Ever since the coronavirus outbreak, many businesses have gone out of commission, and the ones still running have witnessed a decline in their productivity.
If your business falls under the latter category, you must look for ways to keep it sustainable, especially if you now work from a remote location.
While various devices exist to improve a business’s workflow, the majority of them are costly. Fortunately, though, there are still some affordable computer products and other devices that can go a long way in sustaining your business during the pandemic.
Check out 5 tools that can help you sustain your business.
Wi-Fi router
If your business mostly operates online, you’ll need a reliable internet connection to complete your daily tasks, connect with your customers, and reach your business’s goals. Therefore, having a Wi-Fi router is crucial to the sustenance of your business.
With models as sleek as Nest Wifi and Netgear Nighthawk, there are plenty of options to choose from. But before you buy any model for your business, always ensure that you test the strength and speed of its internet connection.
Surge protector
The main function of a surge protector is to protect your devices and equipment from power surges, voltage spikes, and other electrical damage that may cost you a lot of money in repairs.
A typical surge protector has a set number of outlets—usually four outlets—to accommodate plugs alone. Though for businesses, it’s usually advisable to buy the ones that feature not only outlets, but also USB ports, enhanced with fast charging for powering smart devices, and inbuilt Wi-Fi.
Cable management box
Whether you’re working from an office or your home, a tangled mess of cables, cords, and surge protectors can easily disrupt your workflow. If you’re already facing this problem, the ideal thing to do is to get a cable management box.
Cable boxes have inbuilt storage spaces for surge protectors and cables, with lids to protect them from dust and spills, and cutouts for the cables to poke through.
They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors; however, when buying a cable box, you always want to prioritize functionality over design. The ideal size for your business will largely depend on the size of your working space and the number of cables you have.
Data storage devices
Regardless of the size of your business, data storage devices, such as USB flash drives and external hard drives, can help you secure and organize your digital files.
And aside from the extra storage space, they offer your computers, another reason they’re a handy office tool is that they could serve as a backup for your original documents.
Printer
With a color laser printer, you can easily print flyers, documents, banners, and ads for your business without having to settle for expensive printing services. But with so many tempting options to choose from, how do you decide which printer best suits your needs?
The ideal printer for your business will usually depend on two factors:
- The size of your office
- The requirements of your business—for instance, do you mostly deal with text or graphics?
Your budget is another deciding factor, though it’s never a bad idea to start with smaller options, such as the HP LaserJet Pro M15w Printer, and buy larger, more functional ones later when you can afford them.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.