NextStep Networking is a long-established local Network Service Provider supplying a framework for end-to-end Information Technology (IT) solutions, from strategy to implementation and support. Our company is comprised of highly skilled and certified technology advisors and engineers, dedicated to leveraging the most appropriate technologies to build solutions that meet YOUR business needs today and into the future.

Network Design and Installation

Expert initial design is without a doubt one of the most critical cornerstone steps in ensuring efficient and successful small business computer operations.  It is the foundation that your critical operations will be based upon.  You wouldn’t build your house without having a solid design or plan to start with.  The same is true with your small business network.  A skillfully designed/engineered network can help transform your business literally overnight -  increasing worker productivity, providing data security, expanding communications, etc.

Network Maintenance/Management

Once again, we meet YOUR specific business needs.  Whether YOU need one of our outstanding network engineers on-site at your facility for pre-determined periods of time or simply would like us to remotely maintain/manage your network from our Network Operation Center, we provide the services YOU need for your business operations.  It comes down to a pragmatic business decision.  Most small businesses simply can’t afford or justify the full-time resources required to manage and maintain their computer environment.  Besides, where could you find one individual that would have the depth and breadth of experience and knowledge that our team of engineers with over 75 years combined technical background bring to service you?

Disaster Recovery Planning

A company without some type of Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Plan is like a ship without sonar sailing in the night through iceberg laddened waters.  One big “chunk of ice” and you’re sunk.  You wouldn't operate your business without insurance to recover from a fire, flood, or other disaster.  Don't jeopardize your business' most precious asset: data.  We have worked with businesses as strictly regulated as Banks to small organizations wanting to ensure continuous, uninterrupted operations of their computer environment.  Not only can we help you determine what plan your business needs, we can help you prepare and implement the appropriate plan.

Network Monitoring

Whether you need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or only standard “business hours” of 8 am to 5 pm, we can remotely monitor and manage the health, performance, and security of all the components of your company's own unique "system", from the communications interface, to the network and all of the way to the desktop.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your car is going to quit on the highway BEFORE you put the key in it in the morning?  That’s the type of benefit you can expect from network monitoring.   Wouldn’t it be even better to know this a week before so you could get it into “the shop”?  Our Network Monitoring helps answer questions like:  Are my server processors being over run?  Am I running out of storage space?  Is my server load too high?  Do I have enough memory and swap space?

System Security Audits

If your business has a dedicated connection to the Internet, through T1 lines, ISDN, DSL, or a Cable Modem, your network is potentially open to attack from the Internet.  Hackers can take over your computers, load programs on them, steal data from your servers, and even crash your entire network.  A typical Internet-connected business will experience one to two such attempts each week.   Sensitive customer and financial information needs special safeguarding if it is kept on your server.  Many sites have been hacked recently, and financial data including customer credit card information was among the data stolen. Not only can we find and alert you to potential vulnerabilities but we can also provide you with the solutions to minimize your risk and exposure.

Our specially trained engineers can perform as simple or as comprehensive internal and/or external systems security audit as YOU need to find out where YOUR computer operations are vulnerable.  In today’s world of hackers and attackers it’s no longer a question of “IF” but “WHEN” your systems environment will be hit.

Internet Firewalls

Firewalls are filtering devices that control what kind of information can flow between the Internet and the internal network of a company, institution, or even your home.  With the rapid growth of interest in the Internet and the Windows NT/2000 operating system, network security has become a major concern to companies throughout the world. The fact that the information and tools needed to penetrate the security of corporate networks are widely available has only increased that concern.  If anyone on your computer network has access to the internet it is VITAL that you have a correctly designed Firewall solution.  Without a truly effective Firewall, you’re inviting the “fox into the chicken coop.”

System Documentation

You wouldn’t operate your business without a set of “financial books” would you?  Why wouldn’t you show the same attention to something as critical as your computer operations, your customer data, your company communications (i.e. Email, FAXes, etc.)?  What if there were a fire, rainstorm, tornado, etc.?  How would you re-create your damaged systems environment?

Remote and Wireless Access Solutions

Today more and more small businesses want/need access to their company information from literally ANYWHERE.  You can access that critical customer database or email message from Home, while traveling, in a hotel, or even at a customer site.  This is one of the greatest advantages small businesses have in proving to their customers that “small” doesn’t mean limited.

Server/Desktop Repairs

If it’s got moving parts and it’s mechanical/electrical, at some point it’s going to break.  Not only do we provide preventative maintenance to your systems environment to minimize these down times but we’re there to fix critical equipment when it does go down on you.

Application Support

Our engineers will help your people when they encounter problems with critical software applications they depend on to get their work done.  Thursday afternoon when payroll is to be processed is NOT the time you want this critical application to “crash.”