Computers in Business has come a long way since the early 1990s where only the most wealthy corporations could afford to buy the products needed for any type of computer aided business. Nowadays all businesses are involved. However I know that these business are spending big bucks on over the top pricey Office products so that they can “try and stay on top of the market” Companies like Microsoft and Symantec are making huge money from this. You know you don’t have to spend all this money on over expensive products and services.At this site I will give you the top 10 tips to cut down on your costs on software as well as cheaper computers and networking. These tips are best for small to medium sized businesses who cant afford it.You can now cut down on those costs and maybe increase profits.Simple Free and Easy.

1. Office Products www.openoffice.org

Every few years Microsoft office introduces a new software package forcing businessto renew licences costing them thousands in costs.This time it is Microsoft Office 2007 for windows. There are many different packageson offer from basic costing about 80 dollars to Enterprise packages costing near a thousand dollars.Imagine the cost you could save if you decided to ditch Office 2007.Sure it has great new features such as the now famous ribbon system. I must admit it looks beautiful but its too expensive for most companies in an ever difficult economy.Also the fact that Microsoft office has changed its interface you will have to re train your staff.However this can all change if you go for a cheaper (and I mean cheaper) alternative called Open Office 2.0. This is a beautiful and more importantly free package that does not require you to buy multiple licences could save you thousands if you opt for it. I would advise you to at least try it. Just go to their site www.openoffice.org and you could be on your way for cheaper office this coming year. Open Office provides the features expected from a modern office suite.

Also many of the components are designed to mirror those available in Microsoft Office so you don’t have to worry about extra staff training.

The components available include:

Writer— a word processor similar in look and feel to Microsoft Word and offering a comparable range of functions and tools. It also includes the ability to export Portable Document Format (PDF) files with no additional software, and can also function as a WYSIWYG editor for creating and editing web pages. One important difference between Writer and Microsoft Word is that in Writer, many functions and number formats from Calc (below) are available in Writer’s tables. Calc— a spreadsheet similar to Microsoft Excel with a roughly equivalent range of features. Calc provides a number of features not present in Excel, including a system which automatically defines series for graphing, based on the layout of the user’s data. Calc is also capable of writing spreadsheets directly as a PDF file.

Impress— a presentation program similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. It can export presentations to Adobe Flash (SWF) files allowing them to be played on any computer with the Flash player installed. It also includes the ability to create PDF files. Impress suffers from a lack of ready-made presentation designs. However, templates are readily available on the Internet.

Base — a database program similar to Microsoft Access. Base allows the creation and manipulation of databases, and the building of forms and reports to provide easy access to data for end-users. As with Access, Base is able to work as a front-end to a number of different database systems, including Access databases (JET), ODBC data sources and MySQL/PostgreSQL. Base became part of the suite starting with version 2.0.

Draw— a vector graphics editor comparable in features to CorelDRAW. It features versatile “connectors” between shapes, which are available in a range of line styles and facilitate building drawings such as flowcharts.

Math — a tool for creating and editing mathematical formulae, similar to Microsoft Equation Editor. Formulae can be embedded inside other OpenOffice.org documents, such as those created by Writer. It supports multiple fonts and can export to PDF.

QuickStarter— a small program for Windows and Linux that runs when the computer starts for the first time. It loads the core files and libraries for OpenOffice.org during computer startup and allows the suite applications to start more quickly when selected later. The amount of time it takes to open OpenOffice.org applications was a common complaint in version 1.0 of the suite, and Quickstarter was a solution of sorts. Substantial improvements were made in this area for version 2.0.

The macro recorder— is used to record user actions and replay them later to help with automating tasks, using OpenOffice.org Basic HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

2. AVG AntiVirus and AntiSpyware Software http://free.grisoft.com

Apart from the problem offices face with paying astronomical prices for Microsoft Office we all have to face problems from the many viruses and malware which affect our computer on a daily basis.Companies jump the gun on this expecting the worse so that they fork out hundreds of dollars onSymantec Norton antivirus software. The is how ever a very good alternative and again its free.Grisoft are offering a very competitive free antivirus software call AVG and it works great especially the fact that it is free. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements).
video and audio feeds every single day.Just create a link from your site and soon you will start attracting visitors

3. Online money services – Paypal https://www.paypal.com

As a business you probably eager to get onto the online side of life. In that you want all transactions to be done online. No need for cheques or anything. Just hop on to the paypal wagon and watch the money role in.Paypal is a company set up by Ebay to handle online transactions safely and securely.Over 21 million people have join up with Paypal already from 101 countries and most of them are extremely satisfied with the service.Paypal can work seamlessly with all you bank accounts as well as with credit and debit cards.I would strongly advise you to join Paypal.

4. Networking

Nowadays all devices can be networked to each other. From mice to printers. Speaking of printers many companies are left in the dark about this. It is very easy to set up a computer network where all computers are connected to the one printer so you don’t have to spend hundreds of euro on many different printers. This can also work with scanners.You can ever control your computer from anywhere in the world using remote computers accessing files from your own private network.This is known as VPN virtual private network. More on this later. Companies like HP are now selling cheap networked printers so that you don’t need a special computer dedicated to the job it’s built in. Also many people are now choosing to work at home and eventually your employees will ask to do the same at some poit. This world of technology is always changing so you should too and invest some money in networking your office.

Go to www.windowsnetworking.com for more tips and tricks. You wont even need to employ a tech expert and you can save big money.

5. Skype – with wifi www.skype.com

SKYPE PHONE BY NETGEAR

Skype is just a godsend for business when you think of all the cost people put on themselves over phone charges. It is basically know as VOIP or Voice over internet protocol where businesses can call other computers from around the world for free. Even better is the fact that you can get special WIFI skype enabled phones so you can actually call anyone on the skype network like using a real phone for free as long as you are within range of the network.All you need is a wireless router and a skype enabled wireless phone and you are set.You can even make cheaper than average phone calls to real phones anywhere in the world.It is very important that businesses use their broadband connections to their full potential. Try Skype for yourself at www.skype.com.

6. Podcasting

Imagine been able to broadcast to the masses for free. If you can get enough people to listen to your podcasts it would be a great boost to your business. Brodacasting in the traditional sense is very expensive as it requires licencing and dedicated hardware.

Even streaming over the internet is very expensive as it entails

Again its free and if you have a piece of recording software and a microfone your on your way. Thousand of people across the world have now accepted podcasts as their new form of cheap broadcasting. Itunes is your best bet as it free and easy plus it attracts thousands of listeners and viewers to both their video and audio feeds every single day.

Just create a link from your site and alreading you will start attracting.

Don’t rush into Vista

Thats is right!! What ever you do this year please tell me you don’t rush into buying windows vista. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind vista as an operating system although I have heard it is bug ridden but it seems to encorporate a beautiful interface. Oh AEROGLASS what a great idea. Be warned though vista is an absolute drag on hardware as it really pushes them to their limits. It could cost businesses several thousands of euro to upgrade your computers alone before you even purchase vista. Vista has many different editions from home basic ($200) to ULTIMATE edition ($400). Keep to XP as long as you possibly can. For vista to run you will need at least a Gigabyte of ram (preferably 2 GIGABYTES) and also quiet a good graphics card ( which can push up computer prices significantly). You could be spending up to  thousand dollars on a vista capable machine. I know that most office computers are older than vista is capable. I have seen this in most institutions. So if you are planning a major Overhaul on computer systems then go ahead get vista otherwise DONT.

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THAT’S ALL FOR NOW BETTER AND UPDATED INFO WILL COME SHORTLY.

Feel free to email me with any queries at brendan_sh12@hotmail.com

Don’t be afraid to tell your business pals also.It will save you big money.