Cloud Computing helps a computer run faster, facilitates virus protection, offers the latest version of the provider’s software and reduces the number of potential computer problems.  Software programs don’t use up computer memory and updates don’t require a manual download.

Cloud Computing makes software an operational cost instead of a capital expense, but this article is more about what concerns are created by the utilization of Cloud Computing.

If you’re going to utilize Cloud Computing you’ll need to make sure your internet circuits and data network are up to snuff.  It would be good to request utilization reports from you’re internet service provider, to determine what percentage of your current bandwidth you’re utilizing.  If you’re close to mazing out your circuits, you’ll need to upgrade their bandwidth.

You’ll want a dedicated internet connection, T1 or fiber, for security.  If you’re utilizing the Cloud, you’ll most be likely be transmitting sensitive and private information over your internet connection, so you’ll need to protect it from the outside world.  

If you have multiple locations and they’re all going to be accessing the software, you’ll want a private wide area network, like Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS).  MPLS is a completely private and secure way to connect all of your locations, over the internet, and allows for all types of transmissions, including voice, video and traditional data.

In order to receive the bandwidth you’re paying for and to maximize the performance of your circuits, you’ll want to prevent employees from connecting to bandwidth hogging applications like internet radio and other streaming sites.

If your company is considering utilizing Cloud Computing and would like to receive a network assessment, please call Philadelphia Business Tech Support today or complete the form on the right side of this page.

]]> http://philadelphiabusinesstechsupport.com/preparing-your-business-for-the-cloud/feed/ 0 http://philadelphiabusinesstechsupport.com/new-telecom-services/ http://philadelphiabusinesstechsupport.com/new-telecom-services/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:06:43 +0000 http://philadelphiabusinesstechsupport.com/?p=101 You might think that your tech company can only help you with your computer equipment or local network.  Actually, your business tech support provider can help you procure new or replacement phone and internet services and assure their smooth installation. 

Business tech support providers work with internet access and phone services, especially VoIP services, like SIP trunks, on a daily basis.  They already know your network.  Why not include them when you’re shopping for new or replacement voice and data services?

Here’s four reasons why you should involve your business tech support provider when you are looking for business internet of phone service:

They know people.  Tech support professionals often worked at large companies that routinely purchased voice and data services.  Through their experiences, they know what to look out for and where to find the best prices and who provides the most dependable service.

It saves you time.  Why involve yourself in something as time draining as the procurement of tech related services?  Wouldn’t your time be better spent working on your core business?  By the time you start to understand the services you’re attempting to purchase, your project will be completed.

Procuring these services without their help is like entering an arranged marriage.  The services that you’re purchasing have to mesh with your existing internet and phone networks.  When you work without the involvement of your tech support provider you run the risk of subscribing to services that aren’t compatible with your network and equipment.

The installation of your new services will go more smoothly.  So much can go wrong during an internet or phone service installation.  You’re going to have to involve your business tech support provider anyway.  Why not involve them from the start and let them make the tricky decisions that can make or break a technology installation.

A good business tech support provider should be your technology partner.  They should guide you through all your technology decisions, to make sure choose the correct services at the best prices.

If you would like more information regarding Philadelphia Business Tech Support’s pricing and services, please call us today or complete the form on the right side of this page.  

Now, the internet and data networks are more robust.  Available bandwidth allows for remote monitoring and support.  Cloud based programming simplifies software management.

When I first entered the workplace, when there were updates to our programs or software, they had to be installed manually, one computer at a time.  Now companies can centralize their networks and manage software at one location.

Unless you’re a large company with hundreds of locations and thousands of workstations, you probably don’t need a full time I.T. staff.  Even if you are the large organization and have full time I.T. staff, you could use outsourced I.T. to support your remote locations.

If you’re a smaller company, it doesn’t make financial sense to the pay salary and benefits for a full time employee to perform business tech support.  And because outsourced I.T. support is affordable, it makes sense to relieve under trained employees performing other job responsibilities, of the task of managing your company’s computers or network.  Car dealerships are notorious for making their auto parts manager their I.T. Manager, for instance.

Companies that offer outsourced I.T. and business technical support services work with a number of different companies, so they have experienced almost every type of computer or network problem and know the best methods and network configurations.  Also, outsourced I.T. providers have established networks and can assist your company in procuring voice and data services at the lowest possible prices.

If you think that your company might benefit from outsourced I.T. support, call us today or complete the web form on the right side of this page.  

Clear your cache files.  When you visit a webpage on your computer, the computer stores the information on the hard drive so your next visit to the same page will happen faster.  Caching also helps reduce network traffic.  It’s a good idea to clear your computer’s cache once a week, to free up space on your computer’s hard drive and improve performance.

Boot your router or modem.  If your company’s internet connection goes down, one simple and easy solution is to simply power down your modem or router, wait a couple minutes and start it back up.  Nine out of ten times this practice will work.  Your internet will be back up and working and you wont have to waste an hour on the phone with your internet service provider.

Don’t open attachments on emails you don’t recognize.  No matter how tempting, do not open attachments or click on links on emails from senders you don’t know.  Computer viruses are almost always distributed through email.

Avoid downloading unnecessary software and programs.  Software uses up memory and requires time to load.  A computer loaded up with programming will under perform and run slower than it should.

If you think you downloaded a virus, cut off your computer’s access to the rest of your network and the internet.  This action will help prevent the virus from spreading to other computers and servers.

Use online speed test sites to measure the bandwidth you’re receiving from your internet service provider.  This is a good method to assure you’re receiving what you’re paying for.

If you receive an error message on your computer, copy and paste the message into a search engine, like Google.  If you have received an error message, chances are thousands have received the same message and that it’s been diagnosed.

If your company is experiencing issues that you can’t seem to work out on your own or if you would like the peace of mind of having a company provide 24×7 tech support, call Philadelphia Business Tech Support or complete the web form on the right side of the page.

Representatives that speak “English”.  You’re not an I.T. expert, so you need information in terms you can understand.  Too often tech guys seem to want to show off how much they know or are too used to talking with other tech people, so they can’t help themselves.  A good I.T. company trains their techs to communicate in a way that their customers can understand.

Problems should be resolved quickly and without too much of your involvement.  You’re not an expert so you shouldn’t have to diagnose your computer problem.  A technician should be able to trouble shoot the issue and get it resolved.  You shouldn’t hear about how difficult it’s going to be or anything like that.

One flat rate per month.  If you want to pay for trip charges or diagnoses, make that request but otherwise expect your provider to price their monthly fee correctly, so they can provide comprehensive coverage.

Unbiased advice and upfront disclosure of any agreements made with third party providers.  If you are considering a proposal for new business phone or internet services and seek the advice from your tech support provider, you want it to be honest and unbiased.  Many tech companies have referral agent agreements with telecom agencies.  That’s okay because the agencies have relationships with multiple providers and if your tech company is earning a residual income from the sale of such services it gives them a vested interest in their performance.  Problems arise when these arrangements aren’t disclosed upfront.

Technicians that are tuned into the industry.  You want a provider with technicians that have internal contacts inside internet service providers and computer equipment companies; people they can call to get issues resolved quickly.  There’s no advantage if techs need to start at the same place where most other people start.

Hiring the right tech company is an important decision.  When a tech company is a good one, you hardly know they exist; you have full access to your services and all your network devices are up and running.  If you know your techs’ life stories, you probably made a bad choice.

This is the kind of business tech support company we’ve tried to create at Philadelphia Business Tech Support.

Schedule a free consultation with Philadelphia Business Tech Support today.  Call us or complete the form on the right side of the page.