Computers are often the first thing companies think about when evaluating their technology needs, but networks are what connects the whole office together and to the outside world.

A network is simply two or more computers or devices that are linked in order to share resources or allow electronic communications (like going online). The two most common types are a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN).

Without a network, your office would consist of just stand-alone computers and equipment with no connection to the internet and no connection to each other.

Of course, that’s not how offices work, and that’s why networks are vital to any business. Keeping them secure and maintained properly is also just as important, so doing a network assessment should be part of any overall technology plan.

Of the top 3 business goals companies have, technology helps with all of them.

Business software firm Capterra conducted a survey asking business owners their top goal for the next 1-2 years. The top three were:

• Grow Revenue (58%)
• Grow Customer Base (43%)
• Increase Employee Productivity (40%)

All of those are goals that technology and your connected network can help you reach. But your technology can also hold you back if you’ve got issues with old hardware slowing you down or data breach problems.

Our Network Technology Team at SchrankLABS delivers innovative IT consulting to businesses throughout Southeast Wisconsin and beyond. One of the services that we always recommend is a network assessment both to ensure proper data security and for several other benefits, which we’ll go over below.

What’s Involved with a Network Assessment?

So, what exactly is a network assessment and what does it involve?

Think of it as a checkup of your organization’s full IT infrastructure, processes, management, and security that is designed to diagnosis any weaknesses and identify areas of improvement.

Do you have spots in the office where your Wi-Fi signal is weak? That’s the type of issue a network assessment can fix.

Are you worried about data breaches and virus issues with employee mobile devices? This is another area that a network assessment takes a look at and can let you know if your current security protocols are just fine or if you need to add some extra protection.

A network assessment doesn’t just look at a single computer or server, but the whole connective web of your IT infrastructure in order to streamline the processes and make improvements where needed.

5 Big Network Assessment Benefits

SchrankLABS is often called out to help businesses with IT problems in Burlington, WI and beyond when there’s an emergency and something’s gone wrong. Companies don’t always look for IT assessments when things are seemingly running smoothly.

Being proactive instead of reactive lowers IT costs.

But, if you’re only reactive with your technology instead of being proactive, it can cost you big time. Not only from the cost of urgent repairs but also the expense related to cleaning up data breaches due to an unsecure network.

Here are five major benefits for your business by having an IT professional do a network assessment.

1. Identifying Security Vulnerabilities

One of those silent issues that often goes undetected in the day-to-day of business are vulnerabilities in a network that can allow hackers and viruses into your system.

Network assessments take a look at existing firewalls and other security protocols to ensure they’re properly updated and are protecting you like they should. They can also review traffic patterns to see if someone is actively trying to breach your system.

2. Open Up Bottlenecks That Are Slowing You Down

Issues with routers or other connectivity hardware can be slowing your emails and internet down considerably. While you may think it’s due to the ISP service, it could be a simple fix of settings or change of hardware in your network that clears up the issue. Network assessments can often correct performance issues that slow down your productivity.

3. Identify Old and Failing Hardware

Do you have a printer connection that’s “quirky” and prints only when it feels like it? It’s not uncommon for older hardware to begin acting up as it starts to fail and reach end of life. Without an IT professional investigating your cables, connectors, and other hardware in your network, it might be impossible for you to know which specific component needs replacing before it completely fails.

4. Streamlining Your Resources

Is there an extra system in your network that’s not needed and only slowing you down? What about an app that is taking up way more bandwidth than it should? A network assessment can identify whether you are overusing or underusing resources and provide an approach to streamline, remove unnecessary components, and set up your network for optimum performance.

5. Receive Important Reporting and Insights

You may be nearing the limit of a current bandwidth plan but not realize it. Employees may be sidestepping your virtual private network (VPN) that you set up for security when using their mobile devices for work. These are important facts you need to know so you can plan and make changes accordingly.

A network assessment will give you important insights you need as a manager to keep your business growing and running smoothly.

Would You Like to Schedule a Network Assessment?

When was the last time you’ve had a network assessment? For many businesses, they aren’t quite sure.SchrankLABS offers affordable network assessments that save you money on your ongoing IT costs and improve your business workflow. Give us a call today at 262-347-3199 or schedule an appointment online.