Chapter 10: Technology And your Small Business
The Type of Computer You Need To Start A Business
What You Need From Your Computer and Internet Provider
To begin a business.
 You will need to consider what equipment you will need. In today's world,
What Every Small Business Needs To Operate in the 21st Century
The Brains Of Your Business: What You Need From Your Computer and Internet Provider
To begin a business, you will need to consider what equipment you will need. In today's world, technology needs to be up-to-date, so understanding your computer, Internet connection, and software needs is essential.
Minimum Requirements
The mainstay of your business needs to be your computer. This is where you will store inventory, contacts, invoices, and more. Additionally, you will need to access the web. Therefore, your computer must have, at the minimum:
- Hard drive: 150 Gigabytes (GB)
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Processor Speed: 2.5 Gigahertz (GHz)
- Drives: DVD 16X
- Modem: 56K
- Monitor: 15 inch
- Networking: Ethernet LAN port on the system board
When it comes to buying a computer for your business, the options range from either direct purchasing from major manufacturers, retailers, mail order and online companies.
You can also find companies that assemble a system specifically for you with all necessary software pre-loaded.
However, there are advantages in purchasing from a well-known brand or a local supplier.
Big brand manufacturers tend to be more expensive but provide support and warranties etc., while local suppliers tend to give better value for money and a faster response to any problems.
Internet Connected
The type of Internet connection you use has a direct effect on the speed with which you will be able to use the Internet. The capacity of an Internet connection is referred to as its bandwidth.
Although there are many ways to connect to the Internet, they vary mainly by connection and by speed.
A connection may be one that has to be launched each time you wish to use it, or you can have an "always-on" connection, also known as a broadband connection.
The first is connected by a modem and the second through an Ethernet card.
Speed, the second variable, determines how quickly you can receive and send data to and from your computer.
High rates of transfer are said to be "fast" connections or "high speed" connections.
Many companies choose to have an "always-on" connection because of the speed, even though such a connection can be a bit more costly.
Computer Software
Without software, your computer won't do anything. You must use software to make your computer run.
When you purchase a program, you are buying software. There are two main types of software; systems software and applications software.
Systems software often comes with the computer already installed or as a disk to install and includes the operating system. Applications Software are programs that perform work for the user.
Some Software programs you may wish to consider are:
 Word processing software – used to create, edit, and print documents- Web browser – program that allows you to search for and view information on the web
- Image Editor – performs editing and retouching to images
- Spreadsheet – used to store financial data, product lists, client lists, dates, as well as create reports for taxes and forecast sales
- Anti-Virus – seeks out virus threats and cleans infected files
- Accounting software – performs business accounting functions
- Web Editing Software – helps you create a website
- Shopping Cart – A way for a customer to check out, find their tax, shipping, and total order on your website
After you have done your homework and selected the best computer, Internet connection, and software for your company, you'll be well on your way to having the perfectly equipped office.
What's Next
Next In This Guide
 Finding the Right Computer Peripherals for Your Company - Add-ons Your Small Business Can Use: Finding the Right for Your Company. In addition to the computer and monitor, you will need to think about peripherals.
Previous In This guide
 What to Consider When Leasing Office Space - Due to the size or needs of your business, you may decide to rent office and/or warehouse space rather than have a home or own a building.
Table of Contents
 How To Start A Small Business Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Starting a Business But Were Afraid To Ask - Table of Contents
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