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Starting a new small business comes with its stresses. We get it, we were there once too. At a time that should be exciting, you have a lot to think about. Supplying your new office with essentials tools and equipment is one of those tasks that is necessary to get your business of the ground and comes at a cost. And when you’re investing a considerable amount of your budget in your new office equipment, it’s important you get exactly what you need — a daunting task in itself. So, how do you know what you need and how much you need to spend? Lucky for you, we’re experts when it comes to office automation and we want to help make the launch of your business stress-free (at least when it comes to your devices).
One machine can do it all
Before you go off an buy a new powerful fax machine, copier and scanner, think about a few things. First, cost: Can you really afford 3 or 4 different machines? Second, office space: Do you have room for all that equipment? We’re going to guess the answer to both those questions is “No.” Good news, you don’t need separate machines for each task anyway.
Multifunctional printers are the way to go when it comes to necessary office machines in 2014. It has multiple functions, if you didn’t get that from the name. Your printer can now copy and scan, and in some instances it is also capable of fax (although, this is often an expensive add-on that you may not find necessary, and we get that!) These printers are generally ideal for the small business owner, the home office and the freelancer with a hot desk. There are lots of options out there and we know there is the perfect machine out there for your office needs.
Lease or buy?
When you’re setting up a brand new office for your small business, we get the appeal of owning something shiny and new, we really do. There is a common misconception in the industry that owning is the way to go, but the reality is that most of our customers lease their equipment. You will meet some dealers who would rather go for the upfront sale, but to be completely honest, when it comes down to it, a good device will outlive your lease term and there’s value in that for us when all is said and done. If you are talk to a provider who is reluctant to lease, consider their motivation. What is the true longevity of the device?
When you decide to lease your office equipment, you have use of the equipment for an agreed-upon time frame for a monthly payment. You are able to negotiate your lease term to accommodate your payment and equipment needs without a large cost upfront.
And with a new business, you need to monitor your spending when you are getting yourself off the ground. Having the ability to predict expenses feels great. With a lease, you won’t have unforeseen costs cutting into your monthly operating budget. Bundle your costs to include acquisition, setup, installation, training, hardware, software and service and support and you won’t have any surprises. If your multifunctional printer malfunctions, no problem, you are already paying for the service necessary to get you up and running again in no time.
What do you really need?
Every office has different needs, so no matter how many small business owners you talk to and how much Googling you do, you won’t find anyone in the exact same situation as you. So before you start shopping make a list of what you think you need and what you want. Obviously, there is going to have to be some research and conversation with people about what they are using, but remember, you are your own business. Your best bet is to talk to an expert who can assess your needs, talk to you about what you want and determine what works best for you. The right dealer will give you an honest education to help get your going.
