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D&E in the News

11-09-07 - Computer Networks Facilitate File Sharing, Data Protection

 

Central Penn Business Journal - Tech Guide
Shawn Ledington

Businesses that communicate among more than two computers may benefit if they establish local area networks for better peer-to-peer data sharing, according to a local product-development specialist.

Larry Buehler with D&E Communications Inc. of Ephrata said small- and medium-sized businesses need to consider their growth timelines before deciding how to establish networks.

A business with only a few computes in one building will require less than a business with multiple floors and multiple offices in different towns or states, he said.

Businesses can set up their own networks or contract with a company that specializes in managing networks, he said.

When a business manager decided to establish his or her own network, all of the work and maintenance of that network falls back to the business itself, while contracting with a company to maintain the network offers support, he said.

A small shop with only two computers could easily maintain a network on its own, he said, but as that business grows, maintenance could become more costly and time-consuming. A network budget can vary from as low as $100 to thousands of dollars, Buehler said, adding that it all depends on the complexity of the communication needs.

Along with establishing networks, businesses that are growing can also consider adding different types of servers that will allow multiple computers to share equipment such as printers.

Even a home business can setup a network, Buehler said. He established a network at home among his family's five computers for $60.

Kevin Flory, an instructor within the Computer Network and Systems Administration at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, cautions any business owner who considers putting all of his or her firm's data on hard drive to also back up that data.

"Too many businesses lose vital data in a computer failure or another emergency, and then aren't able to recover", Flory said.

"Along with establishing networks, businesses that are growing can also consider adding different types of serves that will allow multiple computers to share equipment such as printers."