Considerations When Enlisting Commercial Computer Network Installation Services
Running a business currently means relying on computers and the internet. Whether you have a handful of employees or hundreds of them, a dedicated computer network is critical if you are to make the most of working online, as this would facilitate communication among employees as well as with customers, enhanced collaboration via sharing of information regarding clients and projects, data storage to keep all sensitive information safely backed up and more.
But before you can have this network up and running, there are several factors to take into account so that you are assured that it meets your business' current and future needs. Here are just two fundamental considerations that you should have when enlisting computer network installation services for your business.
Should you choose a wired or a wireless network?
A wireless computer network is the most cost-efficient solution, making it great for start-ups or businesses with a modest budget. As implied by the name, it does not entail the installation of a horde of wires. Hence, the appearance of the office remains immaculate and this can prove invaluable if you are already contending with minimal floor space. Lastly, if you and your employees work primarily on laptops rather than PCs, a wireless network enables you to move around without being bogged down with finding a connection.
An Ethernet network, conversely, may not be cheap to install at the outset but it does offer your business faster speeds than a wireless network without having to pay premium prices. And although a wired network may mandate paying for additional infrastructure to keep all the cables hidden away, it is ideal for sprawling premises since you will not have to be concerned with signal loss.
Consult with your data specialist on which option would be best as they would have to consider aspects such as the layout of your office space, the total workstations, how fast your business is growing and so on.
Should you choose a P2P or a client-server network?
When it comes to collaboration between everyone in the office, you need to determine if a peer to peer network or its client-server counterpart would be best for your business. The term P2P refers to the computers in the network being interconnected, making them both the client and the server. Therefore, all that would be required is the setting up of the cabling, the router and a modem.
A client-server network, on the other hand, differs in that all the computers in your office will be linked to a separate, central server. This server will store all the data pertaining to your business' operations and one would need the authorisation to access it. While a P2P network may be cheaper, the client-server alternative offers you advantages such as enhanced security, heightened performance and increased storage. Not to mention that a P2P network can only have a limited number of computers connected.
For additional information, reach out to a local computer network installation service.