The most important function of a network is to provide a link between people, information and devices. Networking computers together allows users to share resources, such as data and peripherals, without any special level of knowledge by the user. To the user, the network is simply an extension of their existing computer.

Once users are connected to a network, they can share applications and files. E-mail and word processing are examples of applications that can be coordinated with a network. A file can be stored on a network server by one user, and then accessed by another user. Your data is one of your most important company assets, so making sure that critical files, such as customer databases and documents, are available to your users is of top importance for your business.

Networks can greatly reduce the cost of peripherals, such as modems and printers, by centralizing usage and sharing it among users. Printers, for instance, can become very expensive if every desktop is equipped with one. By networking, your business can use fewer, more powerful printers with more advanced features, instead of a large number of smaller printers. Because of the higher speed and additional  features of these printers, your users may actually become more productive and creative.

In addition, the cost of maintaining multiple modems, multiple dial-out lines and multiple Internet accounts can ring up quickly for your business. Allowing all of your users to connect to the Internet over a high-speed connection, such as an DSL/Cable or T1 line, can provide overall better performance as well as a cost savings for your business.

Regular backup of your information is vital to your data integrity. However, you can't always count on a regular regimen of data backup from all members of your company. Networks can assist in regular backup by taking that chore out of the users' hands and centralizing it over the network, making the regular protection of data an effortless, routine task As you can see, networks can provide plenty of benefits, from increased productivity to greater data protection and even to cost savings. In today's competitive business world, almost every company can benefit from networking their computers.