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Setting Up Your Small Business Office Network

Setting up an office computer network for a small business isn’t always an easy task. Even with some tech-savvy people on your team, setting up a network that’s built to last and easily expand as your business does can be difficult. While it’s almost always better to consult a professional office network design and installation company, Working Nets is here with a general guide to make the process easier for any DIYers.

Wired vs. Wireless

Within the past few years wireless networking has skyrocketed in popularity among small businesses, largely because of a great decrease in its price. The benefits of wireless networking are obvious, you won’t need to run as many cables through your workplace, giving you greater freedom with your setup, you can use it from anywhere on your premises, and you can offer guests easy access.

However, there are still some advantages to sticking with Ethernet-focused wired networking. Wired office networks will still have the edge speed-wise, be cheaper than purchasing a powerful router, and won’t run into as many connectivity issues that can sometimes plague wireless systems. At Working Nets, we recommend a combination system with wired access for any permanent terminals with wireless network availability for anything portable.

What Do I Need?

Windows and OS X have built in networking features that make setting up a simple office network fairly straightforward, Aside from the computers themselves, you’ll need a few basic pieces of networking equipment to start connecting your system together.  To set up a network you’ll need a router that connects with your internet provider and your main server. Larger set ups may need additional routers or wireless relays to ensure network coverage for your whole office.

How Do I Keep My Network safe?

It’s crucial that after setting up your small business’s office network, you take the time to implement ample security measures to keep your data safe. To start with you should make sure all your computers and your router are operating with active firewalls (this can be easily checked in their respective settings) to keep malicious software out. If you’re running a wireless network make sure that WEP encryption is enabled and that users will need to put in a pass key before accessing the network. Make sure networked computers are using the most updated and secure versions of their preferred web browser, and check their history to monitor for suspicious activity.

So this is All I Need for Easy, Safe Networking, Right?

Unfortunately, no. With cyber criminals become more prevalent and creative every day, maintaining an office network is a constantly evolving challenge. While the steps listed above will get you started on your way to a great office network, they won’t take care of everything. If you want complete network security, easy set up, and management, call Working Nets today! We’re a Maryland based company with years of experience managing networks of both large and small businesses, as well as a team of highly dedicated, well-trained technical experts who stay on the cutting edge of network management so you don’t have to.

To talk to someone about network management for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.

You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on FacebookTwitterLinkedIn and Google+

Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing IT using Managed Services

Handling IT can be a hassle for any business. Managing network setup, company email servers, and purchasing the right equipment can be a struggle. And it’s a necessary struggle. In the increasingly digital era we live in, it’s impossible to stay competitive without trying to leverage technology for your business’s benefit. But how can a small business keep up with ever changing technology without diverting manpower away from their day-to-day activities? The answer is easy. Managed services. Managed services is the practice of outsourcing IT setup and supervision to a company that’s dedicated to making sure that you can rely on your technology without worrying about it. WorkingNets is here with the top 5 benefits to using managed services for your small businesses IT needs.

  1. Control IT Costs: One of the biggest benefits of using managed services for your small business’s IT is that it converts a variable cost into a fixed rate. While taking care of IT yourself is theoretically cheaper (in some cases) that’s assuming you never mess up, or that there’s never a problem you can’t handle. Then it’s anybody’s guess as to how much money will be wasted in lost efficiency and manpower. Using managed services guarantees constant IT functionality at a flat rate.
  2. Stay Competitive: Not only does employing managed services for your small business IT needs improve your efficiency; it also ensures that you’ll constantly be using the latest technologies at their maximum potential, often without even realizing it.
  3. Focus Your Business: Managed services can help you drastically cut down on excess and refocus your business on what you started it to be. With IT management taken care of you won’t have to dedicate employees to taking care of tasks that they may be untrained for, and you won’t have to waste time on anything outside of doing what you do best.
  4. Reduce Risk: Hiring an outside firm for IT managed services substantially lowers your risk. Not only does it greatly reduce the odds you’ll ever be disconnected from the outside world, but it also ensures you won’t waste money on risky or uninformed IT purchases, and better protects you from malicious hackers and scammers.
  5.  Protects You and Your Clients: Hiring an IT firm to provide your small business with managed services means that you won’t have to worry about stolen company information, credit card numbers, email accounts, and the like. IT managed services will guarantee that you’ve got the latest attestall, DMZ, PCI Security Standards, and more at your back, making sure that you and your customers feel safe.

Interested In IT Managed Services for Your Small Business?

At WorkingNets, we provide managed services to hundreds of small businesses around the country. We employ only experienced tech professionals with insight into the latest emerging business technologies and risks, to ensure your IT is always working for you, never against. To talk to someone about managed services for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.

You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on FacebookTwitterLinkedIn and Google+