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.
Premium IT Services
Intelligent remote monitoring, proactive maintenance, and behind-the-scenes remote support.
Network Security
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.
Cloud Hosting Solutions
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.
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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'”
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This trick lies in your computer having the Windows 10 Creators Update installed, which lets you connect your phone to your PC through Bluetooth. This helps your PC automatically lock itself when the two are separated. Thanks to a piconet, a type of short-range radio wave network that keeps Bluetooth devices working properly, this security measure is possible. Of course, the strength of the piconet will determine how far from your PC the device can be before the computer locks.
This Creators Update can help you create a piconet between your desktop and phone, which keeps Dynamic Lock from activating. If you remove the phone from the piconet’s range, Dynamic Lock will lock your computer to keep unauthorized users from using it.
Just keep in mind that Dynamic Lock is far from instantaneous. The device needs to be out of range, and the computer needs time to register that the connection has been severed. Only then will Dynamic Lock activate. Keeping this in mind, it’s still more secure to implement Dynamic Lock than leaving your computer unlocked all the time.
How to Set Up Dynamic Lock
To pair your phone to your PC, you want to confirm with your IT department that it won’t be an issue. Just reach out to them before following this procedure.
First, enable Bluetooth on your mobile device that you want to pair with your PC. Open Settings and access Bluetooth & Other Devices. Next, click Add Bluetooth or Other Device, which will prompt the Add a device box.
Once you’ve done this, select Bluetooth. Windows may take a moment to find your device, but once it does, it will prompt you to confirm a code that displays on both of your devices. Once you’ve done so and click Done, you’ll be brought back to the Bluetooth & Other Devices page in your Settings, where you can see your connected device.
Select Home and navigate to Accounts, where you’ll want to select Sign-In Options. You’ll find Dynamic Lock, where you check the box called Allow Windows to Detect When You’re Away and Automatically Lock the Device. Restart your PC to make sure the settings have been changed, and you’ll be all set. The only thing left to do is try it out!
For more great tips and tricks, be sure to subscribe to Decatur Computers Inc.’s blog.
Having a “it won’t happen to me” mentality will only make it hurt even more in the event that your business does suffer data loss. Many problems can result in data loss; hardware failures, end-user errors, surges and lightning, fires, and floods, can all leave you stranded. Here are three indicators that you know you need a proper data backup system.
You Regularly Use Contact Information and Other Data
Data that’s crucial for operations is of the utmost importance for your business. If you happen to lose it due to a disaster or a user error, you’re out of luck if you don’t have some sort of data backup system implemented. If your line of work depends on this data, you need to do everything in your power to protect it from any circumstances that could lead to its destruction or loss.
You Need to Access Historical Files and/or Records
Depending on your industry and the regulations that come with it, you might be required to keep a backup of your data. There may be other requirements as well, such as keeping your data off site or encrypted.
Your Employees Need It
Nobody is perfect. Even your most seasoned sales person might accidentally save over the only copy of your sales proposal template. Being able to quickly pull a single file or folder from a backup will save a lot of time and frustration. It’s also important to have a backup for your business if you want to ensure your employees’ retention. 60 percent of businesses that suffer a major data loss event file for bankruptcy within 6 months.
You Frequently Experience IT Troubles
If your technology isn’t the most reliable equipment out there, you should consider implementing a full data backup and disaster recovery solution. Hardware failure is a common reason why organizations lose data, simply because it seems to come out of nowhere. There are warning signs, though, if you know where to look. If your hardware starts to make strange noises, experiences operational inefficiencies, and is generally more trouble than it’s worth, data backup is critical.
You Don’t Have One At All!
To not be using some type of backup system is, in a word, risky. Ultimately, having a data backup and disaster recovery solution is a great preventative measure to take advantage of in a perilous and unpredictable technology field. Even something as simple as an onsite backup solution is better than not having one at all. However, you’ll want only the best solution for your business’s needs, so we recommend taking full advantage of our cloud-based Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution.
Could your business use a hand with implementing data backup and disaster recovery? If so, reach out to Decatur Computers Inc. at 217-475-0226.
Software as a Service is a great way to keep your business’s software dealings as painless as possible. By adopting such a model, you can avoid the high initial costs of software solutions, which can allow you to invest in other ventures that might otherwise be impossible. Just consider how much it costs to purchase multiple software licenses at any given time. Software as a Service is meant to provide your business a better way to manage multiple software licenses without any of the unfortunate side-effects. You might be surprised by the number of opportunities it provides.
Consider how often you have to upgrade your software licenses during your business technology’s tenure on its infrastructure. When your older applications grow outdated or unsupported, they become a hindrance to productivity and security. Therefore, your only real option is to purchase licenses for new software, a cost which is practically unavoidable in the traditional sense. Remember, it’s only a matter of time before you have to replace even the best software solution.
Software as a Service allows your business to pay a flat monthly rate per user rather than go all-in on licenses for multiple copies of the software. Think of it like this; you’re paying for access to full versions of software, rather than actually owning it yourself. It’s kind of like renting it. For example, the convenience and affordability of renting an apartment that you aren’t responsible for maintaining, rather than taking care of a full-blown home, is definitely something to consider when looking for housing.
There is no real reason not to consider Software as a Service for your organization--especially if you’re outsourcing it to a managed service provider. Since SaaS allows each of your employees access to important applications through the cloud, you’ll save both time and resources that are better spent elsewhere. You won’t have to install the latest versions of each required application on each workstation, which is invaluable in and of itself. Furthermore, it’s much easier to update cloud-hosted applications, as you apply the updates and patches in one place rather than several--although this likely won’t be a problem, as your SaaS provider will likely handle this responsibility for you.
Some examples of a cloud-hosted Software as a Service solution include a hosted email like Microsoft Outlook or other enterprise-level email solutions, or productivity suites like Google’s G-Suite or Microsoft OneDrive. Overall, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a reason not to implement SaaS. To learn more, reach out to us at 217-475-0226.
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