Your network works right. Right? If you are reading this, you are probably incurring some pain. Your network systems are too slow. They are unstable. They are unreliable. You do not know where to turn. This is usually the condition of networks I inherit. I make network systems work for you. I’ve been in the computer network business since 1992.

You can do a network self-assessment. Ask your staff, “How are things working for you today?” Watch their responses.

1. If they hesitate for more than five seconds before responding, you may have a problem.
2. If their response includes some profanity, you may have a problem.
3. If they recite a list of network problems that never get solved, you may have a problem.

You’re running a business. Having your network systems work right can make or break your business. Having your systems work right helps you serve your clients, grow your business and ease the pain. Life becomes easier, when your network is working right. You already know this is true.
Check out my network support success stories.

A Granite Bay company owns 10 hair salons. They run Milano Point of Sale Systems at each salon and synchronize data to the corporate office. They have 11 networks. Mission-critical data resides on the corporate servers. From there, they backup data after-hours to remote servers. They do their A/P and payroll in-house with Business Works. They need the network working to keep everyone working. This company is well into the seven figures.

Before

They called because the networks barely worked. Staff was not able to run charge and debit cards reliably. Data was not being synchronized between the salons and the corporate office. Corporate staff was calling the salons every day and requesting the previous day’s totals. Computer networks both at the corporate office and salons were slow and unstable. Some were so unstable that staff did not bother using them. Staff told customers the computers were down…could they pay in cash? Customers put their charge cards back in their wallets, said they had to get cash and left. They never returned.
Security was lacking. Only two of 28 computers had virus protection. Microsoft Update was turned off, by design. They failed my network audit.

Project

I went in and did a network assessment. I visited the corporate office and salons. I identified mission-critical software, deployed new computers, deployed new network firewalls and increased performance. I deployed Microsoft’s newest operating system. I deployed the newest POS and charge card processing software. I worked closely with business partners. The network and mission-critical systems now work reliably.
I deployed firmwide virus protection, remote access and monitoring. I updated all servers and workstations to become current with Microsoft Update. I ran a vulnerability scan on all computers. They all have earned a Strong Security assessment. The network systems are fast and secure. Are yours?

After

Everything works. Revenues are up. People do their jobs. Ownership is happy. Each site now synchronizes data to the corporate server. The corporate server backs up data to remote servers in the cloud. The owner loves me, because I turned his pain into profit. He says, “We are now in the 21st Century.”

A Rancho Cordova company has Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to six offices. Staff sees consistent drive letters and uses them to save and access data seamlessly. These Virtual Private Networks are stable. They also support a new VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone system. VOIP is a technology that carries phone calls over your network connection. VOIP does not have long distance charges. This helps corporate staff keep in touch with technicians who are scattered across forty-nine states. VOIP uses the same network and Internet connection that your staff uses when browsing websites and sending e-mail. The VPN and VOIP solutions save the company more than $11,000 per month. This company is well into the eight figures.

Before

Staff was wasting time. They could not find necessary files quickly. They were editing different versions of the same document. Remote users felt disconnected from the corporate network. Frustration was replacing productivity. One owner complained the network “was holding them back.” They also had sky-high long distance bills. Getting news to remote technicians was a time consuming and expensive process. Corporate staff called techs one by one to update schedules and discuss logistics. Most calls were long distance calls.

Project

I upgraded the networks and Internet connections. I deployed new SonicWall firewalls to secure their networks. I deployed a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch to support new phones. I built Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) between the six offices. I established port forwarding and security mechanisms to let VOIP traffic in and keep hackers out. I worked closely with the VOIP provider and created a roaring success. Working together, we deployed a phone server and voice mail server on-site. I also administer this VOIP server.

After

Everybody is happy. Staff gets more done. Remote users find necessary files quickly. They feel connected to the corporate office through the network. Productivity now replaces frustration. Conference calls occur more often. Ownership reports they have better communication with the staff. Remote techs get more done in less time. Best of all, phone bills have decreased more than $11,000/month. They utilize today’s network technology to save money and run more efficiently. Could you save money by embracing modern technology?

A Sacramento area golf course association runs A/P, A/R and POS systems in-house. They have an in-house server and 23 computers that function in the administrative, pro shop and food service areas. The network helps them run the association smoothly. They are well into the seven figures.

Before

The network systems were working against them. Workstations were old and unstable. Staff was reporting freezes and rebooting more than twice a day. The server ran old software because everybody was afraid to touch it. Backups were not occurring. Workstations lost network connectivity at random times. Staff said the network was replacing productivity with frustration. The Board felt they were losing members due to the failing and embarrassing network systems. The Clubhouse Manager called me.

Project

I went in and did a network assessment. I replaced all network systems. This includes the server and all workstations. I deployed a WatchGuard firewall and centrally-managed virus protection to protect the network from viruses, malware and scammers. I replaced their network switches. I migrated data from the old server to the new server and from old workstations to new workstations. I established cloud backups. I trained staff how to use their new systems and documented all new systems.

After

They are more productive. Staff says with a network that works, they can work. They meet deadlines. The Board feels the network is secure from viruses, malware and scammers. The network runs faster. All data is backed up securely offsite. Membership numbers stopped declining. The Board is happy that the Association is running more efficiently.