Starting your own business is a dream that takes passion, skill, and inevitably the proper tools for the job. When you have office equipment that’s reliable and practical, your employees can stay productive and put forth quality work.  

Whether you’re a small to medium-sized business or a large corporation, we have a list of the most essential office equipment that you will not be able to work without. You might eventually end up having a massive collection of equipment with all of the bells and whistles, but in the beginning, you need to start with the basics.

For many of these items, you have the choice of purchasing them new or renting them from a workspace provider such as Nashua. Once your office is equipped, you will be prepared to handle the busy workdays and deliver outstanding service to your clients.

At a glance, here’s our list of eight essential office equipment which you should to invest in:

1. Computers 
2. Printers
3. Internet connectivity
4. VoIP telephony
5. Software 
6. Presentation tech
7. Security system
8. Miscellaneous

Computers 

This is something you probably expect to see on this list. Yes, computers are basic tools, but with so many options available in the market, it’s important to choose devices that won’t let employees down during an average workday or that big meeting or presentation. This means opting for laptops or desktops that come with powerful processors, are feature-rich and can support a wide range of peripherals.

Printers

More likely than not, your office will need at least one printer that will endure daily use. You have the choice between single and multifunction, inkjet and laserjet, and black and white and colour printers. The right office printers depend on what type of business you are and what you expect from a printer. For example, if you regularly print, scan, fax, email and copy documents, we suggest a multifunction printer. If color is not important to you, then you might be better off with a black and white printer. If you’ll be printing large volumes of documents, a laser printer will be in order. 

Internet connectivity

If you’re serious about productivity, investing in a business-grade internet connection is a no-brainer. The first question you must tackle comes down to a simple matter of wireless versus fibre internet. Both of these options are better, faster and more reliable than standard ADSL internet. After that, you need to select a line speed. Make sure to select an internet solution that can handle a solid workload. Fortunately, internet providers allow you to upgrade your package at scale, meaning you can get even faster speeds as your business grows.

VoIP telephony

Another thing that you’ll definitely need to include in your startup equipment list is a business-grade voice over IP (VoIP) service. VoIP is much cheaper than traditional landlines since it takes advantage of your internet connection, which eliminates the need for infrastructure installation. The best thing about VoIP is that it’s really flexible – you can add more channels and call features as your business grows. Be sure to choose a solution that is best utilised for your current and future business needs. 

Software 

You will no doubt need many different kinds of software in order to manage and perform daily tasks, from HR management, to design, to billing. It’s important to think about what software your business requires. For example, Microsoft Teams is a suite of apps you’ll need to keep your teams organised and connected while a project management system will help you track the progress of projects.

Presentation tech

If your weekly schedule is filled with boardroom meetings or client pitches, then presentation technology simply must be a part of your startup equipment list. One of the oldest and most popular tools in the industry, video projectors still rank high when it comes to creating visual content. However, interactive whiteboards are also an effective presentation tool for conveying your ideas through multimedia. Although both technologies have their place in the office, there’s a good chance that one will be better at meeting your needs than the other.

Security system

A security system is a crucial consideration to prevent robberies and thefts to ensure that the business operations are being performed in a securable manner. The above mentioned equipment is a sizable investment and you do not want to risk losing your assets. Security cameras, access control, and Intrusion alarms can do a great job protecting your business long-term.

Miscellaneous

Apart from all the office equipment listed above, there is a variety of miscellaneous items and appliances that are essentially crucial for an effective operation of your business: 

• Furniture (desks, ergonomic chairs, filing cabinets, shelves, meeting table and chairs)
• Stationery (pens, paper, notepads, post-it notes, scissors, stapler, binder, paper trays, three-hole punch)
• Headphones 
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Coffee machine

Final word

There you have it – the most important pieces of office equipment required to get your startup off the ground. Depending upon the services you offer, you may need some more equipment, but the items in our list are the ones to get you going. So, make sure you have them all!

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