Maintaining the hardware for your e-commerce business is a necessary but often-overlooked task. By following some simple tips, you can keep your systems running smoothly and avoid any costly or inconvenient outages.
1. Keep the machines up-to-date
E-commerce businesses, especially those selling more complex items, require a number of different applications to run. For example, a company that sells clothing might need an order processing program, inventory management software, and a web store platform. As new versions of the programs on your site are released over time, you’ll want to update your machines accordingly. This prevents any complications from arising as the two programs try to communicate with each other, and viruses from infecting your site’s files. If you do not update your systems, you will be forced to either install the new version of the program on a separate machine or work out compatibility issues as they arise.
2. Manage the temperature in your location
You don’t have to be a professional building engineer to keep your system running smoothly. Your servers may have all necessary automatic monitoring tools in place, but it is up to you to ensure that these tools are being employed correctly. One simple way to do this is to check the temperature in your server room daily. By keeping it at between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius, you can prevent overheating. This will help improve network performance and protect your machine’s hardware. So keep up with your furnace and AC repairs to maintain the proper temperature for your equipment.
3. Conduct regular backups
It should go without saying that regularly backing up your data is one of the best preventative measures you can take to protect your hardware. Data loss is one of the most common problems for e-commerce companies, but it’s almost always avoidable with proper preparation. If you do not already have a regularly maintained backup system in place, you should consider adding one to your company’s responsibilities.
In line with this, you have to test backups as often as possible. Making sure that your backup system is working correctly will save you from a lot of wasted time and money in the long run. If a random component failure occurs, backups can help you return to business quickly so that downtime for your customers is reduced to a minimum. If possible, back up directly onto disks instead of online servers. This reduces the chances of human error during file transfer and means that you can secure your data more easily.
4. Monitor the power supply
Blackouts can do a lot of damage to a business within minutes, so it is important to have a plan in place for dealing with the loss of power. Always have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) on hand and make sure that everyone knows how to use it properly. A UPS will allow you to shut down your system gracefully during a power outage, preventing any corruption of data or other problems from arising.
5. Train employees on the proper use of your software and hardware
New hires can often be the cause of security leaks and other unexpected problems, so make sure that they are trained thoroughly before being given access to any of your company’s systems. This way, you can avoid situations where they might accidentally access confidential files or delete important content. By keeping your employees aware of your standards and goals for the business, you can help avoid costly mistakes down the road.
6. Protect your data with virus protection
As the possibility of hacking increases, so does the need for quality virus protection. You should invest in robust antivirus software that offers real-time threat monitoring and the ability to lock out suspicious files instantly. This will give you an extra layer of security against potential threats because it scans all activity on your servers rather than waiting for suspicious files to come to the attention of IT personnel. This will prevent potentially harmful downloads before they can even reach any of your systems.
7. Always have a person who can troubleshoot problems
Never leave your business at the mercy of software or hardware that is failing. It’s important to always have someone on hand who can reach into the machine and repair issues when they arise. Even though technicians are expensive, they’re worth the extra expense if their skills help you avoid potential disasters down the road. This will also help you cut back on other costs such as lost data, useless user downtime, and system repair fees.
When it comes to your e-commerce business, you can’t afford to not take proper precautions in order to avoid costly mistakes. Hardware and software need regular maintenance, so make sure that they are running at optimal levels by following the tips mentioned for maintaining the hardware of your e-commerce company.