The benefits of a computer network

A computer network allows you to share information and resources, such as printers and databases, from one computer to another. A network with the right software helps you increase employee productivity and reduce costs. Every business is unique and has different working practises, but almost all will prosper from the following network benefits:

• Mobilise your staff with access to their email, diary and contacts anywhere.
• Help team mates work together and avoid duplicated work.
• Make sure everyone has the latest version of important documents.
• View and share diaries, contacts and tasks.
• Save money by sharing printers and fax machines.
• Centralise your company's data storage and backup.

Most small businesses start out with a simple workgroup of connected computers through a switch and then progress to a client / server network as their business grows.

How do you know if you need a server controlled network?

Ten signs that tell you that you need a server controlled network are: 

• Your need to join more than 10 computers or workgroup is running slowly.
• You spend lots of time searching for files or copying them from one machine to another.
• You would like to centralise key business data like diaries, customer records, accounts and orders.
• You want to restrict access to confidential files, since you are worried that a nosy employee might find sensitive files on your network.
• You want to accommodate flexible or home-working for your staff.
• You want to be more responsive to your customers.
• You want your own email address (e.g. @yourcompany.co.uk) rather than one provided by an internet provider (e.g. @btinternet.com).
• You keep buying printers, faxes and internet accounts as you add new people.
• You have lots of viruses and network problems.
• You are suffering from paperwork overload.

Server controlled networks allow a business to grow whilst keeping costs down - find out more about Microsoft Small Business Server.