Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

1. Shouldn't I be afraid to "give up" my data?

This is a valid concern. You know who's in your office. You know who has physical access to your servers. At anytime, you can put the backup tape in your briefcase and take it home with you. Clearly, there's a sense of security in all this -and at first glance, it appears as if you're giving this up.

Still, the sense of security most people feel when data is housed onsite is based more on perception than on reality. Do you really know who walks around your office? Are you positive that your backups will be there when they're needed? What if a disgruntled employee decides to do some damage? What's to prevent the computer guy from copying private data? Is the office connected to the Internet using a DSL line or a T1 that might be breached by some clever hacker? What's to prevent an intruder from accessing the server? If a competitor wanted to get a hold of the customer list, would you even be aware that there have been attempts to break into the system?

Protecting your data is serious business that should be evaluated logically rather than emotionally. The list of issues is long:

  • Viruses
  • Hard drive failures
  • Intruders
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility, etc.

It's easy to assume your data is safest only when you can touch and feel it. But data is similar to other valuables - most times, it makes more sense to let experts provide security. That's what they get paid to do.

YourDesk is armed with the latest technology to securely house your data. Companies store data in private client storage areas within our Network Operations Center. They do so knowing their data will always remain private, secure, and virus free. Similar to the way a bank operates, your privacy is always maintained. Security is always foremost, and you can be confident that your digital assets are safe.

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2. What if my office's Internet connection goes down?

Your Internet connection is your only responsibility. Therefore, it's your only point of failure. There's no way around it: If you don't have Internet access, you won't be able to run your applications and access your data. Fortunately, this is a simple problem to overcome.

Have a backup way to get to the Internet. Most clients access the Internet via a DSL or T1 connection to their office. Smaller offices and homes usually have cable modems - and of course, there's dial-up. Most offices today already have these data lines installed and are familiar with how frequently or infrequently they are down.

The truth is: These days, most data lines are cheap and reliable. Nonetheless, every business should have a backup connection to the Internet. Even clients who haven't had an issue with their line for an extended period of time are wise to at least have an active dial-up account in case of an emergency.

Our clients who express this concern at the outset quickly see that the advantages far exceed the disadvantages.

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3. How do I put a backup connection to the Internet in place?

The backup method should be based on the number of users at the location. For example, a small office that normally uses DSL will have a dial-up account in the event the line goes down. Additional cost: $10-15 per month. A larger office that normally uses a T1 line will have a cable modem or a DSL line as backup. Additional cost: $50-$120 per month.

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4. What about the speed?

When people first learn of YourDesk, they usually question the speed. Isn't it slower because the applications are not running locally? The answer is an emphatic "No!" Normally, you double-click an icon on your desktop and within 3 to 10 seconds - the application is open and ready to use. With YourDesk, once you have securely connected to our network center, applications will typically open within the same amount of time as on a normal desktop. Using an application is entirely seamless and you usually cannot tell the difference. On a 56k connection, you may experience an occasional delay but nothing that would interfere with productivity. The best way to alleviate any doubt is to try it. We are more than happy to setup a demo account for your use.

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5. What about software licensing & upgrades?

Microsoft, the largest software vendor, offers all of their software titles on a monthly rental basis. Included in whatever package you decide to purchase from YourDesk is the cost of any software license that you may require in order to run the applications you need to operate your business.

Regarding upgrades, we generally obtain the latest software versions as soon as they become available. Following YourDesk rigid Change Control procedures, we determine whether or not a new release/version of any software package is safe and reliable enough to load into the YourDesk environment. We then schedule the upgrade by working with our clients to ensure that there is either minimal or no impact to their business operations.

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