I.T. devices are essential in our day-to-day lives, from entertainment, work, communication, and many more. However, as time passes, these pieces of equipment can slowly deteriorate and malfunction when not maintained properly. Additionally, working a piece of equipment to the point of failure costs 10 times more than following a strict maintenance schedule. Thus, it’s important to clean your IT devices often to prevent unwanted business costs.
Advantages of Maintaining I.T. Products
Apart from avoiding replacement costs, here is a list of the benefits you can expect when you regularly maintain your IT equipment:
Prevents Device Errors
Frequent maintenance checks can help identify potential device errors. These errors can then be addressed swiftly and properly when there is an ample amount of time to fix them.
Improves Equipment Lifespan
A maintenance schedule, apart from pinpointing possible device flaws, also helps the business cut costs on repairs and replacements. This is because continuous maintenance preserves the quality of equipment and its usable lifespan.
Maintains Equipment Efficiency
Well-maintained IT equipment operates efficiently, regardless of the device. It allows operators to replace wires, lubricate fans, brush off vents, and other essential tasks that reduce device inefficiencies which can negatively impact time and device productivity.
Preserves Device Up-Time
AnIT device that is maintained constantly can operate for longer periods of time compared to one that lacks frequent maintenance. The application of maintenance procedures helps even old devices keep up with new ones as the root causes for device inefficiency are addressed early on.
How to Maintain These 4 Pieces of I.T. Equipment
After establishing the importance and benefits of device maintenance, here is a list of 4 I.T. equipments to maintain:
Computers
Cleaning a computer involves two aspects: the hardware and the software. Both of these parts are equally crucial as they both contribute to the computing efficiency of the device.
For cleaning the hardware, be sure to wipe down any dust that might have accumulated overtime as dust buildup is a common cause of computers slowing down. Also, make sure to clean the computer exterior using a computer cleaning fluid to wipe down hard dirt and other particles.
Computer software maintenance, on the other hand, involves using programs such as antiviruses and cleaning tools to get rid of excess data in your hard drive. Remember to declutter unwanted programs that are taking up unnecessary space and update your software regularly to protect your computer from viruses.
Printers
Maintaining a printer involves making sure that the print head nozzles are delivering ink properly. Many types of printers, such as POS Printers in the Philippines, should only be cleaned when print quality declines. Make sure to clean printheads only with microfiber cloths, papers, and air blowers as using liquids can damage the quality of your printheads.
Biometric Devices
Biometric devices such as face scanners should be sanitized often to maintain device efficiency. Rubbing alcohol and lens wipers should be used to wipe off dirt and debris and avoid damage to the biometric sensors.
Network Hubs
Network hubs are often overlooked in maintenance as they are placed in areas that are hard to reach. Even so, network hubs can benefit from the occasional cloth wipe down to avoid dust from clogging fans and vents.
Conclusion
IT technicians should be responsible for maintaining IT equipment at home. However, it is also the owner’s responsibility to make sure that all IT devices are maintained properly from time to time.