Technology Resource Guide

Technology Considerations for Your Home or Business

Instant communication and 24/7 access to information are just two of many technology considerations for your home or business. If you’re searching for a service provider, the DexKnows local listings can help you find telecommunications companies and technology services nearby.

Computer Hardware

For a business on a budget, saving money on computer hardware is high on the list of considerations. Many companies, especially smaller firms, upgrade equipment on an as-needed basis and reuse computer monitors, keyboards and laptops as employees come and go.

A computer repair service can help home and business customers extend the life of their computer systems by:

• Diagnosing computer performance
• Restoring network and Internet connectivity
• Removing spyware and viruses
• Performing software upgrades
• Performing disaster recovery

Consult the Dex directory for a computer repair technician in your area.

Internet connectivity

Whether you use the Internet at work or at home, it’s a valuable tool for keeping in touch and staying informed.

Home Internet usage has surged in recent years with the advent of social media and video streaming. Cable Internet and satellite Internet companies offer competitive options and pricing, so you should shop around to find the best service for your needs. Service providers may also bundle cable TV, Internet and telephone packages and offer low introductory rates, all of which can help keep your costs down.

Businesses rely on high-speed Internet and networking infrastructure to stay connected with distributed teams, so their main concerns tend to be about data security and disaster recovery. If you’re a small business owner interviewing prospective service providers, you’ll want to ask how they protect your internal network from attacks and secure data transfers and off-site data storage.

Telecommunications

Thanks to the smartphone, landlines and payphones are going the way of the dinosaur. Even so, many phone companies still offer traditional home phone service and also package landline and cell phone service together as a lower-cost option for residential customers. If you have tweens and teens at home, you may also want to consider limiting minutes, data usage and texting to help avoid sticker shock when the monthly bill arrives.

When shopping around for phone service for your office, take these issues and features into account:

• Cost
• Ease of use
• Call forwarding
• An automated attendant (especially useful for small firms that may not have a receptionist)
• Voice mail

Talk to your service provider about other considerations for business phones and phone systems.

Whether you just moved, started a new business or want to change service providers, the DexKnows directory can help you find a local phone service or Internet companies in your area.