five users each. The lowest paid plan is $25 per month for three workspaces, 10 users each, and 500MB of file storage. At the high end, $249 a month gets you 100 workspaces, 100 internal users (employees), and 100 external users (vendors, clients, or partners), 25GB of storage, and custom branding. An additional fee brings extra security and Web meetings.
For more tips and case studies, check out PC World's Telecommuting Resource Guide.
3. Hold Online Meetings
Why fly out to see a client when you can hold a meeting in cyberspace? Using free video conferencing software, such as Skype, you need only a Webcam, a PC, and an Internet connection--saving money not only on travel costs, but on long-distance as well. Skype does drop calls sometimes and can be staticky, so hold a few meetings before you drop your landline completely.
If you'd like to upgrade to a more robust Web conferencing service, Cisco's WebEx lets you share documents, supports up to four Webcams, and lets you run presentations from your desktop.
GoToMeeting is another solution that offers VoIP, supports meetings with up to 15 attendees, and lets you give presentations, collaborate, or provide training from your desktop, saving money on travel costs and meeting space. Who doesn't want to make presentations in their pajamas?
For the more adventurous, Second Life lets you create an avatar for free and meet "in-world," make video presentations, and hold virtual meetings or training sessions. You can also buy office space in Second Life if you'd like to set up a more permanent place for employees to meet and collaborate.
4. Buy Refurbished Hardware
While ripping open a box containing a shiny new computer is an unmatched thrill, saving your business a bundle is a close second. Buying refurbished (nearly new) hardware is a great way to get a deal.
If you have your eye on a specific brand of computer, go to that manufacturer's site to find deals on refurbished systems. But note that each vendor defines refurbished a bit differently. For instance, Dell sells three types of refurbished computers, all of which are tested and restored to factory specs: Certified Refurbished includes laptops and desktops that were returned to Dell and may have minor cosmetic dings or blemishes; Previously Ordered New means a PC that was shipped new, but the customer decided to return the system without so much as booting it; Scratch and Dent products may appear a bit more "worn" on the outside, but still work well and don't contain dings or scratches on the palm rest or screen.
The Dell Outlet store lets you search for refurbished Dell desktops, accessories, and laptops by price range; most of the items cost up to 35 percent below retail. For example, a Flamingo Pink Certified Refurbished Inspiron 1720 laptop with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, a 17-inch LCD, and a 120GB SATA hard drive was $879 on the Dell Outlet site. Price depends on whether the item has scratches and dents, whether it was ordered new, and other factors. And if you're not happy with your purchase, you can return products within 21 days from the date of shipment, less a restocking fee if the product is not defective.
If you're a Mac devotee, Apple sells refurbished products through its online store. But don't expect huge savings--some of the newer products are a mere $200 less than the retail price. However, in some cases, you can save much more. A recent look at the Apple Store revealed a refurbished MacBook Air (with a 1.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, a 13.3-inch glossy wide-screen display, 2GB of memory, an 80GB PATA hard drive, and a built-in iSight camera) listed at $1499, versus $1799 retail. A refurbished iMac (with a 2.8-GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme CPU,
Post new comment