Just like your car, your IT network needs scheduled maintenance and preventative care to ensure peak performance for your business. Computers are machines with parts that will eventually wear out and technology in constant need of updates. Taking the proper steps to keep your IT network running at optimum efficiency will pay off in the long run by providing the following 9 benefits:
- Reduce IT maintenance costs
- Avoid unnecessary and emergency repair costs
- Increase speed
- Utilize current technologies
- Prevent problems
- Minimize downtime
- Increase productivity
- Eliminate wasted time
- Secure IT environment from viruses and hackers
Slow computer performance is one type of common IT problem that can stall business operations and drive people crazy. Following are a few helpful tips from Network Support’s Jay Beeman to improve computer speed:
- Upgrade to Windows 7 – Even though Microsoft’s “end-of-life” for Windows XP support is sometime down the road (April 8, 2014 to be exact), conventional IT wisdom says XP has seen its better days. If you purchased a PC that came with Windows XP, it’s probably over three years old and extremely slow now. Chances are you are due for an upgrade to a newer, faster computer with Windows 7. Upgrading to a new computer and Windows 7 will probably quickly pay for itself in added productivity.
- Delete Browser Toolbar Plug-Ins – Do you really use those tool bars in your Internet browser? You probably don’t, and those browser plug-ins can slow down your computer. Open Add and Remove Programs from the Control Panel in Windows XP or Programs and Features from the Control Panel in Windows 7. Look for items like Google Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar, MSN Toolbar, Ask Toolbar or any other one with the name toolbar. Uninstall them. It won’t break anything. If you find you miss them, you can put them back. But more than likely you notice a performance boost to your computer.
With a properly maintained IT environment, you will be prepared to keep moving your business forward. Watch for further tips here to stay on top of your IT network and computers from our team of network support specialists.
