IT Planning Will Prevent Future Problems

It is the goal of every business to grow, but if there is a lack planning, then new growth will bring new problems. This principle applies to every area of your business, including your technology. Without any planning towards the expansion of your technology, you could end up with a Frankenstein of a computer network that can cause monster problems to your business.

Is your computer network poorly planned and holding your company back? Here are a few warning signs:

• A complex and tangled web of Ethernet wires.
• Computer components from different decades.
• Different computers using different operating systems.
• A firewall that looks like Swiss cheese.
• Locating a file feels like looking for treasure in an ancient temple.

At Computerware, we specialize in repairing and making sense of computer networks that are experiencing growing pains. We can go in and organize your mess by mapping out the most efficient routes, install hardware and software that meets the needs of your company, and prepare an IT roadmap that will ensure that your network will be able to handle the future growth of your business.

Some people may think that mapping a computer network is a simple matter of connecting a few wires and plugging them into a computer, but this can actually be a fairly complex procedure. Network mapping uses several tools that integrate with your network to automatically discover the best possible connections. There are also network mapping techniques like route analytics, and simple network management protocol (SNMP). These techniques can be used to visualize and identify how end devices and the transport layers that provide service relate to one another.

This mapping process allows us to identify the computer components that bottleneck the flow of information. Armed with this knowledge, we can then recommend upgrades and replacement parts to make sure every piece in your network is working at maximum capacity. We may even discover that certain pieces of your network, like servers, are underutilized. If this is the case, then we can use a process called virtualization to go in and remove several old servers by consolidating their functions into newer servers. This means that your network will be able to do everything that you need it to do while using half the amount of equipment. Whatever problems we discover in your network, we will be able to find hardware and software solutions that will work with your budget.

Now that your network is properly mapped out, you will notice that everything will be running smoothly. In order to keep it this way, we will shore up all the loose ends so that one computer virus does not undo everything. To make sure that your network is impenetrable from attack, there is an optional security procedure called penetration testing. Also called pentesting, this is a process that mimics a virus attack in order to discover the vulnerabilities of your firewall. After a weak point in your network is discovered, we can then go in and strengthen your network so that your company can grow without having to deal with the stress that comes from worrying about a virtual attack.

With your IT infrastructure protected, properly mapped out, and outfitted with the right technology, your computers will be operating at maximum capacity, and your IT growing pains will be eased. Another service that Computerware can offer your business is creating an IT roadmap that will keep your network in working order well into the future. An IT roadmap is a plan that lays out what new pieces of technology you will need when it is time to expand once again. This will ensure that your newly organized network will not fall apart when your business has another growth spurt. With our IT roadmap, we will evaluate how your future growth will affect your future IT needs by laying out how many additional servers, PC's, laptops, and software licenses you will need in the upcoming years. Having an IT roadmap will not only ensure that you will have the right parts when you need it, but it also means that you will be able to plan your technology expansion into your budget.

A properly mapped out network will run great, but technology is imperfect and will require future service calls. This is where all of this hard work and planning really pays off. With an intimate knowledge of your network, we will be able to go in, instantly pinpoint the problem, and make the repair as fast as is humanly possible.

If you couple a well-designed network with Computerware's remote monitoring and maintenance service, then a visit from a service technician will be a very rare occurrence. With our remote service, we will be able to detect and fix an IT issue on our end, before it is able to cause enough damage to warrant a service call.

You do want your business to grow, but you also want to be prepared for growth in order to avoid growing pains. A business that has fewer pain points will be more enjoyable to run, and a business that is better organized will be more profitable. If your company is expanding, and you know a bottleneck exist somewhere in your network, then give Computerware a call at (703) 821-8200. We can analyze your IT infrastructure and identify the pain points that are holding you back. We can also discover vulnerabilities with our free security scan, and partner with you to find IT solutions that will make your technology work for you, instead of against you.