There is a popular catchphrase “two steps forward one step back” that is often spun to “one step forward two steps back” when describing a scenario in which whatever we do to make progress we find ourselves further behind in our task. This modified saying seems to suggest that just because you take an action with the intention of improving doesn’t mean you’ll get the desired results; what’s important is that the action is well planned and takes into account the precautions that need to be put in place so that you won’t find yourself further behind than where you started.
Often times in business decisions are made that are intended to solve a problem or improve a situation only to find that the decision has brought on even greater problems. What’s remarkable about most of those decisions isn’t that they were flawed, but rather the execution was poorly managed.
Businesses depend heavily on their computer network system, finding it to be a godsend to solve the problems of inefficiency, unreliability, and inconsistency. While a computer network system is more than capable of tackling those issues and facilitating change it’s not as simple as just buying some hardware and connecting some computers; there has to be an understanding of what a computer network needs to operate properly. If this isn’t done then those problems will only become more obvious and lead to greater issues.
A healthy computer network system is more than capable of creating an environment in which employees can share files, software and hardware, speed up Internet activity, improve internal and external communication through email or instant messaging, and preserving and securing information. This is what a business has in mind when they think about a network, but you don’t get this kind of efficiency, reliability and consistency right out of the box.
Receiving the benefits of a healthy computer network system only comes when you maintain the health of that network; failure to do so will ultimately put you further behind from where you started. The important thing to know is that a computer network system requires attention. This is because, like anything else, problems can arise with the network.
Among the most damaging “problems” associated with network systems is the computer disease known as fragmentation. This is the disease that is responsible for the “two steps back” portion of the modified catchphrase and if it is not handled properly those two steps back can quickly seem like miles.
Fragmentation is a naturally occurring disease that exists on any unprotected system and as such it demands attention. As with any disease fragmentation is progressive and thinking it will go away on its own is nothing short of irresponsible. What fragmentation does is essentially cause gridlock on your drive, attacking the manner in which files are saved and stored. Because drive’s value free space whenever a file is saved it is stored directly behind the last file saved, leaving no room for modification. Of course when you’re dealing with a business you’re also dealing with a number of employees who often share and modify files, this is where fragmentation becomes dangerous.
When these files are retrieved on a network, modifications are made, and then resaved the drive cannot place the file back in its original space because it will no longer fit. The solution is to cut the excess information and place that piece of the file in the next available space on the drive; this is now a fragmented file.
What’s dangerous about this is the fact there is no limit to how many pieces a file can be fragmented into and to have hundreds if not thousands of pieces of a single file scattered across a drive is not uncommon. As his fragmentation continues to progress accessing files becomes more difficult because the drive is now forced to sift through pieces of files rather than just retrieve a single unit. This can become incredibly taxing on a drive and accounts for the lengthy delays, system hangs, and the eventual network crash that will occur if nothing is done.
Again, if you want to take a step forward make sure you’re putting your foot on firm ground. As it relates to a computer network system that step forward has to be with defragmentation software, the most effective tool to eradicate the problems associated with fragmentation.
Companies like Diskeeper, the market-leader in defragmentation software, have designed defrag as a comprehensive solution that ensures your network system will operate at its highest capacity. What this performance software does is repair the damaged files, gathering the pieces that belong together, joining them, and saving them in one space. This makes retrieving that file easier for the drive and thus speeds up its performance as well as its reliability.
An added benefit of this performance software is that it’s not just a repairer of fragmented files but a preventer of fragmentation as well. Because fragmentation exists on any unprotected system, installing defragmentation software at the earliest point will not only save you from the headaches that will come otherwise, it will save your business from falling behind.
Of course a healthy computer network system also enjoys a longer life span and knowing that performance software can restore and maintain that health makes it a necessity. If your business is serious about taking steps forward make sure your network system won’t push you back, install defragmentation software and enjoy the efficiency, reliability, and consistency that it provides.
