Technology improvement tips to move your business forward (3 min read)
Technology plays a huge role in any organization, no matter how small or large it is. One of the biggest challenges in an organization when it comes to their network, is trying to understand how it is laid out. Having a visual map of the network is a huge help as this will help you in understanding where your bottle necks are and possible points of failure.
Technology plays a huge role in any organization, no matter how small or large it is. One of the biggest challenges in an organization when it comes to their network, is trying to understand how it is laid out. Having a visual map of the network is a huge help as this will help you in understanding where your bottle necks are and possible points of failure.
1. Prepare for the cloud
Any upgrade, improvement, new equipment, new service, think cloud first. Would this investment work with the cloud? Is it compatible? Is there a cloud version? Cloud computing is the future, to take your business to the next level and stay ahead of your competition, cloud is the way to go. Cloud enables organizations to cut their expenses and with so many different pay-as-you go plans, you can grow or scale back as you need.
2. Simplify your network
Adding switches, more servers, firewalls, software, and any other type of appliances sounds like fun right? Adding these types of devices without the need can only complicate things. Look for applications or appliances that can do multiple things/services for your business. Get a firewall/router device that can do web filtering for your network. Office 365 license comes with multiple services such as: Exchange, Microsoft Licenses, Skype for Business, OneDrive, etc. Signing up with Office 365 can solve many of your organizations issues and improve functionality within the organization.
3. Think proactive
Sometimes trying to save a few bucks in technology can cause down time, which can be very expensive. Is your firewall 8 years old? Are you still running XP machines or Server 2003? Perhaps is time to upgrade? TheCompuLab recommends replacing workstations every 4-6 years and network appliances as they become no longer supported by the manufacturer.
4. Train your users
Training your users the proper way, can save you lots of headaches. A vast majority of network attacks are accidentally initiated by employees. Clicking where they are not supposed to, opening phishing email attacks, spoofing attacks, downloading rouge applications, etc. TheCompuLab offers a training program to keep your users aware of the latest scams out there.
5. Secure the most you can
If you don’t think users should be responsible for installing software, remove access. Block malicious websites, remove users from local administrator accounts, install Anti-Virus software in all the machines and monitor the software to make sure all updates are being done and the latest signatures are being applied.
A CIO’s job, or any person in charge of a company’s network has become a lot more complicated in the past few years than ever before. With so many options, vendors, cloud computing, cyber-attacks, and just an overall overwhelming array of network options, it is very concerning for business owners and/or CEO’s.
