If your business has more than one computer, chances are you could benefit from networking them. A local area network (LAN) connects your company's computers, allowing them to share and exchange a variety of information. While one computer can be useful on its own, several networked computers can be much more useful.

Here are some of the ways a computer network can help your business:

File sharing.
Have you ever needed to access a file stored on another computer? A network makes it easy for everyone to access the same file and prevents people from accidentally creating different versions. And you won't have to worry about where you left that floppy disk!

Database and Accounts.
Most businesses use a database of some kind and also Sage book keeping software. These both require a network in order to be used by multiple employees working on live data in real time.

Printer sharing.
If you use a computer for your business, you also use a printer. With a network, several computers can share the same printer. Although you might need a more expensive printer to handle the added workload, it's still cheaper and more productive to use a powerful network printer than to connect a separate printer to every computer in your office.

Communicate and collaborate.
It's hard for people to work together if no one knows what anyone else is doing. A network allows employees to share files, view other people's work and exchange ideas more efficiently. In a larger office, you can use email and instant messaging tools to communicate quickly and to store messages for future reference.

Get organized.
A variety of network scheduling software is available that makes it possible to arrange meetings without constantly checking everyone's schedules. This software usually includes other helpful features, such as shared address books and to-do lists.

Get online.
If you have several computers but just one phone line, a network makes using the Internet much easier. Many computers can share one Internet connection. Or you can even install a dedicated high-speed Internet connection (ISDN or ADSL) for your network.

Save your data.
You should know by now that it's vital to back up your computer data regularly. A network makes it possible to back up all of your company's data centrally on one set of tapes, CDs or other backup systems.

Security.
A network controlled by a central server allows each user to be monitored and controlled as to which files and services they may access. The accounts department would have privileges over confidential files and other users may be prohibited from accessing the internet. All usage would be logged.

Hot Desking.
Enables users to log on at any workstation and be able to access their files, email and desktop anywhere in the office.

Teleworking.
Enabling Laptop and PDA access to files and email from remote locations

Of course this isn't a complete list — once you have a network, you'll probably find many other uses for it. And once you get used to the benefits of a network, you'll never look at your computer the same way again.