Furnishing and equipping your office is one of the more exciting parts of starting a new business. But it can get overwhelming if you’ve never done it before and don’t know where to start. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right equipment for your business:
Decide What Needs to be Brand New
When setting up your first office, you would probably want to make sure that you have the latest computers, software, smartphones and other gadgets, as this kind of technology can get outdated very quickly. But not all your office equipment needs to be brand new. In fact, you could save a lot of money on heavy machinery by buying used wide format equipment or refurbished printers and copiers from a company like JJBender.com.
If you decide to buy used printers, copiers or scanners and the like, make sure to purchase them from a reputable source like JJ Bender so you can be assured of their quality and functionality. They have more than 38 years of experience in the business, and all the machines they supply go through rigorous quality checks and tests to ensure that they are functioning as well as brand new devices.
Consider Your Business Needs
Each office will have different hardware needs depending on the nature of their business and their business policies. For example, if your work involves printing a lot of marketing and promotional material, you may want to invest in high quality color printers. Wide-format printers will be the right choice for such businesses, but firstly let’s understand what wide format printing is. Large format printers are printing machines that allow you to print materials between 12 and 100-plus inches. These machines will be a great tool for advertising, branding and marketing purposes. It’s especially beneficial for such businesses which need to produce large graphics. Thanks to these machines you will get high-quality images. Furthermore, it will be cost-effective for the business as you will have the opportunity to print everything anytime you want, without wasting your time outsourcing printing companies. But if you’d prefer to go paperless, you might need a good scanner more than you’d need a printer. Similarly, most offices these days will need a reliable phone system, but only a few will find a fax machine absolutely crucial.
Take some time to think about the tasks you expect to be doing on a daily basis, and what kind of machines and devices will help you accomplish those tasks efficiently. Prioritize the equipment that is completely necessary for your business.
Think About Energy Costs
Many business owners make the mistake of not factoring in utilities and energy expenses when buying equipment for their offices. Sure, that fancy computer might look sleek and modern and have all the bells and whistles, but it might be a huge power drain as well. Consider this when shopping for office equipment. Choose energy efficient and “green” machines and appliances, particularly in the break room where appliances like a refrigerator can use up a lot of energy. Even simply choosing energy efficient lighting over traditional incandescent bulbs can go a long way towards saving you money when it’s time to pay your monthly electricity bills.
Choose Your Aesthetic
It may seem frivolous, but when equipping your office, you also want to consider aesthetics and how well your hardware reflects your brand identity. Image is important, and even your office furniture and equipment can communicate your brand’s values and business’s culture to customers and potential clients. Your brand identity will affect your office’s color scheme and the interior design choices you make, whether you go for traditional furniture or sleeker, more modern pieces.
Looking at this list, it may seem like there’s a lot to think about and consider when it comes to choosing the right equipment for your business. This is true, but if you approach the process methodically and in a practical manner, you’ll find that it really isn’t as stressful or overwhelming as you might have expected.
