| I'm sure you've noticed - even before we are done | | | | are known to throw out a good bargain once in a |
| with Halloween (and certainly we can't get through | | | | while. This past weekend, Office Max sold the Brother |
| Thanksgiving anymore) before we're bombarded with | | | | MFC 7420 for only $99. So if $400 sound like a large |
| ad after ad announcing the forthcoming holidays. | | | | number, shop for deals, and remember you're |
| This year, take advice from an assistant who's been | | | | removing the copier, printer and fax with all their |
| there and done that. Here's 5 items any assistant will | | | | related cartridges, toners and maintenance, while at the |
| LOVE! | | | | same time getting items such as mail, file copies and |
| 1. Dymo label printer Sounds like such a silly thing, | | | | receipts scanned and digital. |
| doesn't it? Why is a label printer any different than the | | | | 4. The right tech so s/he can work from home 1 or 2 |
| regular printer? Think about it - the paper is sticky on | | | | days per week (and so could you)! Truly, wouldn't you |
| one side which can cause jamming and even damage | | | | both at least like the option?! For less than $10.00 per |
| to a regular printer; the formatting can be difficult and | | | | month you can collaberate securely in your own |
| the labels expensive. Suffice it to say, labels printed | | | | private webspace thanks to services such as |
| through a regular printer can be a really tricky thing. | | | | 37Signal's BackPackIt. A free option is to transfer the |
| Enter the Dymo - a small printer just for labels that | | | | files through secure web based services such as |
| plugs in via USB and can be accessed from most | | | | SendThiFile. Other web based tech allows you to |
| popular software with the click of the mouse. | | | | work from any phone, and your assistant from any |
| 2. CardScan - tiny, like the Dymo, but rather than | | | | computer connected to the internet. |
| getting the information out easily - you get it in. The | | | | 5. Up to date equipment/software/ training. If the |
| CardScan is extremely effective at getting all those | | | | computer your assistant is working on is older than 3 |
| business cards laying around into a contact database | | | | years or uses software more than two versions |
| FAST. A definite cure for the holiday mailing list frenzy | | | | behind the most current, it is time to upgrade. You don't |
| angst felt by most business this time of year! | | | | want to wait for the machine or software to crash |
| 3. A scanner/all-in-one with a sheet feeder that holds | | | | before you do. |
| at least 20 pages. If it can scan double sided and has | | | | Plan a January 1st start date for moving forward on |
| a flat bed - all the better. As with any printer, toner is | | | | updated equipment and software. This gives you |
| more expensive to buy, but lasts much longer than ink. | | | | enough time to research and purchase what you |
| Expect to pay about $400 for a solid machine and | | | | need, as well as get everyone involved trained before |
| make sure it is either TWAIN or comes bundled with | | | | year's end. These days, software is not intuitive. This |
| Adobe Professional at no additional cost. You can | | | | makes training a must if you want to experience a |
| keep an eye out for deals at places like Tiger Direct | | | | seamless transition. |
| and MicroCenter and even some major chain stores | | | | |