ComplianceFinanceMarch 16, 2020
Properly used, a computer can help you to become more organized, work more efficiently, and accomplish many tasks. You'll need a variety of information in order to accurately assess the technology requirements for your small business. Perhaps you've been able to make do with using a personal computer for business tasks, but find that as your business grows you need a computer set-up to meet your business needs. Or maybe you've added employees to your business and you would like to set up a network of computers in your workplace. Your first step should be determining how you specifically intend to use a computer to aid your business. Otherwise, you may find that you've tied up excess capital in a system that does far more than you really need or, even worse, that you've acquired a system that doesn't accomplish what you expected. You will want to list which tasks you believe would be more efficiently performed if computerized. Labor-intensive tasks such as recordkeeping, computing payroll, invoicing, analyzing financial projections, writing letters, and preparing advertisements and promotional materials are prime candidates. It's a good idea to speak with other business owners to find out how they are using computers to assist their business and to leverage their time. You may also have industry specific requirements to consider. What steps should you take next?
Protect your computer system: One aspect of computerizing many of your business records and operations is that you tend to concentrate a lot of valuable information in a potentially fragile format. Therefore, you must take adequate steps to protect your data and equipment. Choosing computer softwareFor a computer to accomplish the tasks you desire, you must supply it with the proper applications software. Applications software are computer programs that instruct the computer on how to perform specific functions. You can purchase the most expensive business computer available, but it won't do much for your business if the software it's running doesn't do what you want. You can run into a similar problem if the computer you acquire isn't capable of effectively running your desired software. Accordingly, it's frequently better to determine which software applications you'll be using before you decide what computer hardware to acquire. Operating system software. The most basic kind of software is operating system software, which is a program such as one of Microsoft's Windows iterations - Vista, 7 etc. - that controls the computer's monitor, drives, printer, and other components and also controls how the components work with your applications software. Most computers come with the most up-to-date version of this software preloaded. Applications software. Apart from operating system software, the general types of applications software that you may find to be useful include:
Complete software packages. If you expect that you'll be using more than one of these programs, you may want to consider these options:
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