<\/p>
In today’s business environment, technology is used to impact every section of a business. When used correctly, technology will skyrocket business growth. When left unmanaged, it can be a roadblock and lead to business failure.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Management of technology can be expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating. Large organizations have IT departments that research, implement, and support critical technology for the business. Small businesses may not have the budget and expertise needed to manage and secure technology solutions.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
To help companies that do not have managed IT services for small business<\/a>, we came up with the Sample Technology Plan for Small Businesses. This guide will review the essential technology that is at the core of most business operations. We will review each technology, why it is used, what we recommend, and best practices on managing the solution within your business.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Here are the technology categories each business needs. Click on each one for explanation and recommendations.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Firewall<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Email Service<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Centralized File Storage Service or Server<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Antivirus Protection<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Network Switch(s)<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Wireless Network<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Business Phone System<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Backup System<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System<\/a><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> A firewall is a device that is used to allow access from the company network to the Internet and secure access from the Internet and other office locations to your office. The device can block malicious users from reaching your servers and computers. A firewall can also provide content filtering, allow employees to work remotely, and provide internet redundancy by switching to an alternative internet provider in case of failure.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Secure the internet connection. Allow redundancy of internet connection, allow employees to work remotely.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Cisco Meraki MX appliance<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available: <\/strong>SonicWall, <\/strong>Fortinet<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Change default password. Configure content filtering to increase security. Small businesses should check devices at least once a month for security updates and review security logs. Larger companies will monitor the firewall in real-time using a security operations center. Configure critical notification to be sent to an email that is frequently reviewed.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Email service provider hosts the Mail server that he is used for day-to-day communications that is specific to business name.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Many companies require a business email to filter out spammers. A good email provider will synchronize all of your messages across every device you own and will simplify how you send receive and store email, contacts, and calendar appointments.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Microsoft Office 365.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available:<\/strong> Google Workplace.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Start by designating who is the administrator and create a backup administrator. Secure every accounts with multi factor authentication. Setup your teams, groups, and shared mailboxes for your departments. Configure security policies to protect your users.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Centralized file storage solution allows all of your documents to be stored in a secured location and easily accessible by inside or outside of the company.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Storing your files in a secure central location assures that all of your files are easily accessible buy all of your employees. Some of the new modern file storage solutions will allow you to easily grant access to the files when your employees are in the office or outside of the office.<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> A good modern file storage solution will also allow you to securely share the files with your clients and prospects and access to the file can expire after a specific date<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Microsoft SharePointfor cloud company drives. OneDrive for documents that are for a specific employee, and Windows File server for companies that need to have large amounts of\u00a0 data on-site.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available:<\/strong> Google Workplace.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Initial setup and configuration of individual account for each employee. Create groups of employees that are for different departments or teams. Manage access to files by groups and not by individual employees. Turn on multi factor authentication. Make sure youre data is properly backed up and you are able to perform a restore.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Antivirus protection prevents viruses and spyware from taking over your computer. Antivirus software can also alert you if there is a compromise in your business.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The primary purpose of antivirus software is to protect your computers and servers from viruses. However, with the constant rise of cyberattacks, protection from viruses is no longer sufficient. A good centrally managed antivirus solution is your early warning system to let you know if an intruder is inside your network.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Trend Micro Worry Free Service<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available: <\/strong>SentinelOne, Webroot, Bitdefender.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Initial setup and and configuration. Configure central management and notification of alerts. Configure exception for various applications. Designate who will login and check alerts on schedule basis.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The network switch links all the wired equipment in your office using network cables. The switch is usually connected to your firewall or internet router.\u00a0 When thinking of business network, think of network switch as the heart of your network. It connects to different devices using veins (network cables). The network switch then links to your brain (router) that allows you to connect to the Internet.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The most reliable method to connect technology equipment together is by using a wired cable. Cables are run to each office and are connected to the switch. Multiple switches are connectedto each other to expand number of connections possible. The main switch is connected to your firewall to allow network devices to access the Internet.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> There are three types of switches available. simple switch, smart switch, and managed switch.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Cisco Meraki MS Switch<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available: <\/strong>Meraki Go Switch, TP Link Smart Switch.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Smart switches and managed switches requite configuration and support. Start by setting up management IP and change default password. Check switches on scheduled basis for updates from manufacturer.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Wireless network will allow employees and guests to work securely anywhere in the office without the need for a wired internet connection.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Many devices currently used for business can only connect to the Internet using a wireless connection. Also, having a good wireless connection at your office can allow your employees with laptop to work from any section of the office.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Cisco Meraki MR Access Points<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available: <\/strong>Meraki Go, Ubiquity Unify.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Setup a data network, and guest network. Use data network for company computers only and keep the wifi password confidential. Make sure the guest network can not access any of your equipment on the data network, but can access the Internet. Optinally, limit the speed of guest network.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Business phone system allows for centralized voice communication between clients, employees and vendors.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Traditionally, conversations about phone systems were limited to phone numbers and phone calls. Today, phone systems are communication and collaboration solutions. Employees can work from anywhere and communicate with phone calls, chat, instant messages, and video conferencing. A good communication and collaboration solution will make it easy for your clients to communicate with you and simplify how employees will communicate with each other.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> There are multiple types of phone systems available<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> GoToConnect (Jive), Microsoft Teams, 3CX (On-site \u2013 VOIP).<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Additional Solutions Available: <\/strong>There are many vendors offering communication and collaboration solutions.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Reliable and low latency internet connection is critical to implementing a VOIP system. Implementing strong password and multi-factor authentication for management and admin access will help you avoid phone fraud.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The backup system will backup your servers, files, and applications. A modern backup system will also be able to provide business continued services to restore business operations quickly.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The backup solution is critical to the success of any business. With the rise of cybercrime, there is a significant increase in the attempt made to break into a business network. There are also dangers from hardware failure, user error, and natural disasters. The ability to quickly recover data and business operations depends on the type of backup used and the backup’s business continuity options.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> There are multiple types of backup solutions. Here is a list of solutions in the industry.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Backup and Disaster Recovery Appliance (BDR).\u00a0 BDR is a dedicated hardened server that is on your company network. The server backs up any company servers every hour. BDR can restore a single file, multiple folders, or an entire server. The backups are retained for a period of one year.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Once a day all the daily backups are backed up to the cloud. In an emergency, the backup device can virtualize the backup and function as the companies production server.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Here is a list of items to consider when setting up, managing, and supporting a backup system.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Customer Relationship Management System is a platform for managing company’s relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers. A modern CRM will keep track of communications, automate replies, and significantly improve the sales process for the business.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Here are the top 6 reasons companies choose to invest in a CRM System.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Selection for a good CRM solution will depend on your specific business. Some of the top solutions we observed. SalesForce, HubSpot, Zoho.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Data maintenance, system update, backup.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> ERP System is used to manage day-to-day business activities such as finance, HR, distribution, manufacturing. ERP systems collect data from accounting, CRM, order management, and shipping and allow employees and leadership to access all the information from the same Solution.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Companies implement ERP systems for the following reasons.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> ERP systems are business-specific. ECS has worked with many ERP solutions from various vendors. If you would like to know more about an ERP solution, contact us for more information.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Expert Computer Solutions (ECS)<\/a> is a leading IT Consulting company based out of Houston, TX<\/a>. If you own a business, we can assist by helping you select the right technology solution, implementing industry best practices, and providing ongoing IT maintenance and support. To find out how we can contact us and schedule a free business consultation<\/a>.<\/p> Would you like to get a PDF copy of our Sample Technology Plan for Small Business to share with your office? subscribe to our newsletter<\/strong> and and we will send you the full plan along with our bonus summary page.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>\n \n<\/p> In today’s business environment, technology is used to impact every section of a business. When used correctly, technology will skyrocket business growth. When left unmanaged, it can be a roadblock and lead to business failure. Management of technology can be expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating. Large organizations have IT departments that research, implement, and support critical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,34],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6647"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6647"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9895,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6647\/revisions\/9895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecsoffice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}#1 Firewall<\/h2>
What Is a Firewall?<\/h3>
Why You Need a Firewall<\/h3>
Firewall Solution We Recommend<\/h3>
Firewall Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#2 Email Service<\/h2>
What Is Email Service?<\/h3>
Why You Need Email Service<\/h3>
The Email Service Solution We Recommend<\/h3>
Email Service Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#3 Centralized File Storage Service or Server<\/h2>
What Is a Centralized File Storage Service or Server?<\/h3>
Why You Need Centralized File Storage Service<\/h3>
Centralized File Storage Solution We Recommend<\/h3>
Centralized File Storage<\/strong> Management and Support Recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>
#4 Antivirus Protection<\/h2>
What Is Antivirus Protection?<\/h3>
Why You Need<\/strong> Antivirus Protection<\/h3>
Antivirus Protection We Recommend<\/h3>
Antivirus Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#5 Network Switch(s)<\/h2>
What Is a Network Switch?<\/h3>
Why You Need a Network Switch<\/h3>
What Are Different Types of Network Switches?<\/h3>
Network Switch We Recommend<\/h3>
Switch Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#6 Wireless Network<\/h2>
What Is a Wireless Network?<\/h3>
Why You Need a Wireless Network<\/h3>
Wireless Network Solution We Recommend<\/h3>
Wireless Network Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#7 Business Phone System<\/h2>
What Is a Business Phone System?<\/h3>
Why You Need a Business Phone System<\/h3>
What Are the Different Types of Business Phone Systems?<\/h3>
Business Phone System Solution We Recommend<\/h3>
Business Phone System Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#8 Backup System<\/h2>
What Is a Backup System?<\/h3>
Why You Need a Backup System<\/h3>
What Are The Different Types of Backup Systems?<\/h3>
Backup Systems We Recommend<\/h3>
Backup System Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#9 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System<\/h2>
What Is a CRM System?<\/h3>
Why You Need a CRM System<\/h3>
CRM System We Recommend<\/h3>
CRM Management and Support Recommendations<\/h3>
#10 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System<\/h2>
What Is an ERP System?<\/h3>
Why You Need an ERP System<\/h3>
ERP Systems We Recommend<\/h3>
Subscribe to our newsletter now!<\/h2>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"