5 Tech Skills You Can Learn to Maintain Your Company Computers

Running a business means juggling a lot of moving parts—from customer service to managing your inventory or keeping your accounting up to date. But one area that often gets overlooked until something goes wrong? Your business computers.

At AS Computer Solutions here in Onoway, we’ve helped many local business owners get their tech back on track after a crash or slowdown. But what if you could prevent those issues in the first place?

The good news: you don’t need to be a full-on IT professional to keep your systems running smoothly. With just a few beginner-friendly tech skills, you can save time, avoid costly repairs, and feel more in control of your setup.

Here are five easy but powerful tech skills you can learn to help maintain your business computers.

✅ Skill #1: Basic File Backup & Recovery

Let’s start with the most important one—backing up your data.

Imagine losing your invoices, client records, or product photos overnight. It happens more often than you’d think, especially when malware or hardware failure strikes.

Here’s how to stay ahead of disaster:

• Learn to use cloud storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive automatically sync your files and make recovery a breeze.
• Set up external backups: Plug in an external hard drive and use built-in tools like Windows Backup or macOS Time Machine.
• Create a backup routine: Whether it’s weekly or daily, set a reminder and stick to it.

💡Tip from ASCS: Redundancy is key. Keep one backup in the cloud and one offline. You’ll thank yourself later.

🛡️ Skill #2: Identifying and Removing Malware

Viruses, spyware, ransomware—these can bring your entire operation to a halt. But with a few tools and a little know-how, you can spot threats early and remove them safely.

What to learn:

• Install and update antivirus software: Tools like Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, or Windows Security provide real-time protection.
• Recognize suspicious behaviour: Slow performance, pop-ups, and unauthorized changes are common signs.
• Use safe mode and scanning tools: You can run deep scans from Safe Mode to catch stubborn threats.

⚠️ If things still seem off after a scan, it’s a good idea to get a pro involved—especially if sensitive data is at stake.

🧰 Skill #3: Cleaning and Maintaining Hardware

Just like your car needs a regular oil change, your computers need physical care too.

Here’s what you can do:

• Dust the fans and vents regularly: Use compressed air (carefully!) to prevent overheating and loud fan noise.
• Check cable connections: Loose or frayed cables can lead to random shutdowns or network issues.
• Keep work areas clean and dry: Coffee spills and crumbs in keyboards? Big no-no for longevity.

💡Bonus Tip: Label power cords and USB connections—it’ll save you tons of time when things need to be unplugged or rearranged.

🔄 Skill #4: Updating Software and Drivers

Outdated programs or drivers are behind a surprising number of tech issues we see at ASCS.

What to keep an eye on:

• Windows or macOS updates: Keep your OS current to avoid bugs and security holes.
• Driver updates: These are the small programs that let your hardware (printers, mice, etc.) talk to your system. You can update them via Device Manager (Windows) or Software Update (macOS).
• Business software: Make sure tools like QuickBooks, POS systems, and browsers are all up to date to avoid crashes or glitches.

✅ Set updates to run automatically during off-hours so they don’t disrupt your workflow.

🌐 Skill #5: Troubleshooting Internet & Network Issues

Internet down? Printer not connecting? Learning to quickly troubleshoot your small office network can save you hours on hold with support.

Try these steps:

• Power-cycle your modem/router: Unplug, wait 30 seconds, and plug back in.
• Check cable connections: Especially for Ethernet lines or wall jacks.
• Use built-in network diagnostics: Both Windows and macOS have simple tools to help identify connection problems.

💡 If you’re dealing with a slow or spotty connection regularly, you may need better equipment or a professional setup—we can help with that too!

🧑‍🔧 Still Feeling Stuck? Let ASCS Be Your Backup Plan

While these skills will cover most basic maintenance tasks, sometimes the problem runs deeper—faulty hardware, software conflicts, or full-on system failures.

That’s where we come in.

At AS Computer Solutions, we offer:

• Fast, friendly tech support
• Computer and laptop repairs
• Malware removal and prevention
• Business system optimization
• Custom maintenance plans tailored to your needs

Whether you’re running a home-based business or managing a growing team, we’re here to make sure your tech keeps up with your success.

🏢 Serving Onoway & Surrounding Communities

Don’t wait until things break—start building your tech confidence today, and lean on us whenever you need a hand. We’re your local, reliable tech team just around the corner.

📞 Call or visit us today:

🌐 www.ascomputersolutions.ca

📍 Onoway, Alberta

📧 [email protected]