Whether you’re a start-up running your business venture from the comfort of your own home, or you work from a home office occasionally, having your technology function properly is crucial to the success of your day-to-day operations and your overall business. Think about it – without access to your phone, Internet, or network, you can’t operate.

You may not have an IT department or the budget to hire a consultant, but if you follow the below tips, you’ll avoid many obstacles you may not have previously considered:

• Evaluate the Room: First, identify if you’ll have a dedicated room in your house for a home office, or if you’re incorporating it as part of a larger room. Once you’ve decided, draw a loose blueprint of the room and mark where you’ll be placing important equipment like your computer, printer, modem, etc. Do you have enough outlets, or do you need to have an electrician come out? Remember, if you have servers, they need their own dedicated outlets.
• Select a Phone System: Do you need to call a phone provider and have a new phone line installed? Will you be purchasing a telephone system? If yes, make sure it includes features like call waiting, transfer, conference, forwarding, voicemail, hold music, and call recording.
• Choose a Data Connection: Determine which type of connection will best suit the needs of your business. If you have a high level of data, go with a T1 line. Your cable TV company or phone provider can provide the necessary broadband service, and it can come in digital T1, T3, DSL, or fiber optic connections.
• Time Accordingly: Keeping in mind the above adjustments you may have to make to your home, plan accordingly. It can take up to two weeks for an electrician to come out and install new outlets, or for a new service provider to install and get your systems running. Find other locations you can work if you need to be elsewhere while construction is being done.

Running a small business out of a home office is extremely time-consuming. If you don’t have the added time to deal with IT, or it’s simply not your cup of tea, consider hiring a Portland IT company to ensure you’re wired & set-up properly.