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With so much tech to consider, you may be wondering where to start when setting up a new office’s IT infrastructure.
Town & Country are the experts in all aspects of business technology, from phone systems to broadband. In this post, we lay out some of the most important pieces of IT equipment to install in your office.
Since the early 2000s, the Internet has become an ever more present fixture in our lives. We use it for communication, design, research, entertainment, and much, much more.
The role of the internet is just as important within the business world. Whether your staff are communicating with clients or drawing up reports, a stable internet connection is crucial for them to carry out their work.
To connect your office to the Internet, you need two devices: a modem and a router.
Although they’re often confused, there’s a distinction between the two. The modem will connect your office to the Internet, while the router creates the network inside your office.
Modem: A modem connects your office to your Internet service provider (ISP), typically through a cable connection. It takes signals from your ISP and turns them into signals your local devices (such as computers and phones) can use, and vice versa.
Router: Either wirelessly or with an Ethernet cable, a router connects to your modem and your devices. It creates a local area network (LAN) within your office, allowing your devices to communicate and share files, and manages all the information going between each device.
These two devices are integral to getting your office connected to the Internet, so they should be some of the first purchases you make when setting up your office’s IT equipment.
When it comes to working in an office, communication is key. You need to be able to talk clearly to both clients and staff to communicate ideas, organise workload, and make sure everyone is on the same page.
One of the best ways of doing this is with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones. VoIP means the voice is converted to data and transferred over the network. Where a standard PBX system uses landline telephones to host calls over the PSTN network, VoIP systems host phone calls over the Internet.
There are plenty of benefits of using VoIP over PBX:
With BT switching off analogue phone lines in 2025, VoIP really is the only way to go when it comes deciding on what office equipment you need.
Connecting your office to the Internet is well and good, but it’s not much use without computers to access it!
Depending on what your staff will be using your computers for, some models and brands will be more suitable than others.
Brand: Microsoft Windows is the classic choice – it’s incredibly robust and versatile, making it ideal for nearly all types of work. It also tends to be the most affordable option. However, some businesses prefer Apple MacBooks thanks to their ease of use and the variety of accessories available, particularly those who work in creative industries like graphic design and music production.
Desktop or laptop: Desktops are comfortable to use and are usually more powerful than laptops. They are also easier to upgrade. If your staff need to travel a lot or work on a hybrid schedule, however, laptops may be a better option.
You’ll probably find that you don’t have enough physical ports on your router to support the amount of devices in your office. Rather than buy another router, you can simply connect your current one to a network switch.
Switches are stackable and can have as many as 48 ports. This makes it easy to connect each of your computers, VoIP phones, and other devices to a single router.
When it comes to IT, the sheer amount of things to consider can be overwhelming. There seem to be an endless amount of add-ons and components your system needs to have, and it’s easy to feel lost when hearing terms like ‘LAN’ or ‘DNS’ flying about.
At Town & Country, we specialise in taking the stress out of IT with our comprehensive phone, broadband, and IT services. From protecting your data to setting up a VoIP system for your office, we will provide your business with the complete IT support it needs, all at a fantastic price.
Discuss your IT requirements with us by getting in touch online or calling us on 01202 514444. We’re happy to talk you through all our services and identify the best options for your office.
