Computer issues may be inevitable, but here are a few things to avoid so that they’re not worse than they have to be.

Computer issues are inevitable. You can’t expect to depend 100% of the time on every single device or program you use. There will be software bugs or hardware failure; a device might get misplaced or an important file deleted.

Running your business successfully depends in part on anticipating these problems. If you aren’t prepared, the outcome will be worse.

What are 8 things that make your computer issues worse?

1. Poor documentation. You lose track of passwords or license keys to various software programs. You don’t know what previous versions of a software you used, when it was last updated, and whether it functioned problematically. These are all examples of poor documentation. Without proper documentation, you’ll have a harder time implementing solutions for your computer problems.
2. Unnecessary downloads. Your computing devices might be filled with too many useless or clunky programs or files that take up a lot of space and slow them down. Some of these programs may also have cyber security vulnerabilities, especially if you got them from disreputable sources.
3. Infrequent backups. Any time you don’t back up your data at the frequency needed, you risk losing significant amounts of time and money whenever there’s a failure in equipment, cyber attack, employee error, or other disaster that results in data loss.
4. Dirty equipment. Your hardware might get clogged up with dust; the screens might be scuffed or stained. Devices can slow down, overheat or break down if you don’t clean them on a regular basis.
5. Untrained employees. Maybe your employees don’t understand how to fully use a software program, which decreases their productivity and making it more difficult for them to fix errors. It’s possible that they’re unaware of cyber security protocols or other important computing issues.
6. Lack of synchronization. If multiple people are working on the same project, they should have access to the latest version of all files; with lack of synchronization across devices, the files they share might all differ. Without synchronization, it’s also much harder to make system-wide changes across devices on your network, such as installing a new security feature.
7. Inadequate cyber security. If you lack the capacity to prevent cyber attacks, monitor your system for intrusions, and respond quickly to a successful hack, you’re in serious trouble. Downloading one corrupted file can wreak havoc on your system.
8. Thoughtless spending. You might be using your limited IT budget to hire staff unnecessarily or to make purchases that aren’t cost-effective for your company. It’s also possible that you’re spending too little; for instance, you might be long overdue for an equipment upgrade, but keep delaying it, even though it’s slowing down your productivity.

To increase the chances that any computer issues you face will be minor or at least handled efficiently and effectively, contact us. We’ll review the state of your IT configuration and point out ways to make it work better for you.