Small Business Network Setup With Managed IT Services

Connectivity. Aside from enough money, it is the most essential component of an office environment for your new business. Nobody can live without email, the internet, file sharing, or backups anymore.

A small business network infrastructure should be well thought out and planned, and it should be done by a professional who often understands a company’s needs better than an owner does. They will ask the right questions to assess present and future requirements. That is why managed IT services are so crucial to a small business owner.

In the beginning, a new company owner has to wear many hats, and the help desk hat or computer whiz hat is not one of them. That person needs to drive sales, supervise employees, care for the finances, and manage everything else. They need their technology to just work.

What goes into setting up a network? Read on to find out more about how to achieve the connectivity that is so important for success.

Small Business Network Components

Here are some items that go into a complete small business network setup:

Cabling

There are two schools of thought regarding how everything is connected. Many businesses now use laptops instead of workstations and rely on WiFi to get the job done. Others have set up workstations and need the full speed of a wired connection. Some have both as a failsafe.

Server

Gone are the days when employees worked from personal machines. Security now dictates that files are kept centrally for version control, standards compliance, and backup purposes. Also, deciding which operating system works best for everyone is fundamental to make sure everyone can access the server and the data held on it.

Network Switch

This switch is how all your components will speak to each other over the network and how your workstations access the internet. All users connect to the switch, which has one port that speaks directly to the router.

Firewall/Router

This component is the first line of defense between a small business and malicious internet attacks. The router is also the WiFi point of access if employees are using laptops and mobile devices. A router also provides the point of access to any cloud services that a business uses, included Microsoft Office 365, email servers, and offsite digital storage.

Printers/Fax Machines/Copiers

The norm is to have machines that can perform these tasks connected to the network so that everyone has access to them.

The Role of Managed IT Services

A managed service provider will assess the business’ requirements and goals, and help decide on the right operating system based on company needs. They are familiar with makes and models of equipment and will assist with cloud computing resources.

They can also offer help desk services, network monitoring, back and restore solutions, email management, and breach mitigation. Their role is to keep connectivity and uptime as consistent as possible, so a company can keep on working.

You Will Know When You Are Ready

Before a business occupies a physical space is when it is time to hire a managed IT services provider. They will help plan connectivity, telecommunications, and capacity management, making it easier to get a business set-up and prepare for potential growth. They will also help keep data safe, backed up, and accessible to everyone who needs it.

No business should go it alone when data breaches and internet security have never been more vulnerable. Contact us to set up an appointment and see how we can build a robust network infrastructure together.

Sagacent Technologies offers technology management and support, including proactive/preventative maintenance, onsite and offsite data back-ups, network and security audits, mobility solutions, disaster planning and emergency business resumption services. The company serves clients of 10 to 150 employees within the Silicon Valley region.