve got the LLC. You’ve got the passion and drive. But how do you keep your business running smoothly from the start? Quality technical support.
It’s important to start your new office network off on the right foot by having the proper infrastructure for IT. Here is a list of what we believe to be the basic essentials to have when starting a new business.
Computers that fit your specific business needs
Not all computers are built to serve the same purpose. If you are a design firm, you need to have a high-quality graphics card. If your business involves using at least one resource-intensive program, you will need a lot of RAM to keep up. Or maybe your business doesn’t require a lot of computer power, so you need something basic that can run Microsoft Office and access the internet.
Picking the right computer can take a while and takes a lot of expertise. Picking the wrong computer can cost you a lot of money now or later on down the road. We recommend consulting with a computer expert before making a big IT purchase.
Another important aspect of finding the right computers is setting them up for networking through a local or cloud-based server. Servers can help streamline your workflow by managing your users, securing your data, and sharing files across the board. This isn’t something the non certified technician can do because they are not trained for implementing best practices, so having a professional come in and set it up for you is definitely recommended.
Backup and business continuity plan
Selecting the right backup and business continuity solution is one of the most critical steps in your office network design. No matter what your business is, you likely have a lot of important data stored on your computer. Do you have a backup plan in place in case your computer crashes or there is a natural disaster that destroys your data? We are particularly susceptible to data loss in Florida since we oftentimes have extreme weather conditions. A reliable data backup solution brings your business back to the operational state at the shortest amount of time.
Hosted email solutions
As with computers, each business has different email needs. A basic email would be fine to start out with, but if you want to hit the ground running, you’ll need something more customized to your business and it’s needs.
If email is your main form of communication with both clients and staff, invest in a good system. If you do a lot of collaboration with your staff through documents, you may want a cloud-based solution that allows you to work on the same document at the same time and message each other with information.
Furthermore, you want your email address to look professional. An official email address that is “some [email protected]” may give off the impression to customers that your business is not professional and doesn’t take themselves seriously. Fortunately, having a custom email address, such as “[email protected]” is simple to set up.
Website design and search engine optimization
In terms of online marketing, we believe it is crucial to have a website in this day and age, regardless of your business type. If you sell anything, an eCommerce store could really help your business. If you don’t sell anything, you can still provide information about your services through your website. Having a website is your opportunity to have control over your image and reputation online.
But if your website is poorly designed and managed, it can do more harm than good. Check out our portfolio to see examples of custom web design.
Final thoughts
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes in terms of IT. You may be too busy to study what you need and implement it. That’s where IT services companies come in. Having a professional come in and design your office network and set your new business up with the essentials will set you up for success in the long run. That’s how you can use technology to stay ahead of your competition.
We would love the opportunity to help you get started on the right foot. Give us a call at (386) 238-1692 or email us at [email protected].
