I'm helping some pals relocate their small business and need some info.
The new building is bare so cabling will be done from scratch.
They plan to buy all new computer gear (subject to costs!)

They have 3 staff, and want to set it up so that 4 desktop computers can share files and printers, access the internet, etc. It would also be good if the Directors laptops can plug in/connect via wi-fi when they visit.

For such a small network, is a server really needed? What does a server actually do?
Will a print-server be necessary, or just buy printers with network cards?
Would a scanner also connect on a network?

What about data security - would Norton be good in this environment, or should they just have a single PC connected to the outside world? How would they transfer data from this to the others?

Anything else i should be aware of? (eg connecting the phone system to the computers, either for Skype or for for answering services)