Should a computer network setup be easier than shelling peas in this day and age? On the contrary, it can be as difficult these days as it was in the past, not just because of the initial installation, but because of all the problems that appear later down the line if you are not careful. Here are a few things you should consider before you set up your business computer network.
How Will the Hardware Affect the Surrounding Area?
Your business computer setup and all the technology associated with it will need a place in your building. Some elements of your network are going to affect the surrounding area more than others. There are factors such as heat and even factors such as electrical interference. There are minor-but-still important issues such as where the wires will go and how you will fit all the technology into your building without it causing a fire hazard, stationary hazard, and even a fire-escape hazard if your location is a little cramped.
How Will the Surrounding Area Affect the Hardware?
Your small business computer setup may be affected by many things. For example, we all know that intense sunlight may harm PC monitors, bleach the colors from plastics, and so forth. But, what about humidity and heat. Your technology is likely to give off a lot of heat, and some of it may even need cooling to maintain a reasonably-optimal efficiency. The damp can affect technology in a number of ways, from leaving deposits in machinery to creating mold. You also need to consider if pieces of technology can get damaged in high-traffic areas and areas that are overly exposed to the elements, steam, or wet conditions.
What Are the Local-Physical Threats to Your Network?
When considering how to set up a computer network, you need to think a little harder about the local-physical threats to your network. What is your security like? You likely already know to cover up USB ports and maybe even lock them, but is that really enough? Is there any way you can put your servers behind locked doors? What will you do to ensure your machines are not tampered with at night? Is it possible for somebody to remove cords and/or plug things in such as ethernet cables or HDMI cables?
What Do Your Staff Do When the Network is Down?
When people are setting up computer networks, they rarely think about downtime. It happens and will happen again and again. It is up to you to figure out what your staff will do when your network is down. If work has to grind to a halt, then you are in serious trouble. What were your staff doing before you installed your network? Is there any way you can keep some of the old functionalities and methods so that your staff have something to do when the network is down.
Do You Have A Plan for Power and Uninterrupted Power Supplies?
When you set up a computer network, you need to consider power consumption and safe power consumption. High-end computers such as gaming computers will consume as much power per yearas three refrigerators. Considerations include overheating and suitable power transfer equipment. The new power costs should factor into your budget but you can assume that the increased productivity through having your computer network will more than offset the increase in utility bills.
How Easy is a Computer Network Setup, Upgrade And/or Extension?
Looking to the future, if you have your new computer network installed, how easily may it be scaled up in the future? How easy or difficult will it be to upgrade the system or extend it? Upgrades and extensions may sound like a scam, but you cannot assume that you will “Never” want more power, more computers, more connections, a faster network, etc. Sometimes, upgrades are scams, such as when they sell you the woefully under-powered silver package and then offer you the gold package upgrade at a hard-to-beat price. Still, if you think about upgrades, extensions and scaling up when you first install your network, then there should be fewer surprises later down the road when you actually “Need” upgrades, extensions, etc.
What Is the Real Cost of Training?
Many small businesses have trusted their network setup to that person who seems to know all about computers, and maybe she/he does…until a problem arises and he/she cannot figure it out. Such as when the new network triggers “Gaming mode” in all the computer monitors and there is a weird cross-hair icon on the screen that will just not go away.
It is not just the teething troubles and unforeseen problems either. It is also the loss of productivity as staff members learn the new system. The team you are using to install the network may be great at installing, but they may be as good at teaching as a Drama teacher who claims “Eminem” is her inspiration on LinkedIn.
The loss of productivity can be furthered by the expectation of results. Staff members feel pressured and so will skip things. They may take the long way around because they do not feel free to ask for help. Then there are the other staff members who will drag out the training sessions as long as possible because it is more interesting than their regular job.
Conclusion – Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
Your computer network setup needs to be planned from the very start, especially when it comes to safety and security. The benefits of installation should more than pay for any increases in expenses. Finally, don’t forget to look towards the future and consider how you can or will upgrade, especially if you are having custom furniture made to accommodate your new technology.
Check out more of our articles here at San Antonio Camera Installation if you want up-to-date and detailed information and tips on things such as camera installation and business security. Wouldn’t your server room or new computer network benefit from hi-tech surveillance?
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