Small businesses often grow in fits and starts. We scale up and down as business demands, striving for a level of speed and efficiency that helps the business compete in the marketplace, whether that be using an automated dialing system or completely reviewing the current technology. As your business grows, you may be thinking about installing a computer network to make your business IT operations more efficient. Here are six signs that your business needs a computer network:
- If you have more than 5 computers.
As your business scales and you add employees, networking your computers just starts to make sense. There are more efficiencies in setup, virus and sensitive information protection, and shared storage that translates to efficiencies in the work your staff performs. Plus, when you’re buying software licenses, buying in bulk can save you money over buying them one at a time.
- If you have more than one printer.
Employees want to be able to print without fighting with the printer. That may be the most obvious advice we’ve ever given, but it demands to be said. Having choices in where your team prints makes for a happy workforce.
- If you want your staff to find documents faster.
Some recent statistics show that the average employee spends as much as 2.5 hours each day looking for information. That’s a lot of productivity wasted that could go toward your bottom line. While having a business computer network alone won’t solve that problem, having a well-organized computer network can cut that down significantly. Employees must be trained to store documents in their proper place, using a naming convention that helps employees find documents easily.
- If you want fewer headaches in administration.
Managing desktop logins and passwords becomes an easier task by using a business computer network. That also makes it easier to control credentials as employees are hired and fired, securing your workstations. Policies are easier to implement as well, making sure employees can only access the data they are supposed to access.
- If you hate viruses.
And who doesn’t hate viruses, right? Virus protection software can be administered across the network, keeping all of your desktop and laptop machines up to date and virus free. As new updates are available for your business software, a centralized network can keep your staff’s machines up to speed, reducing your risk.
- If your employees work from home.
In a remote and blended-remote environment, your business computer network can give your staff access to needed files. A virtual private network, or VPN, can make accessing your remote server safer for your employees and your files, while increasing your productivity.
Your business was built to grow. And your employees rely on their computers for nearly everything they do for you. Investing in a business computer network gives you the flexibility you need to grow efficiently. It protects your assets. It makes you less vulnerable to hackers while keeping your employees happy and productive. (And isn’t that what it’s all about?)
As your business scales, consider establishing a relationship with an outsourced IT company like Invision. When a problem occurs, an Invision technician will make a “house call” to your business, efficiently diagnosing and repairing your network or server as part of your managed IT services. You’ll spend more time running your business and less time fixing the printer, administering logins, and keeping up on the latest software and policy updates.
If we can help your business scale, let’s talk! The outsourced IT professionals at Invision have helped guide Kansas City businesses as they scale and grow for more than 20 years. We’ve seen the same growing pains you’re going through and can help you plan several moves ahead.
