Here are the things that you absolutely have to do after you have turned on your brand new PC and set up your Internet connection for the first time.

Install the Right Antivirus Software
Most desktop computers nowadays come along with a free trial version of an affiliate antivirus software provider, but this usually only lasts thirty days. Afterwards, your computer could be prone to many corruptive programs. If you do not have the means to buy the full version immediately after you have set up your new computer system, or if you are not too fond of the antivirus program, then we suggest you scrap it and install a powerful free antivirus program like Microsoft Security Essentials, which is available for a free download on the official Microsoft website. The antivirus program can protect computers from the major known threats, and a good antivirus solution can even safeguard against new ones. AVG is also a good alternative.

Uninstall the Applications You Don’t Want
Just because some applications came with your computer does not mean that you have to keep them. If you do not plan on using some of those programs, then uninstall them. Do not let them clutter up your hard drive and take up precious memory space. Include, but only if you choose, free trial applications and e-mail or network set-up programs.This could take quite a while, depending on how many applications you wish to take out, how big those files are and how embedded they are into your computer system.
Be very careful when you are doing this task. Take a good long look at the applications listed on your Add/Remove Programs portion of the Windows Control Panel. Do not remove any program you think you might need in the future. This is not yet the moment for getting completely miserly with your disk space.

Run Windows Update
If the icon does not automatically pop up on your task bar then manually visit the Windows Update URL and install all of the current Windows patches. Set up your PC to receive automatic updates. This way, you can ensure that your computer system will always be updated and relatively secure.
This process may also take a while and require a number of reboots.

Download Microsoft Office
This is the heart of every PC. You will most likely be doing the bulk of your work in at least one of the software compilation’s major applications such as MS Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. If your PC came with a trial version of the MS Office Suite then it is highly recommended that you buy the full version as soon as possible. If you cannot or do not have the means to purchase it, then you can consider comparable free downloadable office suites such as OpenOffice.

Download a Good Internet Browser
Sticking with Internet Explorer is fine but there are other options out there. Both Firefox and Google Chrome make for faster, more customizable alternatives to the PC’s default Web browser.

Check Input-Output Compatibility
After covering all the basic software configurations, see if your Windows desktop computer has a digital output that is better than the standard VGA (15-pin) output. If this is the case, look for the corresponding input on your monitor and buy the right cable. You will find your monitor displaying better picture resolution because of the input-output compatibility.

IT support has become a necessity now more than ever. Outsourced support for small businesses saves companies time and money, while allowing them to benefit from a reliable IT infrastructure. One of the services that a good IT solutions provider offers to small businesses is remote IT monitoring which takes care of businesses’ IT systems from a remote location.

Your IT network as an integral part of your business
If your company’s IT infrastructure is a key aspect of your business, it needs to be in tip-top shape 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that your business runs smoothly as it should. You don’t want to have your business’ workstations and servers crash at a critical moment when information is needed most. You don’t want your customers to feel underserved just because your company’s network is inaccessible.

How your business will benefit from remote IT monitoring
Businesses that are heavily dependent on their IT systems but do not have the resources to have a dedicated in-house IT support team monitor their systems round the clock should ultimately consider outsourcing. Remote IT support is a convenient, efficient and affordable way to maintain your company’s IT system. With this type of support, your business shouldn’t need any additional personnel just to monitor the company’s network and workstations all the time.

Through remote IT monitoring, your system’s operations will be monitored and can be fixed when the need arises. Deleted files can be retrieved, application software can be installed, application errors can be fixed, and restoring connectivity between computers and other hardware within your company’s network can be conducted.
Remote IT monitoring specialists routinely check your systems from a remote location outside your company’s premises. Whenever they spot a problem on your network, they can work on resolving the problem without having to go to your office to tinker with your hardware. This can save your company significant amounts of time and money while allowing your company to focus on business concerns.

With today’s modern networking technology, virtually every conceivable means of remote accessing a computer is possible. When implementing a remote IT monitoring system, the IT services company installs a client application on your business’ servers and other computers. Once installed, the program will then allow the IT service provider’s technicians to access your company’s servers and workstations, and monitoring software can also be installed which can provide the IT service provider real-time status reports and messages in case of system downtime or critical failures. The software can also spot potential problems within your network before they happen, and alert the IT support provider’s technicians.

When a technical problem is detected, the technical support team of your remote IT service provider will troubleshoot the problem without having to physically go to your office through the connection that has been installed between your network and the service provider’s own systems.

With this set up, your company can take care of your core business without having to worry too much about your IT infrastructure. With a reliable remote IT monitoring service provider, the burden of having to check up on your IT infrastructure will be taken off your back. And because your systems are constantly being monitored, problems will be taken care of even before you realize your system had one.

So if your company’s IT network is critical to your business’ operations, for your peace of mind, it’s time you explored the benefits of outsourced remote IT support and monitoring services.

In a computer network, latency is defined as the time of delay for a response within that same network or from a single computer unit. It is compared to a “reaction speed” in living things, such as how long it takes for a person to respond when you call their name. It can be called different names, such as lag or delay time, and those wouldn’t be too far off the mark.

Latency is a function of both hardware and software of computers and their networks. Where bandwidth is used to describe the capacity of a computer to quickly access the Internet, latency is more about what happens within a network. The scope focuses more on the local area, and less about delays when accessing the greater worldwide network.

Several things contribute to latency. Older, less up-to-date computers will feature slower working processes, both on a software computing level and a physical, hardware level. The same goes for network peripherals, such as server devices, routers, and switches that may not be up to the latest standards on the market.

Latency is also a way to describe the delay it takes for an individual computer to get the job done. An old measure of latency was how quickly a computer can boot – the faster it takes for all start-up programs to load, the lower the latency.

It goes without saying that keeping latency low on a network can be critical. For some industries, keeping the latency low makes a big difference. Music recording studios, for example, often need precise, pinpoint timing when they perform elaborate sound editing and post-recording production work. They need to ensure that no gaps, delays or skipped beats take place, because such mistakes can be disastrous to the final product. Film editing is another example, as a glitch in a system can cause lost content, or can end up damaging the work put into the project.

For other situations, latency may not be an obvious problem, but can be over time. A computer routinely stores and caches data as its operators go about their work. In due time, without proper maintenance, a network of computers will slowly be bogged down by the amounts of information it needs to handle and process. Issues can spring up as a result of unnecessary files, or perhaps a failure to defragment the hard drive, and can slowly eat away at the machine’s ability to perform at its peak potential.

IT support firms can help inspect and refine a network, helping keep latency low and efficiency high. For example, they can retool old software, such as outdated operating systems and work utilities used years ago. A sharp IT firm can replace these with newer versions, helping keep systems current and quick. A system cleanup for a company’s computers can also be an invaluable service – removing or replacing executable software that eats up the computing time of a PC will contribute to overall performance.

As latency is sometimes caused by hardware, some solutions can be found for that as well. Replacing old or refurbished network tools can be an answer, as routers, LAN systems and other peripherals can be the factors holding back the fastest potential speeds that may be achieved by a given network.

The result of keeping latency in check can be felt when compared to how it was previously. Much time and money can be spared by taking on top experts to retool and readjust existing hardware, especially when compared with the cost of establishing new networks from the ground up.

If you’ve noticed that your computers are less efficient than they used to be, how can you extend their lifespan? Most small businesses usually don’t have the budget to invest in new hardware or software, so how d you keep them up-to-date and protected without it costing much?
There are a number of possible reasons why your company computers might be slowing down, such as the amount of software installed, the lack of in-house IT know-how, and the fact that one’s focus is usually more on growing the business than worrying about IT.
Many other factors can adversely affect your computers’ performance. But even if you don’t install programs or tinker with computers in other ways, their performance is likely to get reduced over time. Files start to build up clutter so they take longer to load, and various system software and hardware components may need to be updated. So what can you do?

Perform simple maintenance tasks
Slow computers don’t necessarily need to be replaced: a bit of regular maintenance and protection will keep them running just fine. You can do any of the following:

• Deleting unnecessary files by running Disk Cleanup regularly
• Running ScanDisk once a week to check the integrity of your hard drive and file system
• Defragmenting your hard drive every month or so to speed up your hard disk by consolidating files and placing frequently used system files together on the disk

Routine maintenance tasks like this take just a few minutes, but they’ll help keep your machines up to speed.

Get free protection from viruses
With Windows Defender, you can protect your computers from pop-ups, slow performance and security threats by detecting and removing ‘spyware’ and ‘malware’. Defender continually monitors your computer and finds unwelcome programs that slow it down, and recommends actions to minimize interruptions and help you stay productive. Windows Defender comes free with all versions of Windows Vista. It’s also available to download for genuine copies of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later.

Try patching
Another way to keep your computers secure is by installing software updates as they become available. Software “patches” are small programs that fix potential system problems and security issues which become known after the product has been released. Patching can repair software ‘bugs’ and remove or prevent viruses that get onto your computers via the internet, helping improve the overall performance of your computers.

Get firewalled
Your computers also need a reliable firewall in place. We recommend a hardware firewall for perimeter network security, but you can also use a software firewall to protect your computer. For instance, Windows Vista and Windows 7 both come with a built-in firewall – just make sure it’s switched on, and it will stop 90% of viruses, spyware, spam and other threats reaching any of your computers.

Consult the experts
No matter how busy you are handling customers and taking care of business, it’s very important to maintain and protect your computers. There are many solutions out there to help without spending much, and of course there are those which are totally free! Those listed above is a good start.

It’s also worth making your employees aware of the need for regular maintenance and security. If you don’t have the right experience yourself, then consult an IT specialist for small businesses, such as Your IT Department Ltd to give them some training. By using and maintaining computers sensibly, your employees will not only be more productive, but you also avoid exposing your company to unnecessary risks. Contact us on 01158 220 200

Virtual Server environments are different from physical server environments.  In a physical server environment, your business would need multiple servers to run the different applications and perform critical business services that your company needs.  In a virtual environment, a single physical host server can hold many virtual servers, which would run the applications and and critical business services that would normally be installed on multiple physical servers.

The Benefits
Server virtualization offers significant features for most businesses.  Top reasons to consider upgrading your physical server environment to a virtual server environment include the following:

• Decrease your company’s electricity bill and carbon footprint.
• Curtail server sprawl and use your square footage to operate your business.
• Save money by purchasing less hardware.
• Increase your IT environment security by managing server updates and patches from one central location.
• Improve overall server performance through dynamic allocation of RAM and processor power.

The most popular programs
Many companies make virtualization software that will run on a host server.  All will perform the same primary functions of administering multiple virtual servers but each one has some unique features that might make one program more suited for your businesses particular needs.

Microsoft Hyper-V is designed to integrate with the Microsoft Windows platform, making it easy to administer and manage virtualized Windows Servers and Microsoft applications.
VMWare can run almost any operating system as a virtual server, making it optimal for any company that has blended technology platforms such as Linux, Macintosh, and Windows.  It is also a great program if your company depends on older legacy systems that are installed on hardware that is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Citrix Zen Server is a low-cost alternative to the other solutions, with many add-ons and features that are free.  Zen server is optimal for Linux and Windows environments and is often used as the foundation for many application virtualization solutions.

Things to consider
While server virtualization is a great choice for many businesses, it is not suitable for all business IT environments.  Server virtualization might not be the best solution for businesses whose servers have the following needs:

• High processor power requirements (SQL or specialized servers)
• encrypted drives or partitions to support legal or regulatory requirements
• proxy server or web-gateway applications

To learn more
Server virtualization has many benefits that can help your business in many ways.  To learn more about how server virtualization can help your business’s IT environment, talk to the virtualization experts at Your IT Department Ltd

By how much did small businesses increase their search engine advertising spending in 2009?

Circling the Wagons: Backup to Protect Data

While economists contend the recession is over, many small businesses still feel vulnerable.

A recent CDW survey of small business owners found that fewer than half of the respondents were optimistic about their growth potential over the next five years. That mood is reflected in small business hiring plans, or the lack thereof. Earlier this month, George S. May International, a management consulting firm, reported that 74 percent of the small businesses it polled had no immediate plan to boost headcount. Of that group, 62 percent of the survey respondents said they had “no confidence in the economy sustaining the need for more employees.”

Smaller companies continue to feel economic pain. But a surprising number of them fail to protect themselves from situations that could inflict further damage. Backup provides a particularly glaring example. The same CDW small business report discovered that 73 percent of the firms with computing networks possess neither onsite nor offsite data backup.

Companies that fail to backup data are riding their luck. A severe data loss can wipeout a company in the best of times. Backup should take its place alongside IT security as a key component of any company’s data protection plan.

Getting Started
And as with IT security, a good place to start a data backup strategy is assessing what you have and where it’s located. Where does a company’s customer, transaction and financial data reside? Is it all on a server or does critical data also reside on PCs and mobile computing devices?

Company leaders must also weigh the importance of different types of data. The value of data will help shape the backup schedule and approach. A nightly backup may adequate for many organizations, but some firms may not want to potentially risk losing a day’s worth of data — in those cases more frequent backups are in order. In storage-speak, the backup period an organization finds acceptable is termed the recovery point objective.

The recovery time objective, meanwhile, deals with how quickly a company seeks to have data restored. The desired timeframe will drive the backup media selection. The need to recover rapidly, for example, will probably dictate a disk-based solution, which offers faster recovery time than tape storage. However, tape storage, still cheaper than disk, may prove the better choice for infrequently accessed data.

Backup Layers
Onsite backup can be fairly straightforward. Backup software for PCs abounds. Such products let users select what they want to backup, where the backups will occur — on an external hard drive or CD, for example — and how frequently they will take place. Small businesses with servers to backup might consider investing in a a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

The backup job doesn’t end with the on-premise gear, however. A fire or other disaster can foil the best conceived on-site plan, so companies need to consider an off-site approach. Off-site tape is one way to go. Such a scenario might involve backing up a NAS device to a tape library and sending the tape cartridges to an outside facility for safekeeping.

With storage moving into the cloud, online backup provides another take on off-site storage. Venyu’s AmeriVault online backup service and Mozy.com are among the options a small business can tap.

For further reading on backup, SNIA, a storage industry association, has a selection of storage publications including one on choosing a backup solution: http://www.snia.org/forums/dmf/news/articles/0710IS_FORE.PDF