I've been sorting out network problems for a long time. Dropped connections, dead spots, devices that won't talk to each other, speeds that don't match what you're paying for — these things have causes, and those causes have fixes. The diagnosis is usually faster than people expect.

I start with what's actually there. Your router, modem, access points, cabling, whatever your ISP is providing. I work from the ground up rather than guessing. Dead spots get addressed. Interference gets dealt with. If QoS settings need adjusting to stop your video calls from stuttering every time someone opens a large file, that gets done too.

Where it makes sense, I'll set up a guest network to keep visitors off your business traffic, or wire in workstations that need a reliable connection rather than relying on WiFi. If you've got a mix of computers, printers, NAS drives and other devices that aren't playing nicely together, I'll sort that out as well.

Most of this can be handled remotely. If something needs hands on it, I'm available throughout Metro Vancouver. Either way, you'll know exactly what was wrong and what was done about it.

I've seen what happens when a hard drive fails and there's no backup. It's not a pretty situation, and in most cases it was entirely avoidable. Getting a proper backup system in place is one of the most straightforward things I can do for a client, and one of the most worthwhile.

The approach I use follows the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one stored offsite or in the cloud. Hardware failure, theft, fire, ransomware — the works. It runs automatically, so you don't have to remember to do anything.

For local backups I'll set up a NAS or external drive with versioning enabled, so you can go back to an earlier version of a file if you need to — not just the most recent one. For offsite I work with Backblaze, Microsoft Azure Backup, and Google Drive depending on what fits your setup. Everything is encrypted.

If you've already lost something, call me before you do anything else. Recovery is sometimes possible even when it looks hopeless, and the wrong move early on can close that window permanently.

Pure cloud storage is convenient right up until your internet goes down, or you need to move a large file quickly. Pure local storage is fast right up until something happens to your office. A hybrid setup gives you the best of both, and for a small office it's not a complicated thing to get right.

The usual approach is a NAS on your local network for fast everyday access, syncing automatically to the cloud in the background. Your files are available from anywhere, and nothing is lost if a local device dies. It's the kind of setup I'd put in place for myself.

I work with OneDrive for Business, Google Drive, Dropbox Business, and Synology systems. I'll configure what goes where, set permissions so people see what they should and nothing they shouldn't, and keep storage costs from sneaking up on you.

For clients handling personal information I'll also make sure the setup respects your obligations under Canadian privacy law — PIPEDA. This comes up more often than most small businesses expect, usually at an inconvenient time.

At OceanWorks I administered up to 17 servers — file, exchange, domain controllers, anti-virus, anti-spam, SQL, print, FTP — along with the full network including SonicWall appliances, HP ProCurve switches, and WAN connections to offices in Houston, San Diego, and Rochester. I mention this not to impress but to give you a sense of what I'm comfortable with. A small office server is not a problem.

I handle setup, OS configuration for both Windows Server and Linux environments, Active Directory, Group Policy, user account management, file share permissions, and ongoing maintenance. If you're thinking about moving away from physical hardware to a cloud-hosted server, I can manage that migration without disrupting your day-to-day.

Microsoft 365 is where most small offices end up for email and productivity, and I've deployed it more times than I can count — including migrating entire organizations from on-premise Exchange. I'll get you set up with a proper domain email address, configure Exchange Online, put sensible spam filtering in place, and make sure phishing attempts have a harder time getting through.

If you want to get more out of Teams, SharePoint, or OneDrive while you're at it, I can walk you through those too. Most people are paying for a lot more than they're using.

Over the course of my career I've acquired, configured, and repaired many hundreds of devices. I have lifted my share of computer equipment. At this point I've seen most of what can go wrong, and I know the difference between a repair that makes sense economically and one that doesn't. I'll always tell you which is which.

On the hardware side: failed drives and SSDs, bad RAM, power supply issues, overheating systems, broken screens, keyboards, ports, and charging connectors. Parts are sourced to a reasonable standard — not the cheapest available, not unnecessarily expensive.

For software the list is longer. Slow machines, OS errors, blue screens, failed updates, corrupted system files, application conflicts, malware damage, clean reinstalls when nothing else will do it. Your data gets backed up before I start anything that could affect it.

I also do preventative maintenance for clients who'd rather not wait for something to break. Cleaning out the dust, checking drive health, removing software that's quietly slowing things down, updating what needs updating. For offices with several machines, I can schedule regular visits to keep the whole fleet in reasonable shape.

The idea that ransomware and spyware are problems for large organizations hasn't been true for a while. Small and home offices are attractive targets precisely because the defenses are usually thin and the owner is usually too busy to notice until something goes wrong. I've cleaned up enough infected machines to be confident that prevention costs a lot less than recovery.

When something is already wrong, the first step is containment. I'll scan thoroughly, quarantine what needs to be quarantined, and clean the system completely. If ransomware has encrypted files, I'll assess what options exist — including backup restoration and known decryption tools — before drawing any conclusions.

For prevention I deploy endpoint protection that goes well beyond basic antivirus. Behavioral analysis, real-time monitoring, automatic patching. The kind of setup that catches things before they become a problem rather than after you've noticed something is off.

The human side matters as much as the software. Most successful attacks start with a phishing email that got clicked, or a password that was too easy. I can walk you through what to watch for and how to set up multi-factor authentication properly. For clients who want something more formal, I can do a full security audit and give you a written report with prioritized recommendations.

I've been configuring and supporting cell phones since before most people considered them work devices. The category has changed considerably. Today a phone is often the primary device for email, calendar, file access, and video calls — and it needs to be treated accordingly, not just left to factory defaults.

For new devices I handle the full setup: business email, VPN for secure access outside the office, the apps you actually need, WiFi and printer connectivity. For transitions between devices I manage the migration so contacts, calendars, and files come across cleanly — not scattered across three accounts with half the data missing.

Security gets more attention here than most people expect. Device encryption, screen lock policies, remote wipe capability so a lost or stolen phone can be cleared of sensitive data, location tracking. For offices with multiple devices, I can implement MDM — Mobile Device Management — which gives you centralized control over all of them from one place.

For troubleshooting I cover the usual: email sync problems, apps that won't behave, connectivity issues, storage that's full, batteries that aren't lasting. iOS and Android both. If it's used for work, I can help with it.