Ten Warning Signs That Your Business May Need a Server

Ten Warning Signs That Your Business May Need a Server

by Ernest O’Dell -

QuestarTeleCommunications and QuestarPC

Scale Up Your Operations Before It's Too Late

If you’re a small or medium business owner with more than one computer in your office, perhaps it’s time to consider investing in a server. A server with a large drive isn’t expensive, and it will keep your data secure and organized. It will also help you run your business more efficiently and professionally and save you a lot of headaches in case one of your workstations crashes on you.

If you’ve reached one of the 10 thresholds below, a server could do your business a world of good:

 

1. You Have Two or More Business Computers

The bottom line is, if you have two or more computers in your business, then it’s time for a server. Whether you are networking them by coax or by wireless, you run the risk of losing data and resources if one (or worse, both) crash on you. And if you have three or four workstations in your business, then you’re just compounding your problems and asking for trouble. By storing and organizing data in a core location, you’ll be able to access and share files easily and manage business information more efficiently.

　

2. You Have More Than One Employee

A server enables you and your employees to share software tools and access company databases on-site and off-site. As your business grows, you’ll be able to better manage additional computers and software applications and better control which employees and devices have access to certain information. With a server, you’ll be able to relegate different permission levels to each employee depending on their job function.

　

3. Your Customers Think Your Business Is Owned by Go Daddy

If you’re still using a Web site hosting company like Go Daddy®, then it’s time to upgrade to your own server. Hosting your own Web site and email system presents a more professional image and enables you to conduct business more easily by consolidating email accounts. Let’s face it: image is more powerful these days than people give it credit.

　

4. You or Your Employees Conduct Business Outside the Office

If you work from home, travel frequently or have a mobile workforce, a server will allow you and your employees to remotely connect to your company network and access information and resources no matter where you are. With today’s

virtual office technologies, unified communications and “cloud” computing environments, your business will only be held back from its growth without a server.

　

5. You’re Tripping Over Cords

If you have two or more computers that share access to the same peripherals, such as printers and fax machines, it’s time for a server. Not only will a server help you eliminate the mess of excess cords, it'll also help you save the cost of buying them.

　

6. You Can Never Find That Master Document When You Need It

If you share documents between multiple computers, you run the risk of losing important files and of having multiple versions of vital documents. A server will help you manage your files and provide a centralized location for you to store and organize important documents, so that you always have access to what you need, when you need it.

　

7. Your PCs Are Getting Old and Grumpy

Who would think that you would be chained to an old curmudgeon? Whether you want to replace your old PCs or help them function better, a server can help you. A server makes the migration of files from an old PC to a new one a cinch, and freeing up memory and storage offers a welcome break to older PCs that are loaded down with tons of data. Plus, when you have your data stored on a server, it frees up hard drive space on your old workstation and reduces the need for defragmentation.

　

8. Your Computer Crashed and You Lost Critical Data

If you have valuable files and data that can’t be replaced, a server will help you protect them from loss and corruption. You’ll be able to back up information easily and restore files that were accidentally deleted or misplaced. You’ll almost never have to worry about a crashed hard drive wiping out your system again.

　

9. You Want to Protect Information from Unauthorized Users

A server will allow you to restrict access to sensitive information, such as financial records and personnel information, by storing it away from prying eyes. It will also allow you to better manage firewalls and virus protection, especially when you have a mobile workforce.

　

10. You Want to Improve Communication with Employees and Customers

A server enables you to easily add platforms — such as customer relationship management (CRM) software and accounting programs — which allow you to schedule group meetings, share information, and manage clients and vendors. It also allows your employees to send group emails and faxes, and organize customer contacts and customer data in one location.

Ernest O’Dell is the Director of Business Development at QuestarTeleCommunications.com and QuestarPC.com, brokerages for telecommunications and I/T infrastructure needs for the 21st century. He can be reached at

Ernest.ODell@QuestarTeleCommunications.com or phone at 806-297-3241.