LAN networks allow clients to deliver high-speed web access and e-mail on each PC.  This is a critical capability yet one that is not widely practiced in many small businesses.  

With Fortune 1000 companies, offering Internet access through the LAN network is as necessary as a telephone dial tone. Small businesses have lagged tremendously behind in having access to LAN network based Web browsing and e-mail.

Once your small business networking solutions are in place, your clients may benefit greatly from a LAN network based Internet access upgrade.  Initially, your small business clients will probably think they’re being well served by low-budget standalone dial-up e-mail. However, as our economy becomes more information and technology-centric, email and Internet access are becoming more and more mission critical to businesses.  

It is crucial that you impart the importance for each PC user to have his/her own high-speed, LAN network based, centrally managed Web browsing and e-mail access right on his/her own PC. Here is a succinct way for you to explain the many benefits of delivering high-speed Internet access over a LAN network.

  • Increased Employee Productivity – no need to walk down the hall and wait until a PC is available.
  • Increased Privacy – LAN networks deliver Internet direct to the user’s PC so everyone has a secure, private way to send and receive internal and external e-mail.
  • Bigger Pipe at a Lower Cost per Seat – networks are cost justified because they spread resources and fixed costs over many users.  The same is true for LAN network based Internet because the client spreads the cost of more bandwidth.  
  • Dial-up ISP Accounts Are Often More Expensive – small business owners may “think” this low-budget approach “works,” but in reality the standalone approach is almost always more expensive than it appears on the surface.
  • Lower Support Costs – in a 25-user small business network, is it less costly to support one server providing LAN network based Internet access, or 25 PCs with 25 modems?  
  • Greater Control over External Threats and Internal Misuse – here again, does the business want to worry about securing a single modem (or router) with LAN network based shared Internet access, or 25 modems on individual end user PCs without firewall software?

Bottom Line on LAN Networks
By highlighting the above points you should be able to quickly and easily sell your small business clients on the economic benefits of providing Internet access via a LAN network. It usually makes the most economic sense and in our technologically based world it is almost a necessity to deliver the Internet and email using a LAN network.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to LAN Networks. To learn more about how you can improve your knowledge about LAN Networks, just click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.