Data Loss Means Disaster

From financial records and inventory systems to customer data and sales records, no Twin Cities small business can withstand data loss, due to system failure or even a fire or flood. Rebuilding lost business data today is such a difficult task that such a loss can destroy a business almost overnight. The answer is a robust data backup system that regularly stores your precious data in a way that assures you that you can be up and running quickly, no matter what. Computer Lifeline can help you set up an ideal backup system for your Minneapolis St. Paul business data, and make recovery from data loss a minor annoyance, instead of a disaster.

Computer System Downtime Costs Plenty

If your Minneapolis St. Paul computer system is like that of most small businesses, you need your computer networks, individual PCs, and peripherals to be up and running all the time. If they go down, you may not be able to do business at all until they’re fixed. From point-of-sale systems and inventory management to appointment scheduling and contact management, your computer system needs to be reliable and always on the job. Computer Lifeline can help you design and maintain your Twin Cities computer systems to be their most efficient and reliable, and can make quick repairs when needed. We’re always ready to help you with any computer needs.

Weak Computer Security Can Cost You Your Business

Recent newspaper stories about the theft of customer data have put data security in the minds of most Minneapolis St. Paul small business owners. What if your customer records were stolen, along with credit card data and other information? Could your business survive? Poor computer security measures can allow customer and business data to be stolen or otherwise compromised from external or internal theft. Only careful design and maintenance of data security systems can protect you from this costly disaster. Computer Lifeline has the knowledge and experience to set up effective firewall and other protective systems to keep both outsiders and insiders from compromising your security.

Virus and Malware Are Costly Invaders

If your Minneapolis St. Paul small business computer system falls victim to a computer virus, a trojan horse, or other malicious software, you could be in for a rough ride. These infections can come from outside or even internal sources. System slowdowns caused by these problems result in major productivity losses, and can even lead to misuse of your computer system by others. Worse, if you somehow caused customers’ or clients’ systems to become infected, you could lose their business. That very thing happened recently to a Twin Cities newspaper. Computer Lifeline has the expertise and experience to create, install, and maintain a powerful and effective antivirus system to protect your entire small business computer system. It’s protection your Twin Cities small business computer system must have.

Lost Productivity Means Lost Money

Today’s tough business climate means that every Minneapolis St. Paul small business must maintain high productivity to stay profitable. Computer systems can be a major source for lost productivity. From slowdowns caused by out-dated hardware to loss of productivity caused by employees wasting time on the Internet, keeping your workforce productive depends on careful system management. Computer Lifeline can help you assess the need for hardware updates, and then perform those updates for you. We can also help you track and limit non-business use of your computer system by employees.

Let Computer Lifeline Help You Avoid Costly Computer Problems

Our years of experience solving Twin Cities small business computer problems means that we understand your need to avoid computer problems that can cut into your profits. Contact us today to discuss your needs. We’ll be happy to help you reduce your risks and maximize the performance of your computer network and systems.

How Long Has the Company Been in Business?

Experience counts. In today’s troubled economy, new Minneapolis St. Paul computer service and small business network companies are popping up everywhere. In many cases, people who have recently been laid off from jobs doing IT work start these new businesses. They may not have the wide-ranging experience needed to handle the varying needs of your small business computer system. Look for a company that has been in business for years, specializing in small business computer systems.

Who Will Be Working on My Small Business Computers?

Some Minneapolis St. Paul computer service companies are one-person operations. Others have several technicians who perform computer service. You need to know the qualifications and experience of the actual personnel who will be coming into your business to perform services. Are they trained and certified? How long have they been performing these services? If the business you’re considering is a one-person shop, ask about their ability to work when you need them to work. You need quality service, delivered at the time you need it. Assure yourself that the company you hire can provide both things.

Does Your Company Have Experience with My Type of Business?

Every type of small business in the Minneapolis St. Paul area has computer needs that are unique to that type of business. For example, a real estate brokerage will have very different computer service and network needs than a dental clinic. If the small business computer service company you hire has no experience with your type of business, it may not be capable or efficient in dealing with your problems. Look for a company that has worked with other businesses similar to yours.

Does Your Company Know the Server and Operating Software We Use?

Today, many companies in the Twin Cities run Macintosh, Windows, and Linux-based systems at the same location. Be certain the computer service company you select has knowledge and experience in all operating systems and server environments used by your business. Unless they do, you may not get the service you need and deserve.

Can Your Computer Service Company Respond Quickly in Emergencies?

When you have a problem with your network, individual computers, or with computer security, you need fast service. For most businesses, downtime is a critical concern. If your computer system or network isn’t working, you can’t do business. You need a Twin Cities computer service company that recognizes that you need fast, expert service and can provide that anytime a problem occurs. Anything less is unacceptable.

Computer Lifeline – Your Best Business Computer Service Choice in Minneapolis St. Paul

Computer Lifeline has been providing Minneapolis St. Paul small businesses with fast, efficient, and knowledgeable computer and IT services for over 10 years. Our well-trained, experienced technicians have experience with many types of small business systems. We support all server environments and computer operating systems, and have extensive expertise in network security, hardware configuration, and maintenance. Rely on us for the outstanding service we’re ready to provide. Contact Computer Lifeline today to discuss your Twin Cities small business computer service needs.

The loss of financial records, emails, documents, and personal photos can be as much of a disaster for a home computer user as it is for a business. With just a little effort and expense, you can protect yourself from data loss and the hard work and expense needed to recover from such a loss.

If you use Windows-based PC’s, most of your data files are in the “My Documents” folder. This is the default location that most programs save or store files in. Go through the subfolders within “My Documents”, you will find most of your critical files.

Data Backup Strategies

Protecting your data needn’t be expensive or complicated, but it requires a little discipline. A regular backup schedule is critical, and sticking to that schedule is a must. Choosing how to back up data is also important.

For a typical home user, a complete backup of your entire hard drive isn’t that important. Software programs can be re-installed and, even if you have to buy a new computer, much of what is on your hard drive will come with that computer. Backing up only the data that can’t be easily replaced is the strategy most home users choose.

Selecting a Backup Method

There are many ways to back up your data. Consider the options below, based on how much data you need to store and whether you want to store your data locally or remotely. Local storage is fine for most users, but remote storage will protect you even in the case of a fire or other disaster.

• Use Existing Equipment – Most home computers come with a CD-RW or DVD drive that can record data. Windows users can use My Computer to view folders, then simply click and drag folders, like My Documents, to the CD-RW or DVD drive to copy them to a disc. Label each disc with the date of the backup, then store the backup discs in a safe place. Macintosh users have similar tools.
• Use External Drives – External hard drives and small solid-state USB data drives are very reasonably priced, and plug into your PCs USB port. The same drag-and-drop techniques described above let you quickly and simply back up entire folders. In this case, allow your computer to overwrite the previous backup on the device, for simplicity’s sake, then store the drive safely.
• Email Data to Yourself – If you have an email account that stores your email on a remote server, like Yahoo, Gmail, or AOL, you can easily backup individual, but critical, individual files by attaching them to an email to yourself. This method, though, won’t work for backing up entire folders of data.
• Let Software Automatically Backup Data – Most home accounting software, like Quicken, and some other programs, can automatically back up your data each time you use the program. Use these tools with a solid-state USB drive or even a floppy disk to make aback up each time you use the program.
• Use Automated Online Backup – Several companies offer automated backup for your data for a reasonable fee. For about $50 per year, they provide a software program that lets you select folders and files you want backed up regularly. Then, the software automatically backs up those folders and files whenever they change or new files are added. The data is encrypted and stored on their servers, and can be retrieved by you from any computer at any time. This backup method is ideal, since you don’t have to think about it once you set it up. You must have broadband internet access to use this method. Here are some online backup web sites:
  • Carbonite.com – www.carbonite.com
  • Symantec.com – www.symantec.com/norton/online-backup
  • Crashplan.com – www11.crashplan.com/consumer
  • Mozy.com – www.mozy.com/home