Although you may not like it, most of us are now wholly dependent upon IT and, as business owners, our initial investment will have stemmed from a recognition that it helps with:

• Managing customer data
• Allowing a team to work more effectively
• Improving business processes
• Achieving better reporting

However, did you know that having the right system can have a hugely positive impact on growth? When you think about this, it’s quite logical since (when used well) IT systems can help you to more effectively analyse business data thus giving deeper insight into the way you trade and therefore revealing possible new sales avenues…

…what’s more, since IT can also improve the productivity of individuals AND enable flexible working you’ll probably find it possible to increase revenue without increasing staff overheads.

So growth may be easier to achieve then you think – even in the current climate.

Now, in some instances it’s true that all of these things are best supported by having your own server, but how do you know when you need one? Well. there are typically 10 signs that indicate this would be a good idea:

• You spend a lot of time searching for files or copying them from one machine to another
• Your computers are networked in some way but files are on different machines and everything runs slowly
• You need to restrict access to confidential files
• You want to accommodate flexible or home working
• You’d like to centralise key business data like diaries or customer records
• You want to improve your response to customers
• You want your own corporate e-mail address
• Instead of using one centrally, you keep buying new printers, scanners and fax machines when new people join you
• You’re suffering from paperwork overload
• You have lots of IT hassle, viruses, network problems and so forth

Of course, if you already have a server and are STILL suffering from the hassle factor you should ideally source an IT Support company that has proven track record in solutions for SME’s

Naturally, it‘s sensible to check for some form of accreditation with regard to competency and expertise and something that you can rely on is Microsoft’s Small Business Specialist certification. Basingstoke based www.tcgcomputerservices.com has recently been awarded this – MD Chris Timm explains “It’s a great honour to gain this for our business. The work we put into becoming a small business specialist is part of our ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction and proves that we are able to fully understand our customers needs from both a business and technical point of view” Now you know what to ask for!

Trading since 2004, TCG Computer Services has provided quality outsourced IT networking and computer support for small and mid-sized businesses in and around the area of Basingstoke and North Hampshire. It provides remote monitoring, proactive management, IT support, computer repair, and strategic IT planning/consulting Should you require further information about this article please contact Chris Timm via chris@tcgcomputerservices.com or 0845 838 8606