Why do we do networking ?

If your business has more than one computer, chances are you could benefit from networking. A network connects your company's computers, allowing your staff to share and exchange a variety of information and other resources. While one computer can be useful on its own, several networked computers can be much more useful.

How a network can give your business a boost:

File sharing

Have you ever needed to access a file stored on another computer? A network makes it easy for everyone to access the same file and prevents people from accidentally creating different versions. No more messing about with floppy disks.

Printer sharing

With a network, several computers can share the same printer. Although you might need a more expensive printer to handle the added workload, it's still cheaper to use a network printer than to connect a separate printer to every computer in your office.

Collaborating

It's hard for people to work together if no one knows what anyone else is doing. A network allows employees to share files, view other people's work and exchange ideas more efficiently. In a larger office, you can use email and instant messaging tools to communicate quickly and to store messages for future reference.

Organising

Various software programs are available that make it possible to arrange meetings without constantly checking everyone's diarys. Other helpful features often included are shared address books and task lists.

Use the Internet

If you have several computers but just one phone line, a network makes using the Internet much easier. Several computers can share one modem to use the same Internet connection. Or you can install a dedicated high-speed Internet connection (such as ISDN or ADSL) for your network.

Save your data

It's crucial to back up your computer data regularly. A network makes it easier to back up all of your company's data on one set of tapes or other backup media.

Connect to the office from home

Remotely connecting to the office enables a myriad of opportunities and competitive advantages. Access to vital information when away from the office improves employee productivity and communications as well as better response times to sales opportunities. With remote access, you can always retrieve critical business resources, no matter where you are working.

connecting a computer to another computer to exchanging data ( including voice and video ).