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2013-10-19

Top 5 Must Have Equipment For Your Home Office


Transitioning from a company office to a home office may be quite tricky for first timers. Though there are advantages of being in the comfort of your own home, having flexible hours and working to your own schedule, there are downsides of needing more than just a desk and chair as part of your office equipment. Working at a company office, everything is provided for you from your first day at the company. You just have to show up for work, undergo a bit of company orientation and get to know the people you’re going to work alongside. Then you can go to your office cubicle and start working.





In a home office, you have to identify what office equipment is needed and be in charge of purchasing it all. If you’ve only just started your transition, you may not know what equipment is really needed for your home office. Here are the basics you need to cover:



1. Computer and Router with Stable Internet Connection

You can’t work without these two: a computer and a router with a strong Internet connection. The type of computer is up to you. You can have a desktop or a laptop for your home office. If you foresee bringing your work outside of your house, you may want to opt for a laptop. A strong and stable Internet connection is a must. Having an inconsistent connection will disrupt your work and will also upset your clients. Invest in a good provider to ensure you have a secure connection.



2. Printer, Copier and Scanner in One

Now that you work at home you no longer have access to a company copier, scanner and printer. So get yourself these three. Better yet, get a copier, scanner and printer in one. There are various brands offering one product that incorporates these three tools in a single unit. Plus they are even available with Wi-Fi capability so you can easily print a document from your mobile phone.



3. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

Get a dedicated phone line for your home office. Using your home phone line will provide many disadvantages. It will make you look unprofessional and you may even risk having clients question your business’ legitimacy. A VoIP service is good to get for your home office especially if you have clients from other states or countries. It will be less expensive than getting a landline. Plus VoIP offers various features useful for your business like the audio and video conferencing and Find Me Follow Me (FMFM). The FMFM feature allows you to get calls wherever you are through your mobile. So if you’re on the go, you won’t have to miss important phone calls.



4. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Ever wondered how at a company office when a power surge occurs everything turns dark and the one remaining light you see is the light from your computer screen? Your computers at the office are always the last things to go off allowing you to save your files first before they completely shut down. This happens because your company uses a UPS server for your office computers. When a power surge occurs and the main power source shuts off, the UPS battery kicks in and provides a secondary source of power for a short time. Having a UPS for your home office will not only allow you to avoid losing important unsaved files, it will also protect your computer from the damage a power surge will cause.



5. Good Desk and Comfortable Chair

Don’t underestimate the benefit of a good desk and a comfortable chair. Now that you work at home you can get office furniture that suits your taste and needs. You no longer have to settle for what is issued by the company. Make sure you get a good desk that matches your height and one with a good working space. And get a chair you will feel comfortable sitting in for hours and hours. Just don’t get too comfy or you might end up slipping into a nap while working.
Now that you’re working at home you need to make sure you have a space that’s fully equipped to ensure productivity. Not having these five key things in your home office may disrupt your work and lose you valuable time and money. Getting this must-have office equipment will ensure you spend your time in your home office wisely and productively.


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Author Bio:
By Debra Wright
Debra Wright is a creative and innovative blogger and online marketing specialist. She uses her wordsmith skills to share her ideas, thoughts, and tips to other people about topics that fascinate her, such as office equipment and working from home.