At Edmondson’s, we understand how frustrating IT problems can be for businesses. Whether you're running a small startup or managing a large corporation, IT disruptions can halt productivity and cause unnecessary stress. Fortunately, our experienced team is ready to step in and help your business back on track.
In this post, we’ll walk you through five of the most common IT problems we encountered and how we can help businesses overcome them. If you recognise any of these challenges in your own company, we’re here to help!
Slow Computers & Network Congestion
Slow computers and network congestion are some of the most frustrating issues employees encounter. When systems freeze or take too long to load files, productivity takes a hit and meeting deadlines becomes a struggle.
If your business is experiencing this, the first step we would take is to conduct a thorough IT health check. In many cases, it’s not just outdated computers but network bottlenecks that cause the slowdown. A mix of old hardware and overburdened network infrastructure can create significant performance issues.
Our solution to this would typically be two-fold, upgrading your hardware to run the latest software more efficiently and enhancing your network setup. We could replace outdated routers with high-performance Netgear equipment and optimise bandwidth distribution across all users. This would ensure a faster, more responsive network, improving productivity across the board.
Data Loss and Inadequate Backup Systems
Losing important data due to a hardware failure or inadequate backup systems is a nightmare for any business. If your backup systems aren’t reliable, you risk losing essential customer information, financial records and more.
If your business is facing this threat, we would start by assessing your backup systems and identifying any weaknesses. We’ve encountered many cases where businesses had no redundancy in place or their backup software wasn’t performing automatic backups. To prevent such risks, we would implement a robust backup and disaster recovery plan.
We might recommend the ReadyNAS system, which offers multiple drive redundancy, ensuring your data is protected even if one drive fails. Additionally, we would set up automatic cloud backups to ensure your data is always secure and recoverable, even in the event of an on-site failure. This would give your business peace of mind, knowing your data is always safe.
Security Breaches and Cyber Threats
Cybersecurity is more important than ever. Businesses of all sizes are vulnerable to cyberattacks, including phishing, malware and data breaches. Without the right security measures, your business could be exposed to significant risks.
If your business is struggling with outdated security systems, we could help you improve your defences. We’ve worked with clients who were using outdated anti-virus software and lacked encryption for sensitive data. After assessing the situation, we would upgrade your anti-virus and firewall systems to trusted solutions like Symantec security software.
Moreover, we would implement encryption for all sensitive data, ensuring protection both in transit and at rest. To enhance security awareness, we would also train your staff on recognising phishing attempts and establishing strong password policies. With these measures in place, your business would be far more secure, reducing the risk of cyber threats and data breaches.
Communication Breakdowns and Poor VoIP Quality
Communication is vital to the success of any business. Whether it’s phone calls, emails or video conferencing, communication tools need to work flawlessly. If your business experiences poor VoIP quality or dropped calls, it can lead to frustration and lost business opportunities.
If your business is facing communication breakdown, we would first analyse your network to determine the cause. Often, the issue stems from poor internet connectivity or an outdated VoIP system. We would recommend upgrading to a reliable, scalable 3CX VoIP phone system, which would improve call quality and provide flexibility as your business grows.
Additionally, we could improve your internet connection, ensuring the VoIP system runs smoothly with clear, uninterrupted calls. This would enhance internal communication, making it easier for your team to collaborate and for you to communicate effectively with clients.
Legacy Software and Server Migration Headaches
Many businesses still rely on outdated software or legacy servers that are no longer compatible with modern technology. These systems may have worked fine in the past, but as technology advances, they can become vulnerable to breakdowns, security risks and inefficiency.
If your business is still relying on old server systems or software, we could help with the transition to a more modern, secure setup. We’ve worked with clients who had old server systems running on unsupported software like Windows Server 2008. These businesses experienced regular crashes and found themselves unable to access important features.
We could help migrate your data and systems to a more reliable, up-to-date solution, such as a modern Microsoft Windows Server. We would ensure the new system is compatible with the latest software and applications, improving both speed and security. During the migration process, we would work closely with your team to ensure minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
Our Approach
At Edmondson’s, we take a proactive approach to IT support. Our goal is to understand the unique challenges your business faces and provide tailored solutions that ensure your IT infrastructure runs smoothly. Whether it’s fixing a slow computer, improving network performance, securing your data or migrating to modern systems, our experienced team is ready to help.
If any of these IT issues sound familiar, or if you simply want to optimise your IT systems, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We offer a free IT health check to identify potential vulnerabilities in your system and help ensure everything is running at its best.
Remember, what might seem like a small issue today could turn into a larger problem tomorrow. Let us help you stay ahead of potential challenges and keep your business running efficiently, securely and productively. Contact us today to schedule your IT health check and take the first step towards a better IT future.