By Dan Baldwin, Editor
951-251-5155 email
If you've got operations problems in your business you know you're loosing money.
So where's the best place to start looking to find something in your operations that's broken that you can actually afford to fix?
Start first by looking at your voice & data communications systems.
Many business owners have discovered that the root of their business operations problems were actually found in the way their business was communicating information between business units within their company and their customers, prospects and suppliers.
How do you Connect, Transmit and Protect your Business Information?
As the short video below suggests, finding the root of operations problems can often be as simple as confirming how you are connecting your different business operation units to each other, how your units are transmitting information to one another and how that information is protected before, during and after transit.
Should you connect over public or private networks? If you can afford a private MPLS network to connect your multiple, geographically dispersed business units you will command the ability to closely monitor and protect all aspects of your operations.
If cost is an issue, creating an IP-VPN using cheaper public Internet connections like DSL or coax cable works for may businesses but the higher long term labor costs of managing a public Internet IP-VPN could prove more costly in the long run.
For more tips please watch the short video below from CenturyLink that provides tips for improving your business operations.
Let a Telecom Agent or Independent Carrier Sales Partner Diagnose Your Ops Problem
When it comes to identifying and cost effectively solving communications problems that are creating operational problems for your business, no one has more experience than your local telecom agent or independent carrier sales partner.
Agents and partners are vendor neutral and so they can share with you all the communications war stories that they've learned from their other customers who've already solved some of the problems that you are currently struggling with.
To find a "Recommended Partner" in your area please visit www.BusinessPhoneNews.com and click on "Recommended Members".
CenturyLink Small Businesses Tech Tips Video: Improve Your Business Operations
Video Transcript:
Technology is vital to improving the operations of your small business. It can greatly increase your efficiency. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, business productivity increased at a 3.6% annual rate during just the first quarter of 2010. Much of this increase is due to technology.
So, what technologies do you need to gain maximum productivity?
- Start with connectivity. You need a reliable and
secure high-speed internet connection. As your business grows, so will website
and e-mail traffic. There are a range of options possible from basic popular
DSL, cable or satellite to a T1, PRI, ATM, frame relay or even fiber optics as you need
to send and receive more and more data. Make sure you research your options and
talk about them with your service provider to make sure your business is
getting the best connection for your needs.
You may want to consider taking advantage of Internet-based computing options like cloud computing. Cloud computing is a technology that lets you access services offered in the Internet cloud. This is usually done through a third party and utilizes their service for data storage and management. The benefits are numerous. Cloud computing is an on demand, self-service, pay as you go, use only what you want model. - Pick an e-mail system you can count on. Your
e-mail does more than allow you to communicate with customers and vendors. It
serves as a second address for your business. Most Internet service providers
offer a choice of e-mail account technology. The basic two options are either
POP or IMAP.
POP is the more basic option and perfect if you read your messages on one computer and don't mind storing them on your machine. Choose IMAP if you access your e-mail through multiple machines or if you want to store them on your provider's server. To reinforce your brand, invest in a vanity e-mail address that lists your company's name as your domain. For example, [email protected]. Most Internet service providers offer vanity e-mail for a small fee. - Take charge of how you manage and store your
data. Instead of storing all of your files on your laptop, select a data
storage management system that simplifies retrieval and protects data from
loss. Often the first step is to decide whether or not you need a server. If
so, consider whether you want it at your location or if you would like to rent
space on one through a third party.
You have several data storage options. Some examples to consider are network area storage (NAS), direct attached storage (DAS), and storage area network (SAN). Being proactive and researching the options can save you time each day and protect you from possible loss.
Wise technology investments to improve your operations will make you more productive. Use this checklist to ensure you are on track.
- Choose the right Internet connection.
- Decide which e-mail system is right for you.
- Proactively manage and store data.
This content is copyright protected. To license this content for your own website please contact Dan Baldwin at [email protected]. Photo credit: iStockPhoto.com 22459799, Keywords: technology, operations, small business, efficiency, us bureau of labor statistics, connectivity, website, e-mail, dsl, cable, satellite, T1, PRI, atm, frame relay, fiber optics, data, internet based cloud computing, data storage and management, on-demand, self service, pay as you go, POP, IMAP, data storage management system, network area storage, NAS, direct attached storage, DAS, storage area network, SAN, operations problems, voice, data, communications systems, information, connect, transmit, protect, public, private network, mpls, ip-vpn, internet connection, telecom agent, independent carrier sales partner, DSL, coax cable,
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