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Myth #1 - Our
computers don’t need regular maintenance… they just run! Computer
equipment, like anything else with moving parts, needs regular maintenance to
run well. Those who neglect having their systems serviced usually end up
having to replace failed hardware or reload systems that eventually become too
unstable, constantly crash, or perform improperly. With proper maintenance,
your computer systems will last longer and run better and you can avoid the
costly emergencies and lost productivity that would otherwise result. |
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Myth #2 - Our network is
just "slow" and there isn't really anything that anyone can do
about it. This is one of the great scapegoats of computer
troubleshooting. Another example along the same lines would be "Just
reboot it. It's normal to have to reboot your computer all the time."
When technicians may not have the skills or desire to deal with certain
problems, they write off the problem as some great mystery. If there is a
problem, there is obviously a source to the problem and an accompanying
solution. True professionals don't offer excuses and true businesspeople
don't accept them! |
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Myth #3 - Technology
can’t really help my business or impact our bottom line. When
implemented incorrectly, technology can end up being just another expense to
maintain and a "necessary evil" of doing business. But when
technology solutions are implemented correctly as calculated and measured
solutions to improve your business, technology will cut costs, improve
performance, and put you miles in front of your competition. Technology
solutions can address all areas of business including communications, the
storage and exchange of information, scheduling, inventory, accounting,
research, operations, management, and marketing. |
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Myth #4 - Upgrading
computer hardware and software is just too expensive to be worth the cost. While it
doesn't always pay to be on the bleeding edge of technology, it can also be a
costly mistake to get too far behind. Many major network problems can be
solved or simply avoided by not letting software and hardware become
out-of-date. For example, software incompatibility issues with new printers,
palm pilots, or other devices are much less likely to occur if you are
running the latest version of Windows. New technologies that can address your
business’s growing needs usually depend on the latest versions of
software and compatible current hardware specifications. By keeping your
systems up-to-date, maintenance and troubleshooting costs of your computers are
greatly reduced and technology opportunities are opened to your business as
you don’t fall behind technology demands. |
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Myth #5 - The primary
job of the computer guy is simply to keep the computers (and server) running. As a business
owner, you don't always have time to keep up with the latest technology
trends and emerging products that might be an asset to your business. Who
should fill this position? In a large corporation it would be the CIO (Chief
Information Officer) or CTO (Chief Technology Officer) who would help
determine a vision and roadmap for the use of technology in meeting corporate
goals. In your organization, this role should be filled by your computer
service providers. Unfortunately, too many technicians remain largely
uninterested in learning about your business goals (or even your business in
general!) and feel that their primary capacity is just to keep the computers
running smoothly. |
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Myth #6 - The advanced
technology solutions that would really impact our business are out of our
price range. Many would be
surprised to discover the powerful solutions that are packaged into software
that they already own! Other solutions that may appear to be too costly at
first may quickly become more attractive when a cost-benefit analysis is
performed against the solution with your specific business model. Another
interesting development is the emergence of Linux,
a free (and very popular) operating system which can give you the opportunity
to test or even deploy many popular technology solutions without even having
to purchase any software or licenses! |
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Myth #7 - It is less
expensive to just hire “Uncle Bob”, a student, or a
“bargain” computer technician. It seems these days that everybody dabbles in
computers. Sources of seemingly inexpensive computer services range from
using college students, computer hobbyists, or even computer technicians who
moonlight for extra money. They may (or may not) charge substantially less
than professional consultants to accommodate for their learning curve and
unfamiliarity with your network. While this may at first seem agreeable to
your wallet, consider the following points: -Your network
becomes a test bed of trial and error and any savings are quickly eaten up by
the costs of lost productivity or having to fix problems.
-Professionals who specialize in servicing networks like your own are able to
identify and fix problems much more quickly than others, saving you both time
and money. -Those who
are inexperienced with servicing the computer needs of the Small-Business
sector are usually unaware of the popular cost-effective technology solutions
that could benefit your business. Thus, the options that they present are
limited by their experience and not usually the best use of your budget. -Only professionals
keep abreast of the changes (and specifically the technology improvements) in
your specific industry and become invaluable in helping you make informed
decisions that give you the advantage over your competitors. |
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Myth #8 - Nobody in
their right mind would spend “x” amount of dollars on computer
services! Some
businesses maintain meager technology budgets while others seem to spend
vigorously. Those that maintain a generous technology budget and invest it
wisely continue to improve their bottom line and outpace their competitors.
Meanwhile, those that have been burned in the past by technology usually look
at the "insane" spending and simply dismiss it with the thought
that "if we were doing as well as they were, we would be able to afford
those luxuries as well." Experienced
technology professionals can help you determine whether a solution is
"too expensive" or whether it will be an investment that will pay
for itself many times over. There is no substitute for performing a proper
Cost-Benefit Analysis of each business project to help determine which
solutions will boost your business. |
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Myth #9 - If they charge
less than “x” dollars per hour, they must not be any good. One of the
great myths that some computer service providers would have you believe, is
that if they charge a lot, they must be worth it. A less-obvious
manifestation of this is when computer consultants charge more for their
services because they have, say for example, over 20 years of experience. So
how much of your specific technology is over 20 years old? Let's say you are
running Windows98 on your network. How long has Windows98 been around? How
many years of experience could someone possibly have on Windows98? So do you
still feel benefited by "over 20 years of experience"? Probably not
enough to justify billing rates that have been inflated simply because
someone feels they should be getting their due for having been in the
industry for so long. |
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Myth #10 - All computer
guys/technicians are created equal. The "computer
industry" is a vast and diverse place representing everything from
programmers to web developers to networking and telecommunications and more.
Of all the various job descriptions that may fall under "computer
engineer" or "computer consultant", there is probably none
more demanding and more challenging than the job of the consultant that
supports the SMB (Small to Medium Business) sector. Not just anyone can
do it well. For example,
take your typical network technician from, let's say, Boeing. They never need
to touch or fix the telephone system. There is a special department for that.
They never need to troubleshoot or support the accounting software. Another
department deals with that. They don't need to perform a Cost-Benefit
Analysis on any given solution. Upper management has already done that and
made the decision. Yet an SMB Consultant needs to be skilled enough to be
your entire Information Systems department and more. Avoid the
consulting firms who are constantly focusing on "the big fish" and
simply serving small businesses to regulate cash flow. And certainly don't
leave the fate of your network in the hands of amateurs or hobbyists. Go with
experienced professionals who will focus on your business and get the results
you deserve! Contact us at
Locke Systems for a Network
Analysis or a Free
One-Hour Consultation to get past these myths and on with improving your
business! |
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