Applications That You Will Need To Keep Business Operating Perfectly

In order to keep business running without problems, entrepreneurs should invest in business software. These also help in creating a paperless environment and in cutting down expenses. Office productivity is required by every business, which includes documents, spreadsheets, drawings, presentations and design. It also needs accounting, project management, customer relationship management, communications, and several other tools that are essential to its niche. There are two alternatives for a business owner. You could buy software license for every computer or you could go for a cloud-based business software, also called as Software as a Service or SaaS. Cloud-based business software is affordable than desktop software, while desktop software can provide more versatility and convenience in some cases.

With that mentioned, let’s get on with the kind of business software that can make every business owner’s life less difficult. Let’s start with the basic and indispensable Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel PowerPoint, etc.). You can either buy the Microsoft Office Suite or you can download Open Office (www.OpenOffice.com), an identical suite for free. Open Office makes it possible for you to work on and even save documents in the Microsoft Office format. If you are okay with working on a web-based office productivity suite, then go with Google Docs (docs.google.com), which offers similar conveniences.

Accounting software is another essential. Routine tasks like vendor invoices, billing and salaries are made simpler by accounting software. It also records sales, calculates profits or losses at the gross and net level, meets legal reporting requirements, and works as an important MIS (Management Information System) tool. By far, the most well-known accounting business software available is Quickbooks. You can basically use it or seek the advice of your accountant for other possible options.

You can work with Basecamp (basecamp.com), which is another SaaS tool, which enables you to manage projects done on a national or international scale. Basecamp is a groupware and collaborative business software that allows you to manage projects, interact with groups of employees and collaborators in real-time while managing project work. It enables you to store tasks, action items, and decisions made. It keeps everyone involved in the loop and increases productivity across different locations. Every business also needs an online storage facility that can keep all its important files safe and secure. Such online storage facilities can act as backup facilities and help managers obtain critical documents in the middle of a meeting being conducted in a faraway location. Dropbox is the most widely used online storage facility around, but you can check other options as well.

Robust protection against Internet threats is also needed, which is why you need to have antivirus, anti-hacker, anti-malware and firewall. These will help safeguard your files. You can find many all-in-one solutions offered by various companies like AVG, Norton and Zone Alarm. There may also be a requirement for a recruitment software, which will help in sharing, managing and disseminating information from the HR to manager and other concerned individuals. CRM (Customer Relationship Management) business software is another must-have. Other things that your business may need to have are database management, business intelligence, resource planning, supply chain management, internet fax and other relevant software that would be beneficial to your business’ niche. Therefore, in order for your business to be really profitable, make sure that you come up with a list of great business software and invest in it.

Finding The Best Tools For Business: A Brief Overview

Since the time of the invention of the facsimile machine in 1846 by Alexander Bain, the equipment has certainly come a long way. Called a telefax machine, it was a gadget regarded as useful as the telephone which was invented 11 years before. Long a standard in the modern office, the fax equipment has gone through a number of upgrades including thermal paper to plain paper you could buy at any office supply company, speed upgrades in the technology and decrease in overall machine size.

Just like with everything else, the fax machine was soon replaced by smaller and more efficient models, and later still was replaced by internet fax services that don’t require any machinery or paper to sent faxes.

While a lot of people still make use of the fax machines at the office, there are already many individuals who turn to online fax services that no longer require both paper and equipment, but faxes are sent or received as PDF files, and could effortlessly be stored and printed. Online services vary in quality and reliability so if you are thinking about changing over, you’ll want to do some research in order to get the best service for your money. Most services are inexpensive, but that isn’t the only thing you need to worry about.

Some things to look for when transitioning to an online service include the following:

Would you be able to send and receive faxes via email - This is crucial because you would surely like to be notified when a fax has arrived, and further than that you want to have the easiest method of accessing the fax. If a fax comes in via email, you should have a PDF attachment which is readable in different platforms.

Exclusive facsimile number offered - Just like your fax line in your office, you should be able to obtain a unique telephone number that customers and clients can use to fax to you. Where you had a dedicated fax line in your workplace, you ought to have a number that is local to your location and distinctive to your company.

Multiple email address delivery - having a fax service that offers delivery to multiple email addresses enables you to be more effective and cuts back on forwarding or mistakes being made in vital information delivery.

Free trial to try out the service - Services that offer a free trial are usually your best choice. Being able to try out the service would allow you to determine the type of extras and services that you would like. It will also allow you to ascertain if the service is right for you.

Message archival services - while fax to email services are great, only the really good ones tend to offer message archival services as part of the package. This service is necessary in case something goes wrong on the email delivery or you need to retrieve the fax again at a later date.

The mentioned options are all worth trying out but don’t forget to compare the services, and also lookup various reviews from people. One of the best signs of customer satisfaction is the length of time that the customer subscribed to the service. If most of the service’s customers have been with them for a long time, then it might just be the right online fax service for you.