How Do I Lower My Small Business Computer Support Bills?

When in doubt, reboot.  Before you consider an issue a real small business computer support problem and call your small business computer consultant, always reboot first.  Exit out of whatever files and programs you're working on and do a Shutdown and Restart sequence to reboot your PC.  If you suspect the problem involves something hardware-related, such as a network card, modem, mouse, keyboard, or sound card, go one step further. Shutdown your PC. Turn the power off for a minute or so and then power your PC back up again.

Protect against viruses with a strong defense.  The best way to guard against expensive emergency small business computer support service calls for virus-related problems is with a strong defense.  Make sure every PC, laptop, and server in your office is licensed for anti-virus software, has anti-virus software installed and properly configured, and most importantly gets refreshed at least once every six weeks with up to date virus definitions, also known as signature files.

Take a hard line on unauthorized software installation.  Many small business end users in offices of all sizes mistakenly assume a personal computer (PC) is their personal asset and that they can install whatever software they like.  However since installing unauthorized software can lead to enormous piracy liability, virus infections, and major operating system and application instability, it's in your best interest to take a hard line with your small business staff and co-workers.  Make one person in your office in charge of installing and maintaining all software --- period.  And while you're at it, have this same person keep all software diskettes and CD-ROMs locked up.

Install power protection before you need it.  

Learn how to use your backup and restore software and tape drive before you have an emergency.  Don't wait to learn about and test your small business computer support backup/restore system until your CEO inadvertently deletes an Excel file containing the next five year's budget projections.  By then, you'll likely be in a panic and need an expensive call to your small business computer consultant.  Take time to ask questions now and take good notes on how to check to make sure any automated backup routines are running properly, that data is making it onto the tape as expected, and that you can handle any required manual restore and backup procedures.  Also, add a recurring small business computer support event to your Outlook calendar to test your tape backup system, at least once a month, to make sure you can successfully restore a group of files.

Schedule proactive maintenance well in advance and during normal business hours.  The best way to protect against small business computer support emergencies is prevent them in the first place.  Before your office gets into the usual summer challenges, schedule your small business computer consultant to come in and run through this list of ten basic items. If at all possible, have this done during normal business hours, to keep the cost down and to let your computer consultant see end users in action. 

Use built-in Help features in your software applications.  Don't overlook the integrated small business computer support help functions available in a particular software application.

Visit a newsgroup for free advice.

Finally, know your limitations and when to hire a professional.