What Office Equipment Do You Need?This is a question most new businesses need to consider seriously. Office equipment is typically a large portion of a company's capital expenditures.~~ Before you run out and purchase every new piece of office technology on the market, take the time to determine exactly what your business requires. Start by conducting a simple cost-benefit analysis to access how much your business will need and use a specific piece of equipment. A cost-benefit analysis compares the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Say you own a small service business and you are considering the purchase of a stand-alone copier versus a printer or multi-function machine. If you will be doing a sizeable amount of copying per month, the investment may be a wise one. Conversely, if your copying needs are light, a multi-function machine (copier, scanner, fax) may be a more cost-effective purchase. Business owners and office managers often spend more time considering the cost-effectiveness of big-ticket equipment while overlooking smaller purchases. Be aware the cost of smaller items can add up quickly. For instance, software is sometimes an afterthought, even an impulse purchase at the office supply superstore. As you probably know, many software packages cost more than office equipment. Make a concerted effort to purchase the software your business currently needs. If you do not need the upgraded version, stick to the basics. Sometimes you can also "borrow" a program from a benevolent friend or find a free basic version download on the Internet. Keep these simple rules in mind when purchasing any office equipment. The main objective should be to stick with purchases that will over the long run: - Give your company a competitive advantage
- Pay for themselves over time
If the piece of equipment does not meet at least one of these criteria, don't buy it. | 
