Nobody can deny that computers and technology have made businesses function more efficiently.
Computers and the internet have revolutionised the way in which businesses approach their work. As technology continues to advance, things are becoming even more efficient. Gone are the days of memos and faxes. These days businesses use emails as a more reliable and efficient means of communication. Automated tasking systems and specialist software have streamlined operations and allowed businesses to improve the architecture of their business.
The ability to collaborate with people virtually
Technology and the internet have made it easy for geographically dispersed teams to communicate and collaborate from anywhere in the world. Conference calls, e-mails, cloud computing and Skype have completely flattened the world in terms of communication and conducting business. For example, conference calls allow you to hold meetings with clients and prospective clients who are based on the other side of the world. Some businesses even interview potential staff members via the use of Skype and video conferencing.
Database management
Gone are the days when handwritten records and large files were kept in filing cabinets. These days, 10 times as much (if not more) can be stored in less than a tenth of the space. Computer databases allow for large amounts of data to be stored for as long as it’s needed, as well as making it easily accessible with just a few clicks. Databases have brought all sorts of benefits to businesses; these include loyalty programs, improved customer management, and the ability to store hundreds of thousands of names in one location.
How has technology changed IT support companies?
It goes without saying that IT support companies are always changing. This is because they have to constantly evolve to cater for new technologies and software. Gone are the days when the primary reason IT support companies were involved was to fix computers. These days an IT support company can be called upon for advice on anything from disaster recovery planning and software problems, through to network cabling and telephony. The majority of business owners find new technology overwhelming, so it doesn’t help when IT support companies don’t explain their service offerings as well as they should.
Below is a guide to some of the most common services offered by IT support companies:
IP Telephony
IP telephony is an umbrella term for voice over internet protocol. The concept is the of IP telephony is the same as traditional telephone systems, the only difference being that your phone calls travel as packets of data on shared lines. Regardless of whether you have two extensions or eight hundred, the right IP telephony systems can enable you to communicate effortlessly from anywhere. An IT support company such as ourselves, will be able to advise you on the best system for your needs.
IT infrastructure
Having the right IT infrastructure is key to creating business agility. Massive infrastructure contracts are no longer the norm. At CSG we advise our clients on all aspects of their IT infrastructure, including configuration, implementation and on-going support. The primary objective of any IT support company that offers an IT infrastructure service should be to optimise equipment and reduce costs. Essentially, all the equipment that your business has is classed as infrastructure.
Network cabling
Modern network architectures rely heavily on the speed in which data is transported. Efficiency is paramount when cabling networks. It’s important that businesses get the best out of their respective networks, e.g. high performance and no downtime. Network cabling services can include anything from fibre optic cabling and blown fibre cabling, to wireless bridging and the installation of local area networks.
Email management
Emails present businesses with a plethora of communication advantages, but they also represent a number of large risks. Inadequate email management can result in the loss of sensitive data and negatively impact the continuity levels of a business. Many businesses are now investing in content and image control services that scans emails and attachments to identify malicious or inappropriate content sent by employees. If an IT support company provides email management services, they should be able to advise you on email security, content filtering, email continuity and email archiving.
Virtualisation
Virtualisation is the creation of a virtual operating system, server or storage device. It’s a great way to increase business agility and rapidly reduce recovery time in the unfortunate event of a disaster. The aim of virtualisation should be to reduce costs via consolidation, improve staff productivity levels, and improve business continuity.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing allows businesses to have enterprise structures without the headache of managing expensive, complex systems. So what is the cloud? Cloud computing essentially means storing and accessing data via the internet rather than your computer’s hard drive. The cloud is just an umbrella term for the internet. Cloud computing is something that has taken the business world by storm, as not only can you securely backup and store data, but you can also collaborate with colleagues and edit each other’s documents via the internet.
At CSG, we have been providing IT support to business throughout South Wales, Bristol and Exeter since 1985!