Your internet connection is your link to the world. You rely on it to transmit tax returns, receive acknowledgements, email clients copies of their returns, and access online services needed to run your business. If your internet connection is not fast enough or reliable enough to support these office activities, your business could suffer.
There are a number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) looking for your business. However, depending on where you live, there may only be a few to choose from. Each will have their own strengths, weaknesses, and methods of delivering an internet connection to your office. Picking the right one will make a big difference.
Wireless vs. land based service providers
Wireless ISPs and land based ISPs can differ in reliability, quality, and security:
Wireless service providers deliver your internet service over a radio connection. The connection may be through a cellular connection (Wi-Fi hotspot), a satellite dish, or possibly a small dish mounted to your office that is pointed at a radio tower. Wireless service is usually provided by a cellular phone company or a satellite internet company.
Wireless ISPs
- Connect via radio signal, which can cause frequent interference
- Are more likely to drop connection due to interference
- Increase the risk of someone recording your information
Land based service providers deliver service through some type of cable. The connection may be a phone line, a TV cable, or a fiber optic cable. Land based service is usually provided by a phone company or a cable TV company.
Land based ISPs
- Provide more a more reliable and higher quality internet connection
- Have little chance of interference since the connection is via cable
- Reduce the security risk of having your information recorded
A popular internet service method is Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). Internet service is delivered to your business over your existing telephone line. DSL technology has a distance limitation. The maximum range for a DSL connection without a repeater is 18,000 feet or 3.4 miles. Also, as the distance of the connection increases, the maximum speed of the connection drops. This most often is a problem when your office is in a more rural than suburban area.
What about speed?
You can usually contract with your ISP for different download and upload speeds. For the best experience with TaxSlayer Pro, we recommend a minimum download speed of 4 Mb/s (megabits per second) and a minimum upload speed of 1 Mb/s. It is wise to purchase the fastest service that you can afford.
Both wireless and land based service providers can usually provide our minimum recommended speeds.
Wireless or Land based?
TaxSlayer Pro recommends you use a land based service provider for internet service in your office. A high speed, land based connection will help ensure the most reliable and secure connection to the web. Additionally, we highly recommend keeping your operating system up to date with the most recent released updates and running anti-virus software to keep your business data secure while connected to the internet.
Questions about what is best for you? Our technical support team can be reached at 706-868-0985 and is here to assist you in optimizing your office computer system.
