Posts Tagged ‘vendor’

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Ten Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Host

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Computer hosting, or web hosting, allows you to have a business website under your own domain name, which will greatly enhance your company’s professional image. Web hosts abound, however, which can make the prospect of choosing a host seem daunting.  Here are a few points to help you make an informed decision:

  • Price - Web hosting accounts are typically billed on a monthly basis. Fees start at about $5 per month and increase based on the hosting vendor and add-ons.
  • Set-up Fees - These fees cover the cost to transfer files from another host as well as costs associated with getting your site hosted. Most hosting services waive the set-up fee for new customers.
  • Disk Space - Disk space is the amount of hard drive space your host allocates to you on their computer servers. This will include space for you to store all your files for your entire website as well as any data files that your company will need to periodically backup and store on the hosting company’s servers.
  • Data Transfer - Data transfer involves the amount and speed that your hosting company provides to you for sending and updating your data files.
  • Year Established - When was the hosting company founded? If a web host has been in business for a considerable time, then it is probably a safe choice. A brand new hosting company may not be as reliable.
  • Online Reputation – Perform simple Google searches on your preferred computer hosting vendors before making your final choice. By reading blogs and forum posts, you’ll be able to find out which services truly provide the solutions you need.
  • Email Accounts - Some hosts limit the number of email accounts that you can have associated with each website domain. Choose a provider that allows you to have as many email accounts as you need in order to operate your business effectively.
  • Added Features - Many web hosts offer features like content management systems, design software, and an assortment of widgets. You might not need many add-ons at first, but at least you’ll have the option of using them in the future.
  • Technical Support - Look for a vendor that has 24 hour customer service via a toll-free number. That way, if your website is ever down, you can contact a technical support team for immediate help to get your site back online.
  • Shared Host vs. Private Host – Shared hosts and private hosts offer different security measures. With a shared host you face the possibility of your website and data files being corrupted by a virus from the files of another company using the same host. A shared host, however, is generally far less expensive than a private host. Therefore, you should weigh the benefits and cost of having a private server against the savings and risks of using a shared server.

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Five Tips for Choosing a Long Distance Provider

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Long distance services are communication services that allow business associates to communicate with one another regardless of location. These services make it possible for business operations to run smoothly and for employees to be able to communicate effectively with clients.

There are many different types of long distance services vendors, including phone vendors and VOIP services. In some situations, VOIP services are far less expensive than telephone long distance services, especially when a business is located in a remote area. When looking for a long distance vendor, consider the following:

  1. Cost – This is one of the most important variables when it comes to long distance services. The cost of the long distance service vary based on the service provider and the technology the provider is uses. Be sure to look at the base monthly rate, minutes you will receive at that rate (if applicable), and additional features available at that rate.
  2. Sound Quality – The sound quality of your long distance service has a major impact on your ability to communicate effectively. Some providers who offer low rates use outdated technology, so the sound is muffled or appears to be distant. Select a long distance service that guarantees crisp sound and ask for a trial period before signing up.
  3. Ease of Use – How easy is it for your employees to use the long distance service? Do they need to be near a certain computer or type of phone in order to place a call? Some VOIP services operate through phones as well as computers. Assess your needs and determine how mobile your long distance service needs to be.
  4. Contract – If the long distance company requires you to sign a contract for its services, request a trial period first. Also be sure the contract you sign offers you the flexibility to switch services if a superior technology becomes available during the term of your contract.
  5. Reputation – Some long distance services have a reputation for dropping calls. Others may be known low call quality. Performing a Google search for reviews on your top choices will help you find the company that’s most reliable.

InsideUp can help you locate a long distance service provider to keep your business communication network flowing. We have carefully selected top national long distance vendors who will provide high quality communication services for your business at a significant cost savings.

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Reduce Your Capital and Operating Costs by Outsourcing

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

The shift toward outsourcing continues as businesses seek ways to remain competitive despite streamlined budgets. According to the Journal of Accountancy, “Outsourcing is becoming popular even in small and midsize companies. Nowadays, a small business may not have staff members such as a human resources recruiter or a 401(k) specialist in- house…many of these functions are being handled by outsourcers.”

Here are a few ways outsourcing can save money for your company, according to the experts at AllBusiness.com:

Outsourcing human resource duties, for example, will save your company considerable expense by eliminating the need to hire and train HR personnel to perform duties such as benefits administration and payroll. Instead, your provider’s trained and experienced HR experts will be able to handle these duties expediently, resulting in substantial savings in terms of labor costs.

Outsourcing also releases capital for investment revenue-producing activities, which will in turn make your firm more attractive to investors.

In addition, outsourcing can save you the expense of hiring temporary employees for short-term projects, as well as the cost of paying benefits to in-house staff.  And it allows you to avoid large expenditures in the early stages of your business.

Companies that handle every function in-house have much greater research, development, marketing and distribution expenses, which are often passed on to customers.

Although cost savings remains the number-one reason most companies choose to outsource, there are additional benefits as well, such as:

Time savings – Outsourcing business functions such as IT and HR provides relief from the administrative tasks involved in employee-related responsibilities, allowing you time to focus on strategies that will create growth and sharpen your competitive edge.

Start new projects quickly – A good outsourcing firm will have the resources to take on your projects immediately. Handling the same project in-house might involve taking weeks or months to hire and train additional staff.

Focus on your core business – Business managers must set priorities in order to focus limited resources where they will do the most good. Outsourcing can help shift you company’s focus away from peripheral activities and toward serving customers better.

Level the playing field – Most small firms simply cannot compete with the in-house support services that larger companies can provide. With the help of outsourced providers, small firms can appear “big” and enjoy the same capabilities, efficiency and expertise of large companies.

Reduce risk – When an outsourcing provider handles your business operations, they also assume much of the risk inherent in those functions, removing some of the burden of compliance with government regulations and other considerations.

According to outsourcing expert Frank J. Casale, outsourcing “is the great equalizer for small to medium-sized firms. Growth-oriented entrepreneurs can benefit tremendously. Not only do employees frequently gain access to better benefits, the owner gains freedom to focus.”

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Posted in Vendor Sourcing | 2 Comments »

New iPhone App Lets You Connect Instantly with Business Services

Friday, August 6th, 2010

InsideUp has has just released an iPhone app that will help you find the services you need instantly, and get immediate quotes from multiple vendors. When you submit a request on the iPhone or iPad, you will be instantly matched with vendors that fit your criteria, and receive custom quotes from up to five providers. Not only will you save money on business services, but you will get access to top quality, pre-qualified vendors.

Business owners are increasingly relying on Web-enabled phones and other mobile wireless devices to conduct business on-the-fly. With this app, you can take immediate action whenever an idea presents itself. If brainstorming over lunch produces a brilliant plan for a direct marketing campaign, just a few touches to your iPhone screen will have you in touch with a direct mail provider while your ideas are still fresh.

The application currently includes VoIP phone service, call center services, direct mail, web design, credit card processing, debt collection services, and payroll accounting vendors. More services will be added to the system in the future.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, all you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your business needs, and the system will match you with qualified vendors, based on your company profile and specific needs. The app is free, and it only takes a couple of minutes to submit your information.

This new app will be an indispensable time-saver for businesses, eliminating the ordeal of researching each provider to find the one that best matches their needs and budget. The immediacy of this system makes it simple and cost-effective for businesses to have ready access to service providers.

Statistics from research firm Gartner show that the number of smartphones and Web-enabled phones will soon exceed 1.82 billion units. With 6.5 billion mobile connections expected by 2014, all companies, both large and small, will be accustomed to conducting business online.

Download this time-saving app here, and discover how easy it can be to get the business services you need, as soon as you need them.

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Posted in Vendor Sourcing | 13 Comments »

How to Find Truly Useful Vendor References

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

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When you need to select a new vendor, you want to feel confident in your final selection. For every service you require, there will likely be many providers to choose from. So how do you select the best vendor for your needs? Start by checking their references to get an idea of how well a vendor meets deadlines, responds to queries, and provides support.

But how can you be sure that the reference you are getting is accurate and useful? Some references will avoid saying anything negative about a vendor to avoid liability; giving a bad reference may constitute slander or libel, which can result in legal action. In addition, some references may have been coached in terms of what information they can and should share with a new business.

How to Perform a Reliable Reference Check

Seek out companies that have used the vendor’s services, but are not listed as references by the vendor. Here are a few tips on finding such companies:

  • Look at the vendor’s press releases for information about business partnerships and relationships.
  • Perform a simple search engine search.
  • Browse a vendor’s LinkedIn profile.
  • Attend industry trade events to find companies that work with the vendor you’re considering (this is especially useful if a business is large or well-known).
  • Look for references from businesses that are similar to yours in terms of type, size, and/or location.

Whenever possible, speak to the person who actually deals with the company you’re inquiring about. They should be able to give you more in-depth information about what it’s like to do business with this vendor.

Once you have gathered several unbiased sources, prepare a few key questions to ask. Delve for details by asking specific questions about what the company has done to fill their needs. Ask them to rate the vendor’s business services on factors such as timeliness, expertise, reliability, customer support, communication, and availability. When comparing more than one vendor, remember to record your findings for later review.

Performing a thorough reference check may seem like an annoying task, but finding a first-rate vendor who will provide reliable service to your company is well worth the endeavor.

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Posted in Vendor Sourcing | 5 Comments »

Signs that It’s Time to Switch Vendors

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

switchMany businesses rely heavily on the ability to outsource certain operations to quality providers. For your business to run smoothly, it’s important to maintain a good relationship with your vendors. Part of the responsibility for smooth business relations lies with the vendor, of course.

Unfortunately, there may come a time when you have to consider a change in service providers. How do you know when your association with a particular vendor has come to the breaking point? There are a few clues that can indicate a need to look elsewhere for a vendor.

Unreliability

It is bound to happen occasionally that a provider to whom you outsource a great deal of work simply has become overbooked or understaffed. This state of affairs could be temporary. Most good service providers will readily apprise you of the situation, sometimes before you even have to ask, and let you know what they are doing to remedy it. You might consider sticking with them through an occasional rough patch, but if communication problems and delays in service become a regular occurrence, it may be time to look elsewhere for a provider that will deliver more reliable service.

Excessive Rise in Costs

Inflation is inevitable, and you can expect that your service providers will need to raise their prices from time to time. If their pricing increases seem exorbitant, however, or occur very frequently, but in smaller increments that you may not have noticed at first, it might be in your best interest to at least compare the new fees with those of a few other providers. You could find that price break you’re looking for with another vendor.

Lack of Communication

Communication is key in maintaining good business relationships. Many providers welcome frequent interactions with their clients, and are quick to respond to questions and feedback. They will gladly listen to your concerns and will work to make any changes in order to meet your needs. If you feel you are being neglected in this area, perhaps it is time to find a provider with better customer service skills.

Of course, you will want to check the references and reputation of any new provider you are considering, or you could end up switching one problem for another. In a future blog, we will offer tips on how to research vendors.

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Factoring Can Help Cash Flow

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

FactoringFact: when businesses extend credit (which occurs anytime a business has to send an invoice for products or services), it will have 10 to 20 percent of its annual sales stuck in accounts receivable. That’s a significant amount of money each year!

When a business needs assistance managing their cash flow, the business can turn to a variety of resources, including banks and other lenders. However, many businesses either can’t get funding through a traditional lender, or would prefer to get funding through alternate means. Factoring is an alternate mean that is very appealing for many businesses. Factoring, in essence, is “cash without borrowing.”

Here’s How Factoring Works

A business sells its accounts receivable (outstanding invoices) to an investor (factor) at a discount rate – usually of about four percent). The factor then collects the money from the customer. Because the business sells the accounts receivable at a discount, the investor is able to collect on the discounted margin. That margin is generally based on a percentage of the total cost of the invoice, but may also be based on a flat rate.

Factoring is a very common practice that has been around for thousands of years, according to Vital Force Factoring. It is generally a business-to-business service, but consumers also use factoring systems anytime they make purchases with a credit card. In the case of a credit card arrangement, the credit card company will pay a retailer for goods when a consumer makes a purchase. Therefore, the credit card company, acting as a factoring agent, serves as a middle man and is in charge of managing payment for a product or service. The factoring system works in much the same way as a credit card system in business-to-business transactions.

Benefits of Factoring

Many company, such as Florida-based First Capital, are in business to buy receivables in exchange for immediate cash – as much as 97 percent of the total amount of the invoice. Some businesses use factoring for funding when they are unable to get bank loans or loans from conventional lenders. In a pinch, some businesses even use factoring to pay for inventory, payroll, and other immediate needs.

Factoring can also help businesses to improve their invoice collection rates as factoring companies handle all aspects of accounts receivable for a company. Some businesses enlist the help of factors if they are unable to collect on an invoice. The factoring company will then use its own resources to collect on the invoice, allowing both the business and the factoring company to receive payment.

Many factoring companies will also perform credit checks on new customers in order to determine the risk associated with engaging in a partnership with the new customer. This credit check can also help businesses to assess a credit amount or interest rate for the new customer.

When looking for a factoring company, look for a company that has a high advance rate for invoices, offers fast payment on invoices, has appropriate invoice management tools, and has a good reputation for collecting payment from customers. It may be helpful to review several different factoring companies before selecting the company that’s best for your needs.

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