Network and Computing Services
Business Servers
Is your business ready for a Server?
If you’re a small business owner with two or more computers, you may have considered using a server system to help you run your business more efficiently, keep your data more secure, and communicate more professionally and effectively with your customers.
If you haven’t set up a server in your business, perhaps you’re overwhelmed by the idea of researching the subject. Or, maybe you have limited staff to help you accurately determine your technology needs. At one time, servers were used only by large companies because of their high cost and complexity. But today, there are affordable and easy-to-implement server systems designed for small businesses.
A server is a single, specialized computer that is used to centralize information and resources. This computer is loaded with server software that is designed to perform specific tasks such as file sharing, print processing, and Internet connectivity for each of the network’s “clients”—which include individual computers, mobile devices, and printers.
In this type of network environment (client/server), your business can achieve dramatic time- and cost-savings over a peer-to-peer network (connecting multiple individual computers together). With a server, you can:
- Share equipment (fax machines, printers) and resources (Internet access) to reduce costs.
- Back up your company information to help prevent data loss and to save time.
- Enhance security by controlling access to sensitive data (financial records, personnel information).
- Provide a central access point for information instead of housing information on individual computers. A server with the right software can bring you and your employees these additional benefits:
- Find, store, and share company information in one central, secure location to save time.
- Access business information—quickly and easily—whether you’re working in the office or on the road.
- Streamline the distribution of e-mails and faxes, especially
when targeting large audiences. - Improve the security of your network by allowing you to determine the individuals and devices that have access to your information and systems.
If your business has several computers but you’re still connecting them to each other in a peer-to-peer network, consider creating a client/server network to help save time and money and to consolidate your resources and increase employee productivity.
Some considerations:
- Do you want to centralize and organize your data because you can’t always find the right information when you need it?
- Can you efficiently share ideas and information with your colleagues?
- Do you need access to e-mail, data, and files while you are away from the office?
- Do you need better protection for your data?
- Can your employees share equipment and resources such as printers, fax machines, and Internet access?
- Do you have limited in-house information technology (IT) resources?
- Do you have a plan for creating backup copies of important information?
- Do you have a way to restore accidentally deleted files or previous versions?
- Is your business information protected from unauthorized users?
- Can you respond quickly to customer inquiries?
- Are you communicating with your customers and suppliers efficiently and effectively?
- Do you need to present a more professional appearance to your customers?
- Do you need the tools to manage evolving customer relationships?
