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Our mission is to help businesses like yours increase productivity and get more out of the technology you invest in.
We specialize in solutions that safeguard and protect your data and keep operations running smoothly.
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Intelligent remote monitoring, proactive maintenance, and behind-the-scenes remote support.
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Protect your business from threats like malware, viruses, phishing attacks, hackers and other threads.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Ensure peace-of-mind in any situation with the most complete data backup solution available.
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Reduce infrastructure costs, collaborate, and get more done with our unique cloud solutions.
When you just want IT to work!
There are a lot of computer shops out there that you can call up to fix an issue or install a piece of equipment. They might be able to get you out of crisis mode, but they aren’t looking at the full picture.
At Decatur Computers Inc., we understand business. We consult. We provide solutions to solve everyday challenges. We just happen to fix computers as well.
We believe (and have proven) that if you proactively manage technology, run maintenance religiously, and monitor a business network, everyday issues and downtime will be greatly reduced.
This is what makes us different than your typical tech support company. Sure, we can fix computer issues when you have them, but our specialty is preventing them in the first place.
Are you looking for a partner you can trust your IT with? Sign up for a FREE IT Assessment to get started today.
IT Questions?
What Our Clients Say
This past year I have been planning my wedding, and I have a ton of spreadsheets and documents on my computer pertaining to the “big day”. I saved everything on an external hard drive just in case. One day I went to get one of the documents off of the hard drive and of course there were no documents in the file. My computer is very old so I have worried about it crashing. I have no clue where to take it to find out what went wrong. I was telling my cousin Steve Turner about it and he suggested Decatur Computers. I took it in, I was only there for about 10 minutes, they had great customer service, said that they would call me in a few days to let me know what they were able to do. I got a call that week, they not only retrieved everything on the hard drive but they also increased the speed of my computer so we were able to wait a bit longer to buy a new one. I would definitely recommend anyone to Decatur computers.
"These guys do a great job! I took my computer in to be updated and they not only did that but they got rid of all the bugs and viruses and it runs much faster. Then when I got home with the upgrade my printer wouldn’t connect. I called them up and they connected to my computer from their location and within half hour they had me back in service! It was also kind of funny watching them move the mouse and different things going on the screen while I was sitting here not moving a thing. :)"
Decatur Computers has given us excellent service in our computer needs. The staff provides professional, immediate service. A telephone call to them gets immediate help with any of the needs we have had with our current system. We are most happy to have them available, and the prices have been right!
“Decatur Computers has always provided prompt, efficient and affordable computer service at our home as well as at our place of business. We have also purchased several new computer systems from them and have been very pleased with the products they recommended for purchase. The technicians are always courteous. Any technical issues or problems we have had, they have addressed quickly to ensure that we had minimal down time if any at all. I would highly recommend Decatur Computers to anyone whether it be for residential or business services.”
“I run two small companies and have relied on Decatur Computers for over 7 years. The staff is very professional. One business runs a POS system the other data management . They are fantastic with both. There has never been a problem they cannot fix, even though both systems are very different. I would strongly recommend them to anyone for whatever they need.”
“I have worked with Decatur Computers for over 10 years. I have always had great service and fair pricing. Now that I have my own home based business I am looking forward to the continued relationship. The staff is always courteous whether it is on the phone, in shop or off site. I know that I can count on them to fix my problem or answer my question.”
With today’s technology advancing so fast it is nice to know there is a one stop shop for all technology problems. I personally have gained a lot of knowledge and had the best assistance with all my computer and software issues I have encountered. I would highly recommend Decatur Computers for anyone’s personal and business needs. As I always say ‘Why try to fix your own computer when that is what Decatur Computers does'”
Decatur computer and their staff go above and beyond to serve their customers. Mathew was very friendly and informative through the repair process. I received emails through the entire process updating me on the progress of my repair. I would highly recommend Decatur computer to anyone i know for repairs or upgrades. Thanks again to Mathew his great customer service and hard work.
Latest Blogs
I know, it probably seems like you just adopted the solutions your operations rely on - how much better could an alternative have gotten since then? How much could have changed since then?
Unfortunately, quite a bit… which is precisely why you need to strategically consider your technology maintenance. This means you will have to balance a variety of factors - like the longevity of a given solution compared to how well it serves your business’ needs - in order to make the best decision. To lend a hand, here’s a few crucial points that need to be a part of your deliberations.
As you’re planning out your upgrade strategy, there are a few considerations that you should keep in mind and prioritize based on your company’s unique situation. This should form a single principle that your upgrade strategy should follow, or it is likely that it wouldn’t successfully come to fruition.
Here, we’ve summarized three common principles that could shape your upgrade process.
If there is one thing that can be said about older IT systems, it’s that they tend to be complicated. Different technologies were integrated into a system that would generally only be focused on one or two processes. Today, things are done a little differently.
Now, systems are built to particular standards, the same languages and components being used across the board. This makes it easier to utilize APIs (application programming interfaces) so your different components interact better. On a deeper level, modern IT systems make things simpler by leveraging advanced technologies and processes, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. As a result, users can be more productive and enjoy the use of technology that suits their habits.
On a related note, modernizing an IT solution provides a lot more value at all points of business. Consider what your current technology is capable of. Are your employees able to leverage the best tools to deliver the highest value to your clients with your current solutions? Without up-to-date systems, probably not.
One major way that you can provide organizational value is by adopting automation. By eliminating some of the tasks that take up your employees’ time by having them completed automatically, you’re allowing your staff to focus their productivity on their other responsibilities. In this way, productivity can increase, thanks to the operational benefits of your IT solutions.
While it is critical that you consider your upcoming implementation from a technological standpoint, it is just as important to consider how an implementation could affect your company’s internal culture. Your staff is going to have hands-on experience with these technologies, so you need to make sure that you keep open communications about your updates so they can be prepared.
Some employees will be more ready to incorporate these changes than others will. They can be a valuable source of information to you, as they are more likely to hear concerns and observations that otherwise wouldn’t have reached you. These employees can be especially invaluable to you during this process, as you can find out where your staff is really looking for improvements.
Decatur Computers Inc. can help you to both determine what facets of your IT are most in need of an upgrade and help ensure a smooth implementation. Reach out to our professionals today by calling 217-475-0226.
To do so, we’ll start at the screen, and work our way around from there.
Unless you want to ruin your screen (and we can’t imagine why you would) you can’t just grab any old cloth and start scrubbing. Microfiber cloths are ideal for clearing dust from computer (or laptop) screens. Ideally, you will have access to microfiber, but if you’re in a pinch, almost any cloth will work… it may just leave some lint. Having said that under NO circumstances should you use paper towels or tissues.
In addition, try not to press too hard as you’re dusting your screen. You could cause some damage by applying too much pressure.
Remember, we’re working with an electronic device here - water isn’t going to get along with it too well. To protect your laptop, you will want to use distilled water. Soaking a clean sponge, and wringing it out until it’s practically dry, lightly wipe your screen. If there are still spots, you might add a small drop of gentle dish soap into your distilled water. If your device has a touchscreen, check if the soap is safe for its finish.
You have some other options as well, if you aren’t comfortable bringing water so close to your laptop. A cleaning wipe is a good option, as long as it doesn’t contain ammonia or bleach (as these can damage your screen). Whatever you do, don’t use a commercial glass cleaner on your device.
There are screen-cleaning kits made specifically for this purpose, so when in doubt, use one of those. Once your screen is cleaned, you can get rid of any streaks by gently rubbing it with a clean microfiber cloth in a circular motion.
Most of the cleanliness issue around the keyboard area pertains to debris working its way into the keys. Cleaning out your laptop’s keyboard is much like cleaning out a desktop’s keyboard: hold it upside-down and shake - although you will, of course, want to be very careful while doing this with your laptop. Tilting it slightly can help get extra junk out as well.
Whatever you can’t shake out, you can likely blow out with a can of compressed air. In order to avoid simply pushing the debris further into your device, you should apply the compressed air at a 75-degree angle.
Finally, the keys themselves. You can use a cotton swab to gently (are you seeing a pattern yet?) get the rest of the grime from them. If the grime is proving stubborn, lightly dampening the swab with rubbing alcohol can help loosen it - on top of giving your keys a nice polish!
Finally, you should get rid of any remaining grime on the rest of your laptop. Similarly to your display, you will want to create a basic cleanser. Again, don’t use bleach, ammonia, or any other store-bought cleansers (unless these cleansers are designed to clean electronics).
For this cleanser, use equal parts rubbing alcohol and distilled water. You will want to make sure that none of this gets on the screen, as the rubbing alcohol can damage it. Barely dampening a sponge - it shouldn’t drip - in your solution, gently clean your laptop’s exterior and (if you so choose) the touchpad. Avoid the ports - we’re taking care of them next, and it would be a shame to damage the device at this point.
The rest of the crevices around the device, including the ports, should be gently cleaned with cotton swabs and compressed air. Once this has been done to your satisfaction, give your entire device another once-over with a microfiber cloth, and your device will be clean!
Once this process is completed, your laptop will be considerably cleaner. This means you’ll probably feel a little better about being productive with it! For more tips regarding your technology and how to best use it, subscribe to our blog!
The GDPR (In a Nutshell)
Long story short, on May 25th, 2018, any companies that collect data on European Union residents are responsible for protecting that data. This means that GDPR regulations give EU residents an incredible amount of power over those who access and control the data that organizations collect.
How Have U.S. Citizens Reacted?
A new poll shows that data privacy in the U.S. has become increasingly more important; 73 percent of respondents claimed that it has become a bigger priority, while 64 percent believe that their data security was worse than it had been in the past. 80 percent want a way to determine who has purchased their data, while 83 percent want the ability to veto any organization’s ability to sell the data to others. 64 percent found that they would like the ability to delete this data.
How Has the Government Reacted?
Government agencies have reacted in different ways. One example is the state of California, which has passed the Consumer Privacy Act, which calls for a singular piece of legislation at the federal level that can protect the data of citizens. For the most part, data privacy is addressed through a combination of state laws and potential federal laws.
One of these laws is the Data Care Act, which alerts end users to security breaches while also stating that a service provider cannot legally share a user’s data without the receiving party being beholden to the same confidential standards. Others include the Information Transparency and Personal Data Control Act, which demands transparency and personal control over data, the Consumer Data Protection Act, which could place executives abusing data in prison, and the American Data Dissemination Act, which places a deadline for the government to place privacy requirements on businesses.
Unfortunately, when the Consumer Protection and Commerce subcommittee met to discuss the possibility of a federal privacy law, there were no representatives for the average consumer--despite the fact that it has been agreed to on numerous instances that such protections are needed. Rather than invite the people the laws are actually designed to protect, lawmakers instead invited technology companies.
Small Business Concerns
Keeping all this in mind, it’s natural that there is a significant lack of support for regulations on the same level as GDPR, particularly out of fear that small businesses would not be able to afford the added costs of compliance with such a law. Here are some of the reasons why such a law could become devastating for small and medium-sized businesses:
What are your thoughts on data privacy laws and the world’s response to them? Let us know in the comments.
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The capabilities of business technology are truly incredible, and they’re only becoming more impressive. This means that the solutions you have in place now will certainly need to be upgraded to other options at some point.
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