Business partners Jamie and Ryan Van Gordon offer customers on-site technical assistance and repair. They specialize in computer sales, repair, upgrading, installation and setup, Internet and network installation and repair and tutoring. Submitted photo

Computers can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

Simple problems often can be fixed by restarting the machine, thumbing through a manual or asking a friend for help. Other times, professional help is needed.

HelperTek, a family owned and operated information technology business, serves the entire county and beyond, from medium and large businesses to individual customers. Owners Ryan and Jamie Van Gordon offer on-site technical assistance and repair 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

The couple charge no travel fees for house calls within a 30-mile radius and also serve clients from their home-based office.

Ryan specializes in the technical repair and Jamie devotes her time and energy to digital conversion and bookwork. Ryan has an extensive background with computers and spent two years with Microsoft as a certification systems engineer. Later, he moved on to work for the Port Angeles Police Department before further pursuing his education and starting his own business.

Now, even on his days off, Ryan spends his spare time researching the latest trends in computers and technology.

"I enjoy this and I'm always digging in," he said.

HelperTek offers a variety of home and business services, including computer sales and repair, Internet installation and optimization, photo scanning and imaging, remote assistance, tutoring, web page creation and design, security and surveillance.

When he makes house calls, Ryan carries only a small backpack but has all the tools he needs to make minor and major repairs. Customers are charged the same hourly rate regardless of whether the work is performed in the "shop" or on site.

After-hours consultations are available.

Much of Ryan's time is spent hosting, creating, populating and maintaining web pages and e-mail. He also dedicates a lot of energy toward helping customers create custom computers to meet their specific needs.

A long day at the office for Jamie usually means 8-12 hours straight of scanning hard copies of photographs onto discs, which saves space, organizes precious memories and creates lasting keepsakes that don't deteriorate with time.

Tutoring sessions are available for individuals and groups who want to become more familiar with the tech field in general or with a certain type of software.

Surveillance systems are available that allow people to view their home and/or business from anywhere in the world using a solid Internet connection.

Upon request, a motion detector will send a text or e-mail to alert the subscriber of an intruder. The system snaps and displays a photo of what triggered the alarm and lets the home or business owner decide whether to call the police.

"The technology field is endless,â" Ryan said. "I guarantee there are a lot of really cool things that could make your life easier that you've never even heard about."

The company's website offers helpful hints, such as the best ways to back up data, what to do when your computer has a virus and why always to choose the "custom installation" option.

Another section of the site has free software, including virus protection. Ryan said he recommends Malwarebytes and Avira Antivirus when it comes to protection.

"Those two in conjunction with each other prove to be very successful,â" he advised. "And best of all, they're both free."

Box Copy: Living in a digital world

HelperTek: on-site technical assistance and repair

Owners: Ryan and Jamie Van Gordon

Contact: www.helpertek.com; phone 360-775-2525; e-mail helpdesk@helpertek.com

Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday (and after hours by appointment)

Home and business services include:

Computer

• Sales
• Repair
• Upgrading
• Installation and setup
• Cleanup
• Data recovery
• Virus/spyware removal
• Password recovery/reset

Remote assistance/repair

IP camera systems

Special needs accommodations

Internet and Network
• Installation and setup
• Repair and optimization

Scanning and imaging

• Photo scanning

Tutoring

• Software and applications
• Hardware and peripherals

Security and Surveillance
• Alarm systems

Web page
• Creation and design
• Graphic design
• Hosting services

For a full list of services and details, go online to www.helpertek.com.