It is no secret that small businesses rely on technology and digital tools, not just for the day in and day out of running their businesses, but to reach new customers, communicate with employees, innovate, and grow. In the past few years, we have seen an exponential growth in cloud-based platforms for every area of running a business. Small business owners find they are managing several different applications to perform necessary tasks like point of sale, inventory management, customer contact, accounting, logistics, human resources… It is a long list. 

For these programs to be successful in streamlining business functions, a fast, reliable connection to the internet that can handle uploads as fast as downloads is essential. Seventy percent of business owners report that when there is an interruption to their network, their business is seriously impacted. However, many small business owners struggle with both the cost and complexity of managing their own network. With so many pressing concerns for a business owner, this important task can feel overwhelming. 

What should a small business owner be thinking about when it comes to their business network? Here are the top questions to ask yourself:

Security: Small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals. Small businesses need to consider the use of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and regular security updates to protect against the continually changing and evolving threats. How protected is your network?

Reliability and Speed: This decision is not just limited to full outages but also includes the speed and the symmetry of service. Do you know the average speed of your connection? Is your upload speed significantly lower than your download speed? Do you experience lag during certain times of your business day? Is your provider local with prioritized response times to commercial customers? Do you have a fail-over connection plan in place?

Scalability: As your business grows and technology advances, your network needs will change. Will your current network scale when needed? The Internet is delivered to the end user in many ways. Are you connected with the most advanced choice available? Beyond how your service is delivered, your experience can also be impacted by the equipment used inside your network. Do you understand your current equipment and available options?

Cost-Effectiveness: Managing a network in-house can be expensive and time-consuming. Though it can feel like an extra expense, a professional Managed Network Service Provider can help you save money and time by taking on the responsibility of network management and maintenance. Are you ready to make the investment to protect your network and business?

Expertise: Managed Network Service Providers have the expertise and experience to help you make the most of your network. They can provide guidance on best practices, troubleshoot problems, and help you make informed decisions about your network infrastructure. Have you weighed the benefits of professional services?

As a local internet service provider to small businesses, we highly recommend you seek out a partnership with a Managed Service Provider. Riverwave has the privilege of working in tandem with many excellent MSPs in WNC. Whether you are a Riverwave customer or not, we are happy to point you in the direction of professionals in your area that excel in working with businesses just like yours. Reach out to us for recommendations.

If engaging an MSP is on your horizon but not in the budget just yet, Riverwave offers a customized managed Wi-Fi solution that will get and keep you up and running. Our service is Fiber Optic, meaning the service supplied is not only reliable, it is fast, symmetrical (download and upload speeds are the same), and scalable as you grow. We offer speeds from 100 mbps to 1 Gb, and you can increase your speed with just a phone call – no change in hardware needed. Knowing that it takes more than a great connection to have a great experience, we include a carrier grade Wi-Fi router, award winning network security, and an app that puts the control of your network in the palm of your hand. Through our BizWorks offering, we can help you check off all the boxes above. With full-service installation by one of our local in-house technicians, your business will be up and running at the speed of light. If our business can help your business, please reach out to us. It would be our pleasure to serve you.

Ellen Stallings is the President at Riverwave Broadband. Learn more about how Riverwave can help your business at RideRiverWave.com or by emailing [email protected].