| I'm Concerned About Time Wasted On IT Issues |
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Time wasted on IT issues is usually a symptom of one of the following:
Incorrect Configuration When a business sets up a computer system, it needs to be set up so that the minimum desktop requirements are met. This is generally called "Standard Operating Environement" or SOE for short. Don't add software 'in-case' and certianly do not allow staff to add software as they see fit. Every software package intalled adds to the complexity and therefore increases the likelihood of failure and issues. The first thing to do is decide on the minimum requirements and remove every other software package, including toolbars and the like. Now with this minimum requirement, is the PC more stable? If there are still problems with configuration, it may be worthwhile to get a diagnostic done. Sometimes, it is simpler and cheaper to rebuild the desktops with your SOE rather than try to find the misconfiguration and then work out how to fix or workaround it. You can customise one or two machines for specific uses, for example, your accounts people will need a specialist program and perhaps your design crew etc. but leave that till last. Make sure your SOE is stable and capable. Once this is established, then convert your special computers by adding any specialist software. The same is true of your server(s) - make sure only what you need is running. Many installations just use 'default' settings which is not the best way to ensure the stability and security of your server. Services that are not used must be stopped and removed from the autostart list. The next requirement for servers and desktops is to update and patch them to the latest available patches and updates. This is usually free for most software. Patches and updates exist because they fix bugs and vulnerabilities. Use them! Insufficient capacity Older equipment slows and becomes unstable due to hardware aging or failing, inability to handle the load demanded of the latest operating system and applications, and the disks and files being overloaded with 'rubbish' - broken and temporary files, bloated registry (bloated with old installations and more rubbish) and perhaps even disk issues. Before you go out and buy new hardware, check and clean each desktop (and server) throroughly. As per "Incorrect Configuration" update and remove unused software. You could well be surprised the performance improvement these actions can bring about. If however, the latest program you are trying to use coupled with other programs require more memory, expect a more moder CPU or demand fast disk access, then no amount of cleaning and configuring will help - you need new computers. I must stress though, that in my experience, this is rarely the case as most people are doing today the same thing they were doing 2 or 3 years ago, with no problems. Hardware is relatively cheap these days, but installing and restoring files and settings can take a long time. Infection The problem is that most computer infections are masters at becoming invisible. Let me be blunt; most computers I have come across have infections - they are working ok, but they are infected and usually acting as a robot for some 'botnet' You cannot rely on a single Antivirus solution, let alone rely on a suite which includes spyware, adware, perhaps a firewall etc. Once the suite is compromised, you've lost all protection ALTHOUGH it may all seem to be working fine. You must have a backup checker that can be shown to be 'clean'. The quick answer to most of the above problems is to use our "Desktop Relief" and "Server Relief" products. Unlike other packages, suites and 'fix my computer' remedies that exist out there, our "Relief" range is a solution based on real technicians - the small installation is just an agent for them to schedule tasks, receive reports etc. Cars don't fix cars and computer software can't reliably fix software - trained people fix things! Our Relief system also ensure that scans, checks and updates/patches are performed every night, so your computers are in tip top condition all the time. |
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