FAQ's on Technology

Question:  What is Remote Access?
Answer:  Remote access allows you to access your work computer or company network from a remote location or computer via dial-up access, Broadband access or wireless access.
Contact:  Thom Bethune thomas@infopathways.com

Question:  What is a server?
Answer:  The term "server" describes a computer that is used mainly as a networked storage device. Servers can have a number of different functions, including file sharing, hosting web sites, databases, and software applications. InfoPathways recommends that most offices invest in a server; we can design and build a custom server to fit your needs.
Contact:  Thom Bethune thomas@infopathways.com

Question:  Does it matter who does my network wiring? Can my electrician do it?
Answer:  Yes, it does matter who does your wiring. And, generally speaking, NO, your electrician should not be the one doing the wiring unless they have learned how to do it right. Our experience has been (repeatedly) that when an electrician wires an office or building for networking, it is incomplete at best, and at worst, such a mess that you spend more money getting it corrected or you suffer with the inability to expand and grow your network in an effective manner.
Contact:  Thom Bethune thomas@infopathways.com

Question:  How do I get my wiring done right?
Answer:  First, make sure that the company putting in your wiring has done it before. Second, make the company putting in your wiring responsible for terminating the wiring at both ends and testing it to verify every connection works correctly. Third, make the company doing your wiring label everything; I don't care if they use letters, numbers, cartoon names or the names of leaves; make troubleshooting latter on easy for the person doing the troubleshooting. And finally, make the company doing your wiring leave drawings of what has been installed, marked with the labeling convention in step three above. Network cabling is easy work … plan for it to be done correctly.
Contact:  Thom Bethune thomas@infopathways.com

Question:  If I am refurbishing my office, how should I plan for my network?
Answer:  Of course, this depends on your type of business, but here are some concepts to consider: It costs less to run more cable (a little extra) while the walls are open, rather than cut it too close. Some of our customers have planned for the number of connections they believe they need currently, then double that number for every space in their facility. Their plan is one that says "We're never going to open these walls again". Consider that most printers these days can be connected to the network. And if you have a docking station for your laptop, sitting next to your desktop PC, you'll want a wired connection for that too. I have four network connections in my office, and they are all used.
Contact:  Thom Bethune thomas@infopathways.com