6、VoIP/WiFi internet router (￡60 approx)
Simon Hurst alerted me to this energy-saving plug adaptor, Paperless recorder which is now available for less than ￡20 from Tesco and Novatech. You attach your main PC (or television) to the master socket, and when you turn it off, any other equipment attached to the panel will also switch off. The sockets are surge protected too.
10、Paperless recorder Buffalo LinkStation network attached storage device (￡240 + VAT)
Unlike our regular Christmas Gadget Paperless recorder Countdown, which focuses on executive toys, technology editor John Stokdyk's selection of hardware devices and peripherals focuses on the essential tools of the accountant's trade.
Sun Microsoft founder John Gage hit the nail on the head 25 years ago when he said, "The network is the computer." Originally designed as a durable platform for military communications, the internet now encompasses huge swathes of human endeavour. In addition to hosting email, blogs, DIY videos and social networks, the net has become "the Cloud" that handles all manner of business functions. In the new world of on demand computing - which looks uncannily like the old fashioned mainframe timesharing model - the power of the machine you plug into the internet is less important than the speed of your connection and the storage and Process calibrator that you use online. Unless you are keen to play computer games, why pay extra for wasted processor cycles? That said, a healthy amount of memory - both RAM and hard drives - never hurts, nor does a good screen or two.
2、Desktop PC (￡500 approx)
The iPhone's coolness may seem superficial, Paperless recorder but the interface does set it apart from other smartphones. The launch of the 3G iPhone this month (aka "the second coming") will broaden its appeal. But will it be able to record video? You can already do that with HP's iPaq 614 Business Navigator, making it a hot contender for the accountant's utility belt. If you've got enough memory, you can record that tax lecture and watch it again when you're in a more receptive frame of mind. With PCs back at base (and the Windows XP Eee in tow), Nigel Harris suggested the Windows-based iPaq or one of the new smartphones from HTC was a more sensible choice than an iPhone. These hybrid phone/PDAs cost around ￡300, but are getting to be so powerful that they could take on a lot of work that might get done on a notebook PC. The small keyboards, screens and memory limitations make smartphones unsuitable for detailed processing work. But they would be a very useful back-up system if the Eee was out of action for any reason.
5、HP Color LaserJet 2840 multifunction printer/scanner/copier/fax/Paperless recorder (RRP ￡439 + VAT)
I was wrong. There are devices that are even less thrilling than PCs Process calibrator. They are called routers. Generally, you plug one into the wall socket and into your computer and ignore it until you lose your internet connection and have to reboot it. Net paranoia discouraged me from considering a wireless router for a long time, but since they're giving them away with a lot of broadband packages, I'm prepared to accept one into my life - and to learn enough to reconfigure the default passwords and settings. Wireless networking means you don't have to pay for all those cables that clutter up the office. D-Link's DVG-G1402S router combines wireless internet with SIP voice protocols and currently heads my shopping list unless I can find a cheaper/better model from other suppliers such as Belkin, Cisco, Netgear or Zyxel.
7、Ergotron DS100 Dual Monitor Desk Stand (￡79 + VAT)
As my colleague and executive peripherals editor Nigel Harris tells me, portability is right at the heart of the new approach to computing. I want to be able to get out and about, but still be able to connect back to the office, check emails and process spreadsheets, presentations and accounts while on the move. Macs aside, the machine that has done the most to diminish the PC's mystique is the Asus Eee PC. The 900 model, launched this spring, has an 8.9in screen and comes with either Linux or Windows XP installed for a starting price of around ￡330 (4GB model). The Asus is a bit weak on aesthetics and ergonomics, but more than makes up for any style shortcomings by packing a solid state card reader and wireless internet connections into a package that fits into a good size jacket or coat pocket.
4、Apple iPhone (RRP ￡329 + VAT or ￡35/month with O2 contract) or HP iPaq 614 (￡265 + VAT)
To make my selection, I imagined myself to be on the verge of setting up as a sole practitioner working from a small office. My aspirations were to be as technically sophisticated as possible within a reasonable budget and to choose equipment that will help my firm grow. View the Top 10 in that light, and consider where and why you might opt for alternatives - particularly if you work in a larger or more demanding office environment. My thanks to all those who contributed to the discussions so far - and I look forward to an ongoing debate.
1、The internet (￡16-￡36 a month)
Very few specialist accountancy applications are available online, so I'm still going to have to invest in a workhorse PC to grind through accounts production, tax and practice management functions - and perhaps to run as a network server if the operation expands. At the moment, ￡500 would get me a Dell Optiplex or HP Compaq model with 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive and 19-in flat screen monitor - more than enough to set me up for the next year or two. PC World has similar capacity Acers, Fujitsus and Levonos for less. If I wanted a higher spec, expandable machine I could upgrade to act as a server, I might see what's available from specialist local suppliers. In truth, however, the desktop PC is probably the least thrilling item on this shopping list.
3、Asus Eee PC 900 (RRP ￡329 + VAT)
With all the basics taken care of, it's time to start considering some useful, but optional extras. Accountancy technology boffins Simon Hurst and Kevin Salter are both big fans of working with two screens at once - allowing you to concentrate on detailed application work on one while you keep email and internet windows open on the other. Kevin's AccountantsPowerTools.co.uk site featured the Erogtron stand as its product of the month for May. The device can hold the screens side-by-side on a single, space-saving base.
8、ColorPage-SF600 Handheld scanner Paperless recorder(￡49 + VAT)
Another favourite device of Kevin Salter's. He comments: "The reality of a personal scanner for everyone is now here - at a very affordable price." In the absence of a heavy duty scanner for capturing all the incoming post and documentation back at the office, the SF600 makes it possible to scan in pages and documents while out and about, for example on audit and due diligence work, or when visiting clients.
9、OneClick IntelliPanel (on offer for ￡16.50 + VAT)
I was toying with the possibility of including a personal video recorder on my business technology essentials list - for professional development purposes, of course. The palm-sized LinkStation costs about the same as a typical PVR, but has a much, much more crucial role to play as a back-up data store. With a terabyte (1TB) of capacity, it will easily hold the entire contents of all my computers - with plenty of room to spare for (business-related) video downloads.
While I have asked colleagues and AccountingWEB members about the computers and devices that make a difference to their working lives, this catalogue of essential hardware and peripherals is based on my personal needs and preferences. This is as it should be for any technology purchase. Computers these days cater for a wide variety of habits and tastes, so the objective for any purchase is to find the gear that most exactly matches your needs.