Tag Archives: BuyerZone.com Inc.

About 4554 days ago Computer Security

Should we invest in voice recognition software?

Offices & Operations mentor Mie-Yun Lee responds to the following question from an inc.com user: Should we invest in voice recognition software, or will it be a flash in the pan? What should I look for? Mie-Yun Lee’s response:Had you asked me this a few years ago, I would have said to forget it. But voice recognition software has improved greatly since its inception. It is still not perfectly accurate, though. At this point, I think your best bet may be to hang onto your keyboard. Voice recognition software may be good for limited dictation, such as composing e-mails and data entry, but, in my opinion, trying to dictate something long can prove trying. If you decide to purchase voice recognition software, you have a variety of packages to choose from. You can get a software package that will allow you to maneuver around your PC — from using your applications to browsing the Web — for $200 or less. Or you can get a package with more limited options for $50 or less. Just remember to choose software that will be compatible with the hardware and software you already have on your PC. Copyright © 2000 BuyerZone.com Inc.

About 4737 days ago Servers and Routers

Should we buy, build, or lease our new office?

Offices & Operations mentor Mie-Yun Lee responds to the following question from an inc.com user: We are a small engineering firm (11 people), and the lease on our two small offices will be up in one year. We need one big office. Would it be better to buy, build, or lease an office? Mie-Yun Lee’s response:The quick answer to your question is it would be best to lease, but let me explain why. The type of office you need is widely available. As an engineering firm, your requirements are probably pretty straightforward. You probably need a combination of closed offices and open space to house workstations, a conference room or two, a reception area, a computer server room, and a kitchen area. While you could build this kind of office, it is the least practical option unless you have very specific needs. If you really want to own your own building, buying an existing property is a better, but still pricey, option.On the downside, real estate prices are at an all-time high in many parts of the country. Also, owning your own office building comes with a lot of additional work and expenses. You’ll have to deal with nuisances such as annual property taxes, as well as daily tenant-related maintenance issues if you plan to lease some of your space to others. However, if you are looking for another revenue stream or already have building management experience, owning your office building does have some perks. You can do whatever you like to the design and décor. You won’t have to worry about losing your space to a higher bidder every time your lease is up for renewal. And if the building is large enough, you’ll have room to grow your business. But in most cases, leasing is the most practical and affordable option for a small business. A commercial real estate broker can help you locate available office space. But before you even start talking to one, you should calculate roughly how much space you’ll need. To get you started, private offices are 120 to 200 square feet each, workstations are around 36 to 80 square feet, and conference rooms for 10 to 12 people are around 200 to 375 square feet. © 2000 BuyerZone.com Inc.

About 4768 days ago Telecom and Wireless

What points should I remember when setting up a new office?

Offices & Operations mentor Mie-Yun Lee responds to the following question from an inc.com user: We are in the process of setting up an office. What things should I be careful to not forget? Mie-Yun Lee’s response:You may have already decided on specific items such as computers, a phone system, a printer, and a fax machine. But here are a few points to remember when thinking about each. Computers. These days, I recommend that you get computers that run at least a Pentium III 450 MHz processor and have a minimum 10-gigabyte hard drive. That way you can run multiple applications and store files without a problem. And if you plan on having the computers networked, either now or in the next 6 to 12 months, the computer should have a built-in Ethernet connection. Phone system. If you want voice mail, make sure that the phone system supports it, even if you don’t buy it right now. In my experience, too many businesses have had to throw away their phone system because they could not add voice mail to it. Printer.Don’t forget to factor in the cost of toner when comparing ink-jet vs. laser printers. You’ll probably find a laser printer to be more cost-effective overall than an ink-jet one, even if it’s more expensive up front. Fax machine. If you expect to receive a lot of faxes daily, you’ll need a dedicated fax machine — not just a printer that includes faxing as one of its functions. In addition, I also suggest that you do the following: Make plans to back up your computers at least weekly (preferably daily). Plan well ahead when ordering phone lines. You may be surprised at how long this can take to set up. Keep temperature in mind if you expect to be using a server for your computer network. You need a cool place for the server to live. Believe me, it’s not a pretty sight when the switches or servers fail because of overheating. Look into a high-speed Internet connection. It is essential for almost any business. You don’t want to waste time waiting for pages to load. Buy business insurance. It’s easy to overlook the financial requirements that come with owning a business, but they are critical. Help out your mailman. Label the inside of your mailbox with the names of everyone and every company name under which you might receive mail. © 2000 BuyerZone.com Inc.