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Asking for the price of a new computer is like asking the price of a
car. Although all cars have four wheels, a roof and an engine, the
similarities stop there. With computers, as well as different brand
names available, there are many combinations of different component
specifications (e.g. processor speed, amount of memory).
Fortunately Computer Troubleshooters can help you translate the
technical jargon, but there is a large non-computing side of the
equation to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.
So how do you know if the money you are spending on technology is a wise
investment? This month we look at some of the questions that drive the
IT recommendations we make to our customers.
The
current
picture
We start by getting an understanding of the way your business currently
runs. This includes factors like how many staff you have and what
percentage of them rely heavily on a computer to perform their daily
tasks. How many locations you have and how transient are your staff
between locations or ‘on the road’? How is information currently stored
and shared between people, considering both internal staff and the
interaction between your customers and your business? Do your business
processes rely on faxes or duplicate forms? How are your supply-chain
relationships managed?
Any challenges
What frustrates your staff the most about their work? What do you feel
is the biggest challenge holding your company back? |
It’s important to get a clear picture of any issues so we can determine
if a technology solution can help, or if it’s really an underlying
business process problem. New technology won’t necessarily help if it’s
not supported by a strong business driver, processes and staff
education.
Your future plans
What is on the horizon for the next 12 months? 2 years? 5 years? Are
you looking to significantly expand or decrease your operations? Are
you thinking of selling your products on the Internet? Are there any
major changes in your industry that you need to take into account (such
as the impact of digital technology on businesses like camera film
processing and traditional printing presses)?
At home
A similar process can be undertaken if you are looking at technology for
your home. What do you use your computer for now? Would you be happy
with email and word processing, or do you have a teenager who would like
to play the latest computer games?
This is a very brief overview of some of the puzzle pieces that we take
into account when we make a technology recommendation. Once we have a
clear picture of your needs, we can sift through the many options
available and confidently recommend a solution that will fit your unique
situation.
Contact us. We're here to help with all your
technology questions.
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