7 IT TIPSFOR SMALL BUSINESS

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in-

creasingly find that their IT system is a crucial

part of their operating infrastructure. From giving

out quotes to taking and filling orders or schedul-

ing and organising mission critical processes, a

well-functioning IT system can be essential to opti-

mising your company’s performance. We’ve com-

piled 7 IT tips that can help you get the most out of

your IT assets.

Computer Cleaning: • Ensure your computer’s interior is clean is

essential to keeping your hardware working as

long as possible.

• Various foreign objects and dust

can lead to blocked cooling

fans, causing your hardware to

overheat and potentially even

short circuit.

Hardware Checkups: • Regularly performing diagnostic tests on your

hardware can help extend its lifespan and avoid

catastrophic failures

• One free diagnostic resource

you can use is the Windows Disk

Defragmenter utility, which offers

functionality designed to help keep

your disk drive in good condition.

Cloud backups: • This method solves the problem of redundancy

in regards to location that can face SMEs based

in a single location.

• Backup over the cloud takes

advantage of massive, highly

secure server farms in redundant

locations.

Separate system backups:• When backing up to a device that your company

controls, make sure that this device is not

customarily connected to your main IT system

• Disconnect the device after the

backup is complete, or to use USB

sticks to transfer data to a backup

system which will not be affected if

a virus or some other system fault

occurs on your main system.

Schedule regular service checkups for hardware

Backup your data

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Keep manufacturer ’s warranties & software versions current: • When purchasing expensive hardware, it is crucial

that you keep the manufacturer’s warranties

associated with those warranties current.

• Care should be taken when it comes to

keeping your software and operating system

updated to the most recent version offered by the

software provider.

Significant advantages include:• Affordable access to a wide variety of solutions

• Enhanced IT usage flexibility

• Improved data security

• Enable focus on your company’s

core competencies

Beyond Back Ups• A business continuity plan goes beyond simply

backing up data and allows you to make a copy

of your entire operating environment in case of an

outage of system malfunction of some sort.

• You can simply restore the saved image of your

environment and continue working while your main

environment is repaired or debugged.

Warranties & Software

Migrate to the Cloud

Maintain a business continuity plan

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sales@bright.co

Protection: • Whether a business is large or small, setting

up a firewall is recommended to protect against

malicious software programs, whether in the form

of malware, viruses, or ransomware.

• A firewall’s main function is to protect a network

from outside attacks. It acts as a barrier designed

to protect a company’s internal network from an

insecure outer network, such as the Internet.

• To decide what type of business class firewall is

most appropriate for your business, it is necessary

to determine how many users utilize your network.

The greater protection businesses need can be

provided by two main types of firewalls:

• SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) <50 users

• Enterprise class >50 users

Growing businesses need IT Infrastructure • Many SMEs find that as their business grows,

their IT system needs increase correspondingly.

• Managing the growth of your business and your

IT infrastructure can be a challenge.

• Instead of ramping up your IT staff and

expenditures, it makes sense to outsource this

function to a managed IT services firm.

• This approach allows you to focus your

company’s energy and resources on doing what

you do best: operate your business.

Some of the advantages of using a managed

IT services firm include:

• Convenience

• More efficient scaling using

outsourced expertise

• Reduced commitments by using

outside personnel

Invest in a business class firewall

Outsource as needed

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