| No matter what field your new business is in, you | | | | Connecting wirelessly also allows you to place |
| will need a home office. Perhaps you already have | | | | devices in more than one room. The disadvantage |
| one, provided by your former employer. Or | | | | of wireless networking is that it tends to be |
| maybe you need to start from scratch. Either | | | | somewhat more expensive than wired |
| way, your office will be the nexus of your new | | | | connectivity. |
| company, so plan the design carefully. | | | | You will also need a variety of office furnishings. A |
| There are many essentials that are basic to | | | | comfortable desk chair will save your back. Rolling |
| every home office. The computer is perhaps the | | | | chairs are convenient but certainly not required. |
| most important. As the heart of your business, | | | | Your desk will need to accommodate your |
| the computer must be up to date and reasonably | | | | monitor and other devices, and storage space |
| powerful. | | | | would be a convenience. General office supplies |
| It is not necessary to purchase the most | | | | such as pens and paper clips should be within easy |
| expensive, however you should make sure that | | | | reach when seated at your desk. |
| you can meet or exceed the system | | | | A filing cabinet is highly recommended, to organize |
| requirements for the software you will purchase. | | | | both your business information and your client |
| No less than 512 MB of RAM, a Pentium or similar | | | | files. The filing cabinet should have a locking |
| processor with a clock speed of no lower than 2 | | | | capability. For maximum security a heavy metal |
| GHz, and a 3D enabled graphics card should be | | | | fireproof filing cabinet is the ideal, however these |
| considered minimum requirements. | | | | are expensive. A mid-range filing cabinet will usually |
| Another essential for the home office is a fax | | | | suffice at the beginning. |
| machine. Though e-mail is becoming more and | | | | A shredder is an often-overlooked but highly |
| more common, many business situations still | | | | necessary component to a home office. Identity |
| require the use of a fax. A very practical and | | | | theft is rampant, and simply shredding sensitive |
| cost effective solution is the all-in-one. Combining a | | | | documents is an easy first line of defense. |
| fax machine, copier, scanner, and printer in one | | | | Remember to shred both company documents |
| machine, these devices save both space and | | | | and client files. |
| money over purchasing components separately. | | | | Your home office will be the heart of your new |
| You will need a way for your electronic devices | | | | business. Proper design is important. Your new |
| to communicate with each other. Many devices | | | | setup should be functional and ergonomic, as well |
| are now able to communicate wirelessly, from | | | | as pleasing to your eye. A bit of planning and initial |
| printers to keyboards and mice, allowing you | | | | investment will net you an office that will suit your |
| maximum convenience in office layout. | | | | needs for years to come. |