In the March/April 2011 issue of the AAA North Jersey Traveler magazine, author Jim Grey wrote an article entitled, “Preventative maintenance helps the life of your vehicle.”  While I won’t reprint the article in its entirety, I do want to highlight a few of the statements he uses to describe how to take care of your car, and apply them to the care of your computer network.

“Consumers may think it’s the luck of the draw when a car reaches 200,000 miles and another bites the dust at 100,000, [while] it really comes down to preventative maintenance.

Scheduling regular trips to your mechanic can mean the difference in tens of thousands of miles in your car’s life.”

Well, most small business owners know that their computer networks can last anywhere from two years to ten.  But very few of them contact a technician to take care of them until something breaks.  Most people don’t know (and even fewer even care) about the common maintenance techniques necessary to keep their computer networks running properly.

“Most secrets to extending the life of your vehicle can be found in your glove box.  Manufacturers outline the correct service intervals for your vehicle in the owner’s manual.”

While computers used to come with an owner’s manual, nowadays, manufacturers provide this information on their web sites under the support link.  This places a burden on the computer owner to go to the site, download the file, and read it.  However, I don’t think there is any manufacturer that details “service intervals” for a computer.

“Your owner’s manual will outline service schedules for oil changes, tire rotation, fluid flushes, etc.  It also tells you when to replace items like the timing belt and water pump before a problem occurs.”

Here’s where the analogy between cars and computers falls apart.  There simply is no universally agreed upon schedule of services for computers.  Just the same, there are common tasks that are required, for example:

  • You have to ensure your anti-virus is updated frequently.
  • You must allow Windows to perform its updates each month.
  • You have to see that ancillary products get their updates.

At a minimum, these tasks will ensure each computer is safeguarded from potential problems.  There are additional tasks, like removing temporary files, defragmenting the hard drive, and backing up your data that should also be performed; however, the rate at which these are performed is entirely up to the business owner.

“Along with the owner’s manual, finding a good maintenance and repair shop can help in the effort to extend the life of your vehicle.

Finding technicians who specialize in routine maintenance and who focus on the particular needs of your vehicle eliminates a lot of the guess-work and pricey repairs that come with quick-change lube shops.”

I could not have said that any better.  Finding a good computer technician is a key factor in maintaining your computer as well as your network.  Using “on-call” techs from the big box or office supply stores will not give you the personalized attention and feeling of control that you will get by using a dedicated computer technician.  However, simply engaging in routine maintenance is not enough.

Computer networks require a more proactive approach than automobiles – especially those used by small businesses.  For small business owners, computer systems are their life-blood.  No matter what the business is, without a properly functioning computer system, the owner’s efforts at achieving success can be stymied by failing or incorrectly configured components.

Grey concludes: “Extending the life of your vehicle isn’t just a game of chance.  You win when you protect your investment with routine maintenance.”  To which I say, “Amen, brother!”  The same thing applies to your computer network.  For that reason, Heliotropic Systems offers two different preventative maintenance plans: the SPF plan, for home computer users, and the SHADE plan, for small businesses.  These plans include software that lets me know – before there is a problem – when I have to get involved and do something.  Otherwise, the software takes care of routine tasks that, as noted, are especially important, but that you should not have to bother with.

So, if you have been neglecting the maintenance on your computer or network, please pick up the phone and call 201-363-8703, or send an e-mail to info@heliotropicsystems.com, and arrange for a free “Technology Tune-Up.”  I will review your computer system and let you know what needs to be done to keep it running.  And, if you contact me during May and mention this article, I will be able to offer you one month free on either of my maintenance plans.

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