Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

In starting my business, I am often searching for the best products to set up my office.  For instance, I want a phone system that has multiple handsets and an answering system, but has the option to be quieted by a "ringer off" button so that it is quiet in case I get a call in the middle of the evening on my business line (My home office is in my bedroom).  I often find myself overbuying too much functionality that I will never use.  If we can keep this thread to just your favorite product suggestions, not services (so everyone isn`t chiming in with their own company`s promotion) that would be great.  Thanks.

-------------------------

Stay tuned...coming soon

As far as software goes, Microsoft has an excellent new accounting software called Small Business Accounting 2006. It is priced anywhere between $50 and $90 depending on where you buy it from. Probably cheapest on the web. It has the robust functionality of the BIG BOY accounting software but the ease of use and familiarity of Microsoft`s Office products. I would recommend it to any start up or home based business. You can also download a trial copy of it for free from the microsoft website. Just search on the MS website for Small Business Accounting 2006. Hope that helps. Best Wishes!

Thanks for your help Ken.  I`m going to evaluate the trial version of Small Business Accounting 2006 as well as some others.  I did see one review that stated the invoice function was able to be changed aesthetically, but you couldn`t customize it.  I wish there was a place to be able to state your needs for your business (i.e. bill by project not by hour, service business, need customer contact management capability, no employees, etc.) and it would recommend the best package for the functionality you need whether it was Microsoft, Quick Books, Quiken, Peachtree or other.  As it is, I have to evaluate each one of these individually to see what best fits my needs.  Does anyone know of a website where I can have my needs matched with the best software candidate?

-------------------------

Stay tuned...coming soon

Hi and welcome to the Forums.

As far as fax service goes, if you simply need to receive fax`s ... (like I do) then I recommend PFax ... $3.95 / month for unlimited receives...

.http://www.packetel.com/Fax/faxServiceMain.asp

The fax comes in via email ... as a tif file. Simply open the file ... read the fax ... and save it to your computer ... or print it out. This way you can receive fax`s all over the world.

And there is never a busy signal on your fax machine, if folks are trying to fax to at the same time.

 

 

As far as a fax / printer, if you are limited on funds and just have one or two people in the office the best way to go is with a multifunstion system (printer, fax, scanner and copier all-in-one) This will run anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the bells& whistles you want. The important thing is you want to go with a laser machine and not inkjet. The cost/page is much lower and when a laser breks the parts are readiliy available. If you have to have color get a seperate inkjet printer or splurge and get a multifunction Color Laser. However the downside to an all-in-one system is that if it`s down for repairs you don`t have a printer,copier or fax to work with.

Let me know if I can be of help

 

 

-------------------------

Save Money on your Business Checks. Get a free quote

 
This might be an option to consider:

I just set up a virtual phone system for TechShop (www.techshop.ws) at a service called RingCentral.com.

The plan I got is $14.95 a month and includes a real 800 number, with 100 minutes of incoming calls.  It also allows you to set up a "hunt list" so I put in my cell phone number and my partner`s phone number, so when peo;le call in, the service says "Thank you for calling TechShop.  Please wait while we connect your call..." then it rings my phone, if I don`t answer in 3 rings it rings my partner`s phone, and if he doesn`t answer, the call goes to voice mail and the voice mail recording gets emailed to me and my partner.  it is just right for a startup!  And plus we get a real 800 number for cheap!

The other thing that is cool is you can tell the service to display your 800 number on the caller ID when a call comes to you, insytead of displaying the caller`s phone number.  I set up my phone so it displays "INCOMING TECHSHOP CALL" on the display so I can answer "Thank you for calling TechShop, this is Jim, can I help you?" but if a client from my other business calls my cell phone directly, I can answer normally.

I don`t work for RingCentral.com!
 

I have to say the single best thing to happen to both my business and my home in the past year has been Vonage.  Talk about saving dough and loading up on features at the same time.  You can set the phone to ring your main line first, foward your calls to a cell phone, or ring as many numbers as you want at the same time.  No long distance or extra charges for using features such as call forwarding.  It includes voicemail that can be checked both over a phone or over the web.  They do offer 800 number service but I do not have it so I don`t know anything about it.  I will never go back to the traditional landline, Vonage is just too good.

Hello BizAtTheBeach,

   For my Home Business I purchased a phone system that uses "sattelite" handsets that are wireless, just plug in the base.  The system I purchased is Uniden`s PowerMAX and I subscribe to Qwest (www.Qwest.com) for my voicemaill and long distance, but any company should work.  So all you need is one phone plug in the wall for the main unit and once any sattelite units are "recognised" by the main unit you can place one in your bedroom or kitchen, etc.

    I have the main unit and 3 sattelite units and the PowerMAX allows you to turn individual handset ringing off or select a unique ring for family/friends.  The main unit has a wireless handset too but the base unit also has the ability for dialing. 

    I hope this helps.

Ron

-------------------------

ReThink Solar Energy!
Get Your No-Up Front Cost Solar and help reverse greenhouse gases and global warming. Lock in Today`s electrical rate for up to 25 years.
Get Paid To Drive Your Car...
wear T-shirts, and more! Earn money effortlessly while you go about your day!

Hi I think you can get good office products at www.quotationjunction.com . Quotation Junction helps buyers get quotations from the qualified suppliers.

I found this interesting!!

Good Luck

Developing a small business is not an easy task specially when trying stretch your dollars and choosing the right tools. I chose 101voicemail  for my phone answering needs because i`m not always available to answer the phone. Even small business owners like ushave a life outside of their business. 101voicemail saves you money by eliminating the need for staff, expensive equipment and maintenance. They give a free Toll free number and have a flat rate of $8.50 /month.