Chapter 4: Hardware

Hardware:

Well, this is where I would probably make a little money if I ever figure out how to get these companies to pay me for endorsing their products. If you've come this far it's because you are getting serious about your intentions to open a new business. So investing money into the following things I'm sure will pay off great dividends in your future. Take note that I originally posted this in 2008 and I have rewritten it in many places.

I know this is going to sound really obsessive compulsive but I really recommend you keep your schedule on computer program such as "Outlook" and be able to sync it with your cellphone or other portable device. The whole purpose of this constant planning is to keep you focused on the operation of your business. Get used to it!

Let's start counting:

You are also going to have to get an accounting program, more on this later. I recommend you get, or for the time being borrow a computer and I strongly recommend a laptop because this way you can take your work with you and start working on it wherever and whenever you get inspirational! In this age and market and with all indications that it will be even more essential in the future, technology is one of the biggest needs and expenses your business is going to incur. So make your technology expenses for equipment that you will be holding on to for at least 3-5 years ( I prefer 5).

I purchased a Compaq laptop back in 2001 and it was one of the best investments I ever made. On many occasions I felt I needed a desktop and added a docking station, two power supplies (one for home and one for work), flat screen monitor (first I had an old clunker), wireless keyboard/mouse, Data switch to make a network and a number of external USB stations for a number of peripherals to my trusty laptop. Last year I purchased a Dell Desktop and I made two mistakes. Don't take me wrong, I love my Dell, I upgraded it to 2 megs of Ram, added my video card to monitor two security cameras, wireless keyboard and mouse and a fax card…But…. My first mistake was getting the computer with a Windows Vista OS. It simply made me have to practically replace many of my programs and hardware….Not! I simply installed an XP program and despite warnings that my Dell hardware might not function everything did function correctly and I have had no other problems since. Including the installation of the Avermedia video capture card that is the heart of my security system. I guarantee that everything you hear about Windows Vista is true. Keep away from it! Note: I have begun to leave my computer on 24-7 and at this time I am evaluating the increase on my electric bill.

My second mistake was not getting a laptop (although I realize that I do need a desktop to serve as a network server and of course to run my surveillance hardware 24-7). My desire to justify the purchase of a new laptop drove me to push my performance and after six months I finally ordered my laptop which I haven't received as of yet!

Once again I went to Dell and spend over two months looking up the Dell site and trying to get the best price possible for the configuration I wanted. I finally called them up directly and made an offer. With tax and free shipping I got the laptop for a bit over 900 dollars. It might not have been the best price possible but I feel that getting the laptop at the moment I did was worth the extra money I might have paid.

I expect to have this laptop for the next 3-5 years and emphasized on Speed, Connectivity, Comfort, Portability and Components I would use in the future. I decided on the Vostro 1500 with a glare free screen (I took advice from their "Product Ratings" and most buyers regretted purchasing the "TruBrite" screens), a Dual Core 2.0 GHz processor, 2 Gig ram, 160 Gig 7200 rpm hard drive, blue tooth, N card and 2.0 build in camera and most importantly I got it with the Windows XP OS. The only component I'm not too sure about is the 2.0 Meg camera the unit comes equipped with but once again thinking of the future, some day I might just have to show a client one of my products instantly and just one sale will surely pay for the 40 dollar upgrade! OK, so now you have an idea of the equipment you should purchase now lets get to the root of why we should have this, let's look at some of the software you should be equipped with.

Update 09/2010: In the summer of 2009 I was looking for total mobility and purchased an Asus H1000 Netbook. I really enjoyed everything about this netbook to the point that I wrote an review about it. The only drawback it had was the size of the screen but the weight and everything else was amazingly comfortable. I added an HP L1710 screen at both my home and office for mobility and I felt I had a complete system. Unfortunately in February of 2010 in a moment of lapsed judgment I left my laptop bag in the backseat of my car and someone broke the window and stole it. I was fortunate that I have a iOmega 1.5 Tetrabite external hard drive and I perform regular back-ups. I had done a complete back up the night before.

Instead of reverting to the Vostro, which I still regard as the best laptop I have purchased, I still cannot stand it's cumbersome weight so I went shopping and settled for an Acer 1401. This Acer has an 11.2 screen, 250 Gig HD, and up to 4Gig of Ram that I immediately upgraded to. It came with a Vista OS and to my surprise unlike my previous post, the Vista OS worked quite well. I would think it had to do with all the updates that Vista went through. Instead of downgrading to Windows XP that has been discontinued by Microsoft, I decided to go with the best and the latest and upgraded to W7 Professional. I got the stand-alone OEM version for 139.00 at CompUSA. The installation was quite easy although I had to purchase an external DVD player Samsung SE-SO84 which I would need anyway.

I also upgraded my Canon Pixma 1400 printer to a Canon MX870 WiFi capable printer and replaced my Sierra Wireless Card that was also stolen with a Sprint U300 card by Sprint. This card is 4G capable but I find it heats up considerably. Sprint at this moment has other updated Air Cards of better size, quality and performance. Added to this bundle I got a Cradlepoint MB1000 router that converts the aircard's signal into a wifi network where up to 64 devices can connect to. This router/converter has become a "must have" because of its ability to connect the Asus, MX870, Dell Desktop, my daughter's Inspirion and iPhones……very sweet!

Regarding software first on my list and most important is Quickbooks 2011 Professional Edition. When setting up this program I suggest you add your own "categories" as you go. Depending on the type of business you are opening I would decide on using the "Items" detail to keep track of your inventory and purchases. And yes, pick an "Accural Method" of accounting at this moment! I will have a section going over the use of Quickbooks in the near future. But now the most important part of Quickbooks is preparing your budget by going to the "Company Tab" go to "Set up Budgets" and begin to post your projected expenses.

 

Well, that's the end of this section. Keep reading my posts and feel free to post any questions and criticisms. As you can read I might have to break out and open other sections to detail things like "Time Management", Quickbooks, etc.

09/2010 Update: There are a number of new aps on the market and especially if you use an iPhone. I recommend you purchase aps that you can sync with your phones because at this point online based aps are the way to go. Once again be sure that any hardware purchase you make will last you at least 3 years. In purchasing my Acer I although I had to upgrade to W7 I still saved money. The equivalent laptop with Intel Processor, 160Gig HD, and W7 pre-installed is selling for over 600 USD.

 

May 30, 2008: The Here and Now:

I should have prepared a "Graduation Gifts" campaign right after Mother's Day. I thought it graduations would take place after Mother's Day but too late I realized that many schools have their graduation ceremonies the week after Mother's Day. Normally I wouldn't bother but I'm looking at a lean summer this year and every single event has to be taken advantage of. I did post this note in the "2009 Planning Next Year" of my agenda. I dumped this ad project and concentrated on my E-mail newsletter and three scheduled Father's Day Email promotions. A month ago because of the increase in the price of stamps and print ad production, I decided to use a trial of "Constant Contact", an email promotion service. I used it for a May Newsletter and a couple of Mother's Day Promotions. It was very effective.

I've spend a couple of days preparing my June Newsletter and promotions but my email list is way over 300 so I decided to go ahead and end my trial period that only allows unlimited emails for 60 days to 100 contacts.

In the trial version Constant Contact will only host five pictures. The rest can be embedded into the email templates by inserting html code. I did this but whether it was by design or not, I found it hard to post links to pictures I had hosted in "The Linkup", Picasso web albums and my own website into the their email templates. I decided to pay the extra 5.00 a month and use their Premium Picture Hosting Service.. I see a great future in this type of advertising and already looked into buying a stand-alone program in the future. More info on Constant Contact click this link

Hurricane season is coming up and I scheduled a weekend in June to test my shutters. I also tested my security system both at store and at home. Two nearby businesses were broken. I interviewed one of the owners and he told me that someone had broken in and stolen 750.00 he had in the cash register. He explained that he didn't do a daily deposit. The other business was broken into two days after and the cash register was stolen. No money was inside it. But there was over 500.00 worth of damage done to both businesses. Sign of the time people! Secure your investment!