Network documentation is exactly what it sounds like: the practice of maintaining detailed technical records about the assets you own (computers, devices, software, directory structure, user profiles, passwords, etc.) and how your network is set up, backed up and secured. Every IT company should provide this to you in both written (paper) and electronic form at no additional cost and update it on a quarterly basis.
Why is this important? There are several reasons:
First, it shows professionalism and integrity in protecting YOU. No IT person or company should be the only holder of the keys to the kingdom. Because we document your network assets and passwords, you have a blueprint you can give to another IT person or company to take over if necessary.
Second, good documentation allows the engineers working on your account to resolve problems faster because they don’t waste time fumbling their way around your network trying to find things and uncover accounts, hardware, software licenses, etc. Third, if you had to restore your network after a disaster, you’d have the blueprint to quickly put things back in place as they were.
Finally, and most important, if you ever need to switch IT providers, your replacement company will be able to take over quickly because the network has been documented properly.
All our clients receive this in written and electronic form at no additional cost. We also perform a quarterly update on this material and make sure certain key people from your organization have this information and know how to use it, giving you complete control over your network.
Side note: You should NEVER allow an IT person to have that much control over you and your company. If you get the sneaking suspicion that your current IT person is keeping this under their control as a means of job security, get rid of them (and we can help to make sure you don’t suffer ANY ill effects). This is downright unethical and dangerous to your organization, so don’t tolerate it!
