Meet Alexis, a small business owner who turned her garage into a thriving hair salon. After a few successful years, she and her team decided to take things to the next level by moving into a retail space. More room, a welcoming waiting area, and space for extra stylists—it was the perfect upgrade!
When setting up her new shop, Alexis made sure to get business-class internet. She figured one high-speed network would be enough to handle everything - her business operations, point-of-sale (POS) system, and even guest Wi-Fi. But what she didn't realize was that this setup left her salon vulnerable to cyber threats and performance issues.
The hidden Risks of a Single Network
With all her internet-connected devices running on the same network, Alexis had unkowingly put her business at risk. Her personal computer (full of sensitive financial information), the credit card machines processing customer payments, and even her guests' phones were all sharing the same connection.
Tech-savvy bad actors can exploit setups like this, accessing other devices on the network. Wihtout proper protection, Alexis could've faced serious problems - stolen financial records, compromised customer credit card numbers, or even malware infecting every connected device.
Enter SmartBiz: A Better Way to Stay Connected
Realizing she needed a smarter solution, Alexis switched to SmartBiz from CentraCom - an all-in-one managed network service designed to keep small businesses running smoothly and securely. With SmartBiz, she gained:
- Enhanced security - SmartBiz creates four different networks using the single business-class internet connection. This keeps Alexis's sensitive business information secure at all times.
- Better bandwidth management - Her internet now prioritizes the most important devices so even at the busiest times, her computer ins't going to slow down.
- Cellular backup - if her internet goes down, her network stays up and running by connecting to her phone's hot spot.
- Powerful marketing tools - She can now engage with customers like never before.
More Networks, Less Stress
With SmartBiz, Alexis was able to split her internet into four separate networks, all running from the same connection.
- Primary Network - For her business devices.
- Staff Network - A separate connection just for employees.
- POS Network - Dedicated to running her point-of-sale system.
- Guest Network - For customers to browse the internet without slowing down business operations
Now, even during the busiest times, Alexis never has to worry about lagging devices or security risks. Her business runs seamlessly, no matter how many people are in the salon.
Turning Wi-Fi into a Marketing Tool
Another unexpected perk? SmartBiz helps her grow her business. Customers in the waiting area log into the Wi-Fi using their name and email, which automatically adds them to her marketing list. Alexis can now send out special discounts, loyalty rewards, and holiday closure announcements - all at the click of a button!
A Smart Move for Any Small Business
Thanks to SmartBiz, Alexis has peace of mind. Her salon's internet is secure, her customers are protected, and she's using technology to boost her business in ways she never imagined.
If you're running a small business looking to upgrade your internet, give Centracom a call at 1-800-427-8449 and ask about SmartBiz!
