Save by growing your own trainers: when companies can build a cadre of internal experts, they can reduce their dependency on outside consultants and, ultimately, lower their training costs

Workforce, Sept, 2002 by Michael Welber

* Printer Job Administration: If a problematic print job inadvertently goes to an expensive-to-operate printer, such as a check printer or color laser printer, know how to rapidly locate and delete the job from the queue. Also, consider using network permissions to restrict printer access.

* Rebooting the Server: Know how to properly reboot your server(s). Check for open files, manually stop key services to speed up the reboot, and shut down/power cycle the server.

* Tape-Backnp Management: Although backup systems are generally reliable, they do malfunction occasionally. Besides monitoring the tape-backup log and rebooting the server to un-jam a stuck tape, know how to restore a file. File restoration is also a great way to test whether the backup system is working as well as you think it is. Also, learn how to launch a manual, off-schedule backup job.

Joshua Feinberg (joshua@smallbiztechtalk.com) is a small-business technology expert, speaker, trainer, coach, and columnist. His latest book, What Your Computer Consultant Doesn't Want You to Know (Small Biz Tech Talk Press, $19.99), exposes 101 money-saving secrets of expensive techies. To read a free excerpt or order the book dial (866) 832-4397 or visit http://www.smallbiztechtalk.com.

Michael Welber is a freelance writer who lives in Marathon, in the Florida Keys. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.