A hurricane could mean more than a couple of days without power.
Can your business survive for that long without access to your data?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. That’s 6-months that your business is facing a significant risk. One that could put you out of business.
Even if you have backup files in the cloud, downloading all of them could take several days or weeks depending on the amount of data that you have.
Some systems, like accounting and finance, need all the data to function properly. It is not enough to just download a couple of files, you need the complete set all at once.
As a small business owner, it might be complicated to understand the risk of your current situation or how to prepare for it. Yet, just because you don’t know about it doesn’t mean that the problem will go away.
Technology risks may not be tangible but the losses cause real damage. The trust that your customers have in you has been built over time and can be lost if you are unable to service them for a long period.
My goal is to help you face these risks and protect your business. I will share with you some things that I have learned after more than 30 years of helping small businesses with their IT needs.
Becoming a Trusted Partner
Have you taken your car in for service lately?
For most people, this is a very vulnerable situation. We know it must be done, we don’t know if what they are telling us is true, but we fear what could happen if what they are telling is true and we don’t act on it.
“We have to service the gearbox because….” or maybe “The cylinder head gasket is showing signs of….” and while the person is talking all you are thinking of is “How much is this going to cost me?”
We are completely vulnerable in these situations which is why it is important that you trust the people that are delivering a service to you. Also, it is valuable if they share with you the risks, benefits, and reasons behind the different options provided to solve the problem you are facing.
Today I want to share with you a primary step that I take with my clients to help them with the IT challenges they face. We need to understand your business philosophy. This knowledge helps us create a custom design for your network and company needs.
One key point in this discovery process is understanding your storage philosophy. Do you store all your data and information locally or in the cloud?
What is the Cloud?
In simple terms, the cloud is the mass of servers connected to the internet. These servers can “host” many business essentials, including email, online storage, software applications, and more.
Some of the most known cloud services are Dropbox, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft OneDrive, and Amazon Web Services.
Let’s compare “The Cloud” to the Electric Grid of Texas.
Generators are powered with different methods such as natural gas, coal, solar, wind, water, etc. It is not so important where the power comes from, or how it is transmitted, we just want the light to come on when we flip the switch!
It is the same with the cloud, we just need reliable and secure access to our data. The Cloud has many ecosystems such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and more. The features of the various ecosystems are not necessarily compatible with each other.
Also, not everything from “The Cloud” is beneficial. Adware, Botnets, Ransom Ware, Viruses and other threats exist there. Therefore, we must enforce security methods to minimize those threats.
Just Tell Me What I Need for My Business
At this point, people frequently say “Just tell me what I need for my business!” looking for a quick bottom line answer.
That is like asking “What kind of vehicle do I need?”. There are many types of vehicles (economy car, SUV’s, luxury sedan, trucks, etc.) and each of those satisfy different needs.
This is why you have to know the goal before picking the different services and ecosystems so that your business can function in the most efficient and effective way.
For this reason, we have created this map of services as a starting point to the journey of helping your business with its technology needs.
At Lone Star Network Communications (LSNC) we have been helping small businesses with their IT needs for more than 20 years and have more than 40 years of experience doing IT support in Houston.
Talking about trust… some of our clients have been with us for more than 20 years! This is what they are saying about us:
“Bob Bamburg is always just a text message and a moment away when I need any type of technical support. The phone system he provided to us almost 10 years ago is always updated with the newest software and performs like a fine Swiss Watch.” – Karen Sharp, FW Walton
“Bob has provided IT and phone system support to our company for the past 8 years. He is always prompt, professional, and thorough in his work, but more importantly we feel like he is part of our team and is always looking for ways to help.” – Seth Tobey, VP Sales and Marketing, Chesmar Homes
Stop worrying about “what ifs” anytime that you see a pop-up message saying that your computer might be at risk.
We are here to help you at your most vulnerable position and make it a strength so that you can do what you do best and grow your business.
Stop worrying about technology and start focusing on growing your business.
Bob Bamburg