VIRUSES, SPAM, ADWARE & SPYWARE
Perhaps the largest threats to today's networks are computer viruses and spyware. Within seconds, some viruses can wipe out years of work and cause thousands of dollars in damage. Spyware can turn your PC's into Spam Relays or log your keyboard strokes (like Credit Card numbers) without your knowledge.
Without both a good virus/anti-spyware protection strategy (more than just installing anti-virus/anti-spyware software) AND a solid data backup strategy, your business could be out of commission for days. In some cases, businesses have spent far more recovering data than a good backup system and anti-virus program would have cost. Sometimes data was lost forever after a drive crash or infection.
To further complicate matters, E-mail Spam has become the vehicle of choice to deliver viruses. E-mail programs and Anti-virus software must be configured properly and in good working order to defend against the constant threat of infection and ensure that your business can continue to communicate with others via e-mail.
While already an annoyance, ADWARE (the software which generates pop-up ads) has become a real problem. Some people are actually unable to perform their job functions because of the excessive pop-ups. Properly removing these types of programs can be a challenge even for a seasoned IT professional.
SECURITY
Security is an issue for many companies today, especially with new regulations regarding Personal Health Information. Without someone in your business ensuring that security requirements are met when work is performed, your vital information could be at risk to prying eyes or "hackers". Attention must be given on a regular basis to access and event logs to ensure the safety of corporate information.
DEALING WITH TECHNOLOGY
Upgrading, adding or maintaining technology can be a daunting task. Getting honest, unbiased advice from a product vendor or systems integrator is difficult - after all, they sell hardware and software. Without someone to represent you, the dealer could be selling you the solution that best fits his pocketbook - not your business.
DOCUMENTATION
Other problems arise when a network is poorly documented, the norm for many small business systems. Typically, a service provider will have many different technicians servicing your equipment, sometimes with little or no experience in your environment. Many times, different technicians will attempt to fix a recurring problem with the same actions, unaware of the previous work - wasting your time and money.
One of the major costs of using computers to do business stems from poor, inconsistent or non-existent documentation. Often times, money is wasted while a technician waits on information required to complete a task. As a former Nuclear Reactor Operator in the Navy, our owner Bob Ellison is well aware of the importance of complete and accurate systems documentation. Establishing proper documentation will almost immediately result in reducing overall IT support costs, and is a basic principle of doing business the Missing Link way.
TRAINING
Another area most businesses could use help with is user training. Are your users frustrated and confused by your business technology? Today's users must have a basic working knowledge of the hardware and software tools provided in order to be efficient. Countless support dollars are spent every day to correct damage caused by common user errors.
All Missing Link Technical Advisors have prior experience as technical educators. With this experience, we can provide a broad range of training - anything from specific application instruction to general computer and Internet use and awareness. You may even choose to have us train a person to be your Network Administrator, reducing your need to rely on outside businesses for daily operations.
WARRANTIES
After the sale, obtaining support for your network can be confusing. Is this repair covered under warranty? If so, what is covered - parts, labor or both? Did a hardware or software issue cause the problem? Is the vendor responding in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost? How many trips should it take to resolve a given problem? For someone without training or experience in the computer industry, answering these questions can be difficult if not impossible.