Working from home is a new reality for many of us. We have adapted to this new work environment, and it does come with perks. Not having to commute or buy lunch out is great. Plus, you can even work in your pyjamas!
While there are lots of benefits, there are also some extra expenditures you must make. Various office equipment and devices are required to do business. As such, you will have to equip your home office with today’s tech to communicate and work. Some technologies are considered especially essential in a home office environment.
Here are some of the technologies you need in your home office.
Laptop
A laptop is where most of your business duties will be conducted. Everything from data entry to workflow to communication is done with your computer. You need to keep up with whatever your company or clients throw at you so having a new, fast computer is essential. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need an upgraded graphics card and multiple monitors.
Storage may be essential too, so you should have an external source to keep data local. Cloud storage is also helpful, allowing you to access what you need if you are on the road with your smartphone. An external drive or a network-attached drive with security encryption will give you the space and protection you need.
Printer
Office work requires the ability to send and receive information. While your computer can handle emails, you need a way to get documents distributed to fellow employees and clients.
A must-have is a printer and scanner system. Also, a fax machine is still a useful piece of equipment that is still used today. Fortunately, you can buy an all-in-one machine to handle all these tasks. You will also need paper as while we are in the digital age, we are not quite in a paperless world.
Shredder
Along with our business paperwork comes the need to get rid of documents with private business information and the ability to recycle. Having a shredder is very important and is something you may have taken for granted while working in a commercial office.
It’s amazing how many documents are sent to you. Each day, you accumulate a lot of material that needs to be dealt with. A shredder is affordable and doesn’t take up much space. It is another essential tech tool for your home office.
Binding System
Depending on the type of work you do, you may need to manufacture and distribute booklets for your business. Having an external company do this for you can save time, but it is expensive. It’s much better to have the equipment to do it yourself in your home office.
When you can customize and make quick changes to your pamphlets and booklets yourself, it gets your products into the hands of your clients faster, and any changes to your material don’t cost you extra. You can also make a small run of material or as big as you want.
Webcam
Working at home still requires you to communicate with clients and co-workers. Video conferencing is the new normal and you should have a high-quality setup for this. It can be done with a webcam and that works well for smaller interactions.
However, you may want to have a large display monitor apart from your computer for lengthy conference meetings. There are different types of display devices that have built-in audio and microphones. Find a setup you are comfortable with.
Adjustable Desk
While you may think that working at home lets you put your feet up on the couch, that isn’t a functional way to conduct business. You need access to supplies and having a desk gives you the real estate to keep everything within arms reach. Using a desk also keeps you in the game and more professional.
There are some options with a home office desk. You should consider an ergonomic model for your comfort. An adjustable desk has technology that allows you to both sit and stand with ease. This is truly a benefit for those with back issues. Once you try it, you will love it!
Smartphone
While most of us already have one, a smartphone is an integral part of your modern home office. It allows you to do almost everything your computer does as well as make calls. You need to be mobile with a home office because you will have to go out for supply runs, shipping orders and other tasks that will take you away from your home setup.
Having all your business documents and contacts in the palm of your hand is vital. If you don’t have a smartphone, get one.