From industry to industry, data plays a key role in one way or another for most modern businesses. The pandemic fast-tracked digital transformation journeys for many, with lockdowns forcing businesses to streamline their digital processes almost overnight. In fact, one survey found that COVID-19 speeded the adoption of digital technologies by several years.
With so much data now being collected and used in different ways, fast data transfer is crucial for business efficiency. This is particularly true for large organisations with individuals who are spread out over different sites and locations. Data transfer delays eat into productivity and cause frustration, hurting a business’ bottom line, while errors and security lapses can have catastrophic consequences.
But thankfully, there are several practices that can keep things moving smoothly. Following them can have a range of positive results, from increased revenues to reduced costs and improved customer service.
Read five quick tips for fast data transfers below.
Strong on-site Wi-Fi
Hybrid working may well be here to stay, according to Office for National Statistics data. But while you might not be welcoming workers into the office in the same numbers as before the pandemic, you still need to ensure an efficient experience for those that do venture in.
That means investing in fast, stable Wi-Fi that’s built to handle the data demands your team could put on it. Your Wi-Fi solution should also be robust enough to provide a strong connection everywhere, not just in certain spots.
A reliable server
Servers provide a range of different functions, many of them relating to data. That list includes file sharing, cloud storage, document collaboration and much more, so using a strong hosted server is crucial to your data upload and download speeds.
Choosing the right business server for your needs isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re not IT savvy. Turn to your internal experts – or consider speaking to a consultant if you lack in-house IT expertise.
The right hardware
Whenever you’re using hardware to transfer and store data, it’s wise to make sure you’re selecting the right stuff for the job. This includes using the correct USB type for each intended use, as not all USB equipment is built the same and different types of USB are more efficient for different tasks.
Not all USB cables are built to transfer data, for example, and relying on the wrong type could lead to less-than-optimal results.
Robust staff training
They say every business is only as good as its people – and that point rings true when it comes to data. Training your staff on secure and efficient data handling is vital to your operations, especially considering the potential consequences of GDPR breaches.
Even small mistakes can lead to data getting into the wrong hands, causing enormous financial and reputational problems, not to mention delays.
Is your business handling data as efficiently as it could be?