Computers

3 Vital Links for your business as you think about a computer purchase

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At some point your business will begin to generate orders, and you and your sales, customer service, and accounting personnel will need to be able to track each order. There needs to be an inseparable link between 3 documents: your sales order (and its unique sales order number), your invoice (and its unique invoice number), and your packing list (and its unique pack list number). When you invest in a computer system and software for your business this is an absolute necessity!

The sales order must have a unique number so that sales and customer service personnel can track the customers order-by their purchase order through your computer system. This is very important in manufacturing type environments where orders can go on a variety of different holds. The computer system that you purchase should be able to accommodate items line item identification numbers or part numbers. The customers purchase order should be double verified for accuracy and prominently displayed on every document. There should also be a free form field for plant codes or blanket order release numbers.

All of the sales order information (including the sales order number) needs to automatically populate into the invoice. Information such as the pack list number also needs to be generated through the computer system and linked to the invoice and backwards into the sales order. Invoices need to be automatically generated overnight and mailed or electronically sent the next morning after shipment.

The pack list is a very vital document as most large companies are now paying from the pack list by the pack list number. This is the number that is most often showing on the customers check advice of remittance and the only way for your internal accounting department to determine how funds are to be applied when you receive a check from your customer.

Follow these ideas when your company is planning a computer system purchase and you will save many hours of aggravating mental labor.

Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

Carbonite Launches Carbonite Pro for SMBs

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Carbonite has launched an online data backup service, aimed specifically at small and medium businesses. Carbonite Pro allows your SMB to back up-data automatically but without the per-PC fees other businesses charge. It’s compatible with external hard drives, priority support, and according to the company, “any office manager” can use the administrative tools.

The dashboard at the heart of Carbonite Pro makes system management super easy. There, you can see important information, including the back-up status of every computer in your office, how much data is backed up and which computers are not backed up. It’s also easy to install. An automatic invitation feature allows you to invite which users you want to join and they can click through email instructions to install. You can choose to back-up your files automatically or manually. If you do find yourself in a situation that causes lost or damage files, the Restore Wizard will guide you, step-by-step through the recovery process. And you won’t lose time as you do it because your computer is still usable in the meantime.

Add as many computers as you want or need to your account. You’ll receive access to unlimited phone, email, and chat tech support. Also, the program will not slow down your computer or internet connection.

You don’t have to be a security or encryption expert to use it either. Just like online banking, Carbonite encrypts your files before they are copied to their servers and transmitted over encrypted lines. This means that while being stored at the company’s data centers, no one can view them. Using an online server is much safer than using external hard drives or tapes because there are no gaps that leave your data vulnerable, it can’t be damaged or lost, and you can’t lose data due to human error.

Carbonite is currently offering a free one-month trial at their website, http://www.carbonitepro.com/. Simply sign up for a free account and start inviting your employees. If you like it, enter your payment information and your service will continue, without interruption, with monthly billing. How much you pay will depend simply on how many GB of storage you need, ranging from $10 a month for up to 20 GB to $250 a month for 300-499 GB of data.

Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

10 Ways to Make Your SMB "Green"

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10 Ways to Make Your SMB

1. Adjust the AC. Once you’ve adjusted your office temperature to where you want it, turn it back a couple of degrees. Two-three degrees won’t really make a whole lot of difference and will definitely save your company money in the long run.

2. Check your light bulbs. When it’s time to change the light bulbs, it’s recommended you opt for more energy-friendly ones. They may cost slightly more but in the long run, they’ll save you money as they last up to ten times longer and work just as well.

3. Choose furniture wisely. Invest in furniture that’s going to last and won’t have to be changed every time you redecorate or get new technology. Good heavy duty, neutral furniture is yet another money safe.

4. Turn Your Computer Off. Lots of people leave their computers on over night and let them go into standby mode. This means your computer is using as almost much power as it did when you were using it throughout the day. Turn it off and better yet unplug it. Do the same for printers, copiers, and monitors, too.

5. Don’t over-light. If you have large windows in your office, take advantage of sunny days. Forego large overhead lighting for practically placed lamps. Don’t leave your office in the dark, but there’s not need for your lights to be so bright they’re blinding.

6. Look for the energy star. Most appliances have an energy-efficiency ratings these days. Always ask about that when purchasing new equipment. Some computers even turn themselves off after certain bouts of inactivity. Laptops are also cheaper to use as they can consume up to 90% less power than desktops.

7. Turn the lights out when you go. Make it a habit to turn the lights out whenever you leave a room, especially if you’re going to be gone for a while. No sense in wasting electricity and it really does make a difference on your power bill!

8. Motion Detectors. Another way to save money and not waste electricity is to install motion detector lights that turn on when someone enters a room and goes off when the room is free of motion for a certain period of time. These are great for bathrooms!

9. Control your outside lighting. If you have signs or lights outdoors that you forget to turn off or that run for long periods of time, have a time installed so that outdoor light doesn’t stay on on a 80 degree sunny day.

10. Find other ways to keep your office cool. Have a fan installed or make sure you have blinds or screens over your windows. These can knock a room temperature down several degrees and keep you from blasting the AC before you need to.

Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.