You’re preparing for that first day, the day you open your doors to customers. Before that exciting day comes you need to prepare many things in the background of your new business. Once you’ve chosen a product, hired the best employees, you need to set up a network. Setting up a network allows you to work better within the office and with each as you are able to share information, computers, and other network equipment and most importantly internet access. Here are the important steps to creating the best business network for your office.
1. Make sure that all of the computers you want to connect to your centralized network have the proper hardware and settings. If you are using an Ethernet based, wired network you will need to make sure that each computer has the appropriate network card. Once the cards are installed you will want to make sure they are set-up and working properly. If you are using a USB or Wireless system make sure that all computers find and have access to the internet or network server.
2. Install or set-up your router and hook all of the computers to it. If you are using a standard Ethernet system you will plug the cable coming from each computer into the appropriate port on the router. You may also need to connect the router to your internet box unless the router comes with that built-in. Using enterprise network attached storage is a great option to save your documents and to back them up.
3. Determine if you will have a centralized storage device or computer. Dell and other companies offer several centralized storage solutions you can use. Choosing a centralized computer or other specialized Dell backup devices when you are first setting up your network will save time in the future. With a centralized data storage solution you can immediately program back-ups of all of your important electronic files from day one.
4. Re-visit each computer on your network to ensure that the proper software is installed and functioning correctly. Change any setting necessary to enable each computer to access the central storage device, a centralized printer, and any other centralized network equipment.
5. Finally, test your network. Check to ensure that each computer on the network has access to the internet. Check to see that each computer on the internet can access and save to your centralized storage. Check to see if computers on the network and talk to each other directly.
Once you have completed the set-up process for your business network you will enjoy the benefits long term. The ability to have a centralized office printer will reduce equipment costs by eliminating the need for computers at each workstation. The ability to share files from person to person will increase productivity among your employees. Access the a centralized storage device will protect your company by providing safe and secure backup of all of your electronic files.
So, now that you’ve got everything set up and running, it’s time to open the doors and welcome those first customers!
