There’s a lot that goes into starting a new business, including buying the right equipment. While your specific equipment needs will depend on what your business does, there are certain machines and devices that any kind of business needs when starting out. Whether you’re running a one-person operation from home or are setting up a large retail space, here are some of the most essential tools you’ll need to get your business operating properly.
Fibre/Wifi
First and foremost, you can’t run a business these days without having an online connection. The first essential machine that any business needs is something to set it up with an internet connection. This could include a regular wifi router, a dongle, a sim card router, or more. Whether you use fibre or regular wifi will depend on your business location and what internet providers are available in your area. Luckily, there are pay-as-you-go data plans available if you aren’t ready to commit to a long-term internet contract. In this case, you’ll want to use a router that utilizes a sim card.
Even if you don’t need to spend much time online, having a stable internet connection is necessary for numerous business functions – such as using cloud-based software or accessing a connection for your card machine.
POS Machines.
When you look at South Africa’s fastest-growing tech businesses, you always seem to find the names of card machine and POS system businesses. This is because no business should operate without these essential tools. The good news is that POS systems have become more accessible than ever before. You don’t need to have special hardware or dedicated screens. Instead, you can simply access cloud- based POS systems on your smartphone or tablet.
You need a POS system to track all of your sales, manage your inventory, and run card payments. So, no POS system should be complete without a credit card machine. You could get a traditional card machine through your bank, but it’s easier for small businesses to get small, convenient machines that can connect to their smartphone through third-party providers.
Accounting Software
Accurate bookkeeping is a vital part of running any kind of business. In order to do this, businesses should set themselves up with decent accounting software from day one. If you know nothing about bookkeeping, there are plenty of great user-friendly platforms out there to make your life a lot easier. And even if you outsource your accounting to a professional, you still need to have accurate, clear records of your daily business transactions. The right accounting software will make this a lot easier to manage. Of course, this software will also help you avoid tax-related errors, which is critical for the smooth operation of your business.
General Business Equipment
Different businesses have different requirements in terms of equipment. However, all businesses need the same general tech tools for operations – like a laptop and a cellphone at the least. You’ll need a phone so that your business can have a contact number, and you’ll need a laptop for your day-to-day business admin. Depending on the size of your business and what you do, you may require additional computers and more advanced tech.
Many businesses require extra office equipment, like printers or extra monitors. Ensure you understand how your daily business operations will take place so that you can set your business up with the right tools from the start. Security tools are also important for many businesses. This could include alarm systems, security cameras, security gates, and more. If your business holds valuable stock, then investing in the right security equipment could be very important.
Loadshedding Devices
While this may not be a necessity, setting your business up with tools to keep you operating during loadshedding can be a lifesaver. This is especially important if your business cannot otherwise function without electricity. Some affordable tools include power banks, UPSs (great for keeping wifi routers and devices running during loadshedding), and battery-powered lights. Investing in the right tools could prevent your business from losing out on a lot of money when loadshedding hits.
Even if your business has minimal equipment requirements, these basic tools are essential for your operations. No matter what kind of business you start, you’ll probably need these machines to get your business off the ground and functioning properly. Just remember that tools play a major role in how a business functions. Investing in the right tools from day one can transform your business experience in a major way.
