Assess your networking needs

Consider what you want the system to do and what results you want. Express your requirements in business terms, not computer terms - for example you might consider the value remote workers can provide customers by having immediate access to stock levels.

Analyse your systemConsider your business processes. Do any depend on producing or accessing information - could you benefit from storing this centrally and letting staff access it via individual PCs? Consider which processes networking could support, eg staff might need access to centralised customer records to create sales quotations. Estimate your future computing requirements. If your business takes on more staff your IT system will need to expand to support them - this is called scalability. Audit your existing equipment. Consider how many people will use the network - staff, suppliers and customers. Assess your printing requirements and the best locations for equipment suc as scanners and disk drives. Decide how much you can spend on computer networks.

Calculate costs - include purchase, installation, support, maintenance and training as well as lost business due to staff involvement. Consult your local Chamber of Commerce or Business Link, or similar-sized businesses that you deal with. Find your local Business Link through our Contacts Directory. Calculate potential savings - replacing manual and paper-based processes, reducing hardware costs by sharing facilities, and capital allowances. Consider securityConsider who will use the network. Identify what access controls you will require, such as passwords. Outline back-up procedures - eg take regular back-ups of your data in case your system crashes.

Select productsResearch the available technology through networking suppliers' websites, specialist exhibitions, or discussing your requirements with PC and networking companies. Networking magazines - often online - include features on the latest developments. Do you want a peer-to-peer network - which you could install in-house - or do you need an expert to help set up a client/server system? See the page in this guide on office networks. Prepare a shortlist of suitable products from different vendors. Talk to people using these products or read magazine reviews. Consider the support facilities for each product