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Smart card readers: the future is now
A smart card reader is a hand-held device which can read information from debit or credit cards. Smart card readers usually link to a computer via...
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Comparing card terminal costs: facts and figures
Evaluating the true cost of a credit card – or debit card – machine, when looked into carefully, is often a cause for headaches for small business...
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Compare card machine rental options for your business
In the UK, card machine rental is by far the most popular option when small businesses want to upgrade their equipment and start accepting debit or...
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Finding the right chip-and-PIN machine, at the right price
Although these three names are often used interchangeably, “chip-and-PIN” machines are in fact specific types of “PDQ machines” or “credit card...
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The journey of a credit card payment
When you pay for goods or services on your debit or credit card, the transaction appears to take place immediately. A card terminal is used to take...
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How does a credit card reader work?
As “Fintech”, and the new technologies and services it brings keep redefining payments, even credit card readers are starting to look dated – well,...
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How to accept electronic payments anytime, anywhere with...
A credit card terminal is an essential part of any Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) system for retailers who wish to broaden the scope of payment...
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PDQ machines glossary
When it comes to taking debit and credit payments, there is a set of specific terminology that you need to master. PDQ Machines, Merchant Accounts,...
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Your company in a debt factoring arrangement
So what exactly can you expect from the factoring company you trade with? The process of debt factoring is a relatively simple one, but it can be...
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Factoring solutions: a day in the life of an arrangement
Factoring has become a popular cash flow solution: many businesses are now opting to use factoring services as a way of freeing up the cash tied to...
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Best UK factoring companies
If your business sells to commercial customers, you may be able to benefit from a process known as invoice factoring. This is where a company sells...
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How are factoring companies regulated?
Taking out a factoring contract can be a great way to free up capital for your business immediately and taking the burden off your cash flow. It...
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When is invoice discounting smarter than factoring?
Invoice discounting and factoring are both well established types of invoice finance. Whichever one you choose, you will be unlocking cash from...
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Evaluating invoice factoring companies
A factor is the third party debt factoring company to whom invoices are sold for instant remuneration. There are two main types: high street banks...
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What are the costs of invoice factoring?
Because invoice factoring is borrowing money already tied up in an asset, it is a risk-free way of unlocking instant cash for your business. You...
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Investigating business cash flow solutions
The process of cash flow financing will probably be familiar to anyone who has ever run a small company or dealt with business accounting. Very...
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Invoice factoring: what requirements must be met?
The process of invoice factoring involves a business selling its unpaid invoices to a factoring company (the factor) for an advance on the money...
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Introduction to factoring
Cash flow is the life blood of any business, whether large or small. Suppliers and employees must be paid and resources must be found to invest in...
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A detailed introduction to merchant services
As cash transactions are on the wane and retailers have to deal with an ever-expanding list of different payment methods on a daily basis, merchant...
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Cash register scales: models and prices
Cash register scales must be fast, reliable, accurate and meet strict legal requirements. Weight-price or check-out scales – discover the various...
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Buying or renting a cash register?
Purchasing a cash register or point of sale is a significant investment that requires a certain amount of available cash. Renting is a practical,...
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What is the price of a cash register in {year}?
An automatic cash register is undoubtedly the most essential piece of equipment for anyone selling their products in a store. However, the great...
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Automatic cash registers and coin-operated machines:...
So, what exactly is automatic about an automatic cash register? Since the invention of the cash register in 1878, an automatic register is just a...
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Contactless payment solution
Contactless payment has been making an impact in retail for a few years now with the aim of making it easier for us to pay. How does contactless...
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Mobile payment terminal
You know the little device they hand you at the restaurant or in the market so you can enter your PIN to pay by card, it is a key component of a...
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Choosing a credit card reader
You only need a telephone socket and a power supply or an Internet box to install a bank card reader. Your customers simply swipe their card...
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Rental or purchase of a payment terminal
Convinced of the advantages of points of sale and want to equip your business with this electronic payment system? Looking to change your POS and...
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Choosing the right electronic payment terminal
Allowing customers to pay by credit card with the guarantee of being paid is one of the advantages of an electronic point of sale (EPOS) for the...
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Choosing the right GPS tracker for your professional...
GPS trackers are essential tools for the geolocation of vehicles in a company fleet. More and more easily available, different models have emerged...
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Choosing your door access system
Commercial property is vulnerable to burglary, vandalism, intrusion and theft, so you need to make yours as secure as possible. A quality door...
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Cleaning services rates and quotes for businesses
You have decided to use a cleaning company for your premises but you don't know how much it will cost you? You have already identified a service...
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Hygiene standards specific to restaurants, laundries and...
Certain sectors of activity are particularly controlled in order to certify compliance with hygiene standards. Two of them are mainly targeted:...
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Floor cleaning: the two-bucket mopping system
The two-bucket mopping system is an effective and fast floor cleaning technique. Used by many cleaning companies for floor maintenance, it saves...
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Hospital and medical cleaning services
Cleaning medical premises such as doctors' offices, hospitals or laboratories must be carried out meticulously because of the high risk of...
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What are specialised cleaning companies?
So-called "specialised" cleaning companies can provide classic services for offices or buildings insofar as they work for particular sectors of...
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What cleaning services are offered to businesses?
As they are an essential aspect of a healthy working environment and in compliance with hygiene standards, premises cleaning services are mainly...
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What is disaster clean up?
Fire, water damage, short circuit, and other floods are all disasters that can affect a business premises, a building, offices. The challenge of...
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Cleaning services prices: tips to reduce your budget
The cost of commercial cleaning is an important budget item for companies. To reduce costs while keeping hygiene to standards, there are a few tips...
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Common area cleaning: why ask for professional services?
Are you in charge of a building or a condominium? The maintenance of common areas is carried out with the same degree of professionalism as for an...
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Window cleaning: techniques, costs and service providers
Some specific problems (high-rise buildings, many bay windows...) require the intervention of professionals specialized in window cleaning. What...
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Construction and building site cleaning services
Companies involved in construction or renovation projects have a contractual obligation to clean up the premises after their work. Even though it...
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Retail cleaning services for a spotless shop
Cleanliness is essential to a shop’s image as it reassures customers and contributes to commercial success.Retail cleaning services are essential...
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Industrial cleaning of warehouses and supermakets
Due to the large number of visitors, supermarkets and warehouses are subject to an extensive industrial cleaning. What are the main cleaning...
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Hotel cleaning services to ensure customers' comfort
It is in the interest of a hotel to maintain a maximum level of hygiene, because the state of cleanliness contributes to the commercial success of...
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Office cleaning: a highly professionalized service for...
Office cleaning is more than just scanning and collecting garbage cans. The activity has indeed become highly professionalized to meet the...
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Commercial cleaning companies: practical guide
No matter where you work: offices, factories, buildings, warehouses, hospitals, construction sites or hotels, commercial cleaning is essential for...
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Door entry system basics
A door entry system is a critical component of your business premises security infrastructure. It serves as a doorbell and intercom to give you...
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Choosing your business alarm security system
Whilst a good business security alarm system need not cost a fortune, it does represent a major investment. But the return on your investment can...
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Finding the best accounting software for your needs
Cloud computing is the new big trend in business software, and accounting software programs are not immune. Many easy-to-use, hassle-free,...
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Free accounting software - where’s the catch?
Free accounting software represents an attractive option for budget-conscious corporate users - all the more as these products keep offering more...
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Accounting software prices: estimating all the costs
Sometimes, even accountants, those people whose job is to get the numbers right, have no idea of how much the key tool in their toolbox can cost:...
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Choosing the right small business accounting software
Small business managers have all heard about it from marketers or from their colleagues in other companies: there comes a time when small business...
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Online accounting software products: finally right for...
Together with “traditional” accounting software products, running on local machines, there’s now a new category of programs not requiring any...
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Bookkeeping software types
As accounting has evolved from the old, time-consuming, all-paper-based task to a near-fully computer-based activity, the range of bookkeeping...
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Why - and how to - choose a business accounting software...
It all seems like it is more than time to move your big, heavy and confusing accounting books to the basement. As soon as a few regular clients and...
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The basics of business alarm systems
A business security system may take many forms and will generally come down to a compromise between budget resources and desired level of...
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Choosing your security camera system
Whilst the advantages of integrating CCTV cameras into your business security system are obvious, finding the right set up isn’t always so....
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The basics of CCTV systems for business
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a commonly used business security system for recording activity in a designated area. Footage is stored on...
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How much does a hot drinks machine cost?
Buying a coffee machine for your office may be a significant investment, but it could easily pay for itself over time. Just a few hot drinks sales...
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Unsecured business loans: the last resort?
Businesses with few assets which can be used as collateral, like small enterprises, family businesses or start-ups, may have difficulties finding...
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Secured business loans: when - and when not to - get them
Secured business loans are probably the most widespread kind of business loans available. Because they are backed by company assets, banks and...
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How to apply for a business loan?
Truth be told, even if it is incredibly difficult these days for companies, especially small and medium enterprises, to find a bank which accepts...
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How does equipment leasing work?
Equipment leasing is an easy, immediately cheap and widely available way to get business equipment with little initial investment. Businesses of...
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Equipment lease VS purchase: making the right choice
With so many equipment lease providers, it’s easy for any business, of any size, in any industry, to have a choice between leasing and purchasing....
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Choosing the right business loan
The market for business loans is a rather odd one. On the one hand, you have banks massively advertising cheap and easy loans for any business. On...
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What determines business loan interest rates?
Business loan interest rates vary greatly from one type of loan to another, from one lender to another, and of course, from one borrower to...
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What is a borrowing base and how to calculate it
Because the lender needs to know as accurately as possible how solid a business is in order to evaluate the risk of a loan, and the amounts which...
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Asset-based loan and factoring, two different financial...
Asset-based loans are often confused with factoring. If it is true that these two types of business finance have a few things in common, they...
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What is an asset-based lending?
Asset-based lending is a great way to finance business operations, as it is based on quickly-moving assets - thereby allowing beneficiary...
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Business energy challenge: controlling costs amid rising...
The need for a reliable, reasonably-priced source of energy is common to every UK business. Thanks to supply chain complexities, the UK commercial...
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Buying or renting a coffee machine
Once you have chosen the type of coffee machine that best suits your office and checked out the different suppliers, the only question remaining is...
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What does a tradesman insurance cover?
Contrary to most other business insurance products discussed elsewhere in this guide, a tradesman insurance is not defined by what it does, but by...
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Does your business need a tool insurance?
In almost every business, tools are needed to turn ideas into reality. Just as a plumber needs his benders, wrenches and snakes, a photographer...
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Choosing a shop insurance
In the event that something terrible happens to the store, which could destroy all stocks, insurers have developed specific products to give more...
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What is included in a self-employed insurance?
Yes, even when you are doing your work from home as a sole trader, you need a business insurance, because you don’t want to find yourself in...
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Is restaurant insurance only designed for restaurants?
Restaurant insurance is a kind of insurance product designed for… restaurants. It’s in fact not so much a single insurance product, than a bundle...
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Which businesses need professional indemnity insurance?
Yes, everybody makes mistakes. But try telling that to a client after your mistake cause this client to lose thousands or millions of pounds: the...
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What does a product liability insurance cover?
When one of the goods you make, transform or simply sell with your brand on it directly causes harm to a customer, you find yourself very, very...
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Key person insurance for indispensable collaborators
Sometimes, some collaborators are so indispensable in the daily operations of a business that if these individual people disappear unexpectedly,...
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Finding your way in the insurance claim jungle
So, here you are, here it is. A very unfortunate event has happened to your business and your only hope is your insurance policy. But fortunately,...
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Should you consider a goods in transit insurance?
Goods are insured when they are being made or stocked, at the manufacturer’s factory, at the importer’s and exporter’s warehouses, all the way to...
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Protect your business against unpaid invoices with credit...
When businesses rely on only a few clients, and sell products or services with very small margins, the risk of non-payment can have devastating...
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Business travel insurance
In today’s globally-integrated business world, collaborators more often than not need to travel to foreign countries, sometimes on a regular basis,...
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What you need to know about business stock insurance
Business stock insurance is a specific kind of business insurance which comes into play when stocks of goods are either stolen, damaged or lost....
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Compensate a loss of revenue with business interruption...
What happens if production in your company is suddenly brought to a halt by events beyond your control? What if the roof falls onto equipment worth...
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Estimating the cost of a business insurance
As businesses grow and start generating more revenue, many business owners become obsessed with insuring as many aspects of their operations as...
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What is business equipment insurance?
Business equipment insurance is a kind of business insurance policy very similar to a business contents insurance, inasmuch as it covers the theft,...
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Protect your material from loss or theft with business...
Business contents insurance policies are more and more frequently subscribed by business of all sizes to protect the company’s material belongings...
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Xerox photocopiers
More than any other company on the market, Xerox means copiers. Indeed, the history of this company is so linked with photocopying, that it is...
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Toshiba photocopiers
Known for its computer products, Toshiba of Japan also produces a wide range of copiers. Toshiba photocopiers meet the needs of businesses of all...
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Sharp photocopiers
Sharp, the Japanese company known for its televisions and computing products, also produces one of the widest ranges of photocopiers on the market....
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Choosing a Samsung photocopier: a few facts and figures
Samsung is a South-Korean company founded in 1938, and is the biggest chaebol (business conglomerate) of the country. It is involved in...
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Samsung fax machines
Samsung, the Korean “chaebol” which manufactures almost every kind of consumer and business electronic products, has naturally developed a large...
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Ricoh photocopiers: the sustainable solution for your...
Ricoh, founded in 1936, is a Japanese multinational imaging and electronics company manufacturing, among other products, printers and copiers....
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From thermal transfer to laser technology: discover the...
Philips is a Dutch company with more than 120 years of existence. It is one of the largest electronics companies, present in 60 countries and...
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Panasonic fax machines: products and solutions
Founded in Japan by Konosuke Matsushita in 1918, Panasonic is a world leader in various fields, but its main area of expertise is electronics. The...
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Olivetti photocopiers: products and services
Olivetti was founded in 1908 in Turin, Italy. Now part of the Telecom Italia Group, the company continues to grow with innovative practices and...
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Konica Minolta photocopiers: a wide range of solutions...
Konica Minolta is considered a leader in office equipment, not only in the UK but also in all 35 countries where it operates. The brand is famous...
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HP photocopiers
HP has been one of the most recognisable brands in office equipment since its inception more than 80 years ago. Known by the individual consumer...
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HP fax machines
Over the years, HP has been producing a large number of industry-acclaimed business fax machines, either as traditional, standalone fax machines,...
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Canon photocopiers
Canon of Japan is one of the world’s most reputed and popular manufacturers of photocopiers. But after all, isn’t it natural for a company which...
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Canon fax machines
Known for its cameras and printers, Canon is also a reputed manufacturer of fax machines. Notable fax machines include both regular fax machines...
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Brother photocopiers
Brother is one of the most well-known producers of photocopiers globally. While photocopiers are not Brother’s original business, the Japanese...
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Brother fax machines
Brother has been at the forefront of innovation in fax machines for nearly thirty years. The current range of Brother fax machines include...
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How do wireless printers and fax machines work?
Nightmares of office workers are usually full of wires. A cable for this, a cable for that, a table too far, a printer to high, an obsolete cable...
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Top 5 portable photocopiers and printers in the UK in {year}
Some business professionals may need to manage printed documents anytime, anywhere. Sure, now one can take pictures of anything anywhere with a...
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UK’s top 8 photocopier suppliers – and how to get the...
With so many models and brands on the UK market, it may look like a daunting task to compare photocopier suppliers. Although each manufacturer...
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A review of photocopier prices
Most modern photocopiers are in fact multi-function printers (MFPs) which can scan and print documents as well as copy them. Yet, as technologies...
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Getting photocopier lease and photocopier rental plans right
In the UK, thousands of businesses small and large choose to rent or lease their photocopiers.At a time when the price of copiers has come down...
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Features and advantages of laser fax machines
Sending a fax is as fast as a simple phone call, it’s really handy in situations where no computer or internet connection is available, and it’s...
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Features and advantages of laser copiers
Because of their price, laser copiers used to be the dream of many small business owners, a kind of status symbol which meant the company was...
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Inkjet fax machines: facts and figures
Fax technology isn’t new, and although they were ubiquitous in offices around the world during the 1980s, fax machines tend to disappear in favour...
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Choosing and obtaining your fax number
Although fax machines’ popularity peaked in the 1980s, they’re still very popular in homes and offices around the world. They represent a rational...
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Choosing a fax machine in {year}
If at least in the UK, fax machines are becoming a rarity, some businesses still need the convenience of a dedicated device for sending and...
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Finding the best fax machine price
Fax technology dates back to the mid-19th century, so it’s obviously a tried-and-tested medium. Appreciated for their reliability and practicality,...
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Save space and money with a desktop photocopier
Photocopiers are no longer necessarily big, bulky office machines weighing a metric ton, or rare and expensive little devices with miserable...
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How to choose a colour photocopier for your business?
While in most businesses the need for a photocopier can be quickly identified, the decision to get a colour photocopier often leads to more...
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All you should know before buying a photocopier
Although ubiquitous in companies around the world, photocopiers are not one and the same. They may fulfill more or less the same task, yet it is...
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A few tips on buying a fax machine
Although fax technology may be considered outdated in the 21st century, nothing could be further from the truth. Fax machines are still a staple of...
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Choosing and buying an A3 printer and photocopier
With over 90% of printers sold on the market limited to A4 in terms of paper size, A3 printers surely represent a niche. It’s a little different...
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3D printers: for what types of business?
Reality is closing in on fiction. With 3D printers, many science-fiction themes such as the dream of replicating any objects illustrated in many...
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3D printer prices, getting cheaper and cheaper... cheap...
As 3D printing is becoming more popular, 3D printer prices are becoming more affordable. But in a few years’ time, a great many number of brands...
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VOIP, bringing IP telephony to your home and office
Digitalisation has enabled the internet to carry more than raw numbers and data: it can now also carry voice. This means that all phone calls may...
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VDSL - ADSL on steroids
Although this internet connection standard was developed immediately after the first iterations of ADSL, it took much longer for VDSL to reach...
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Telecom providers in the UK
Since the deregulations of the telecommunications market in the late 1980s, and as new technologies have been entering the market, telecom...
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Softphones, delivering unified communications to boost...
With more and more voice communications being carried over through the internet, softphones are becoming more and more popular. Because they are...
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SDSL - DSL for those who want to have it both ways?
After ADSL and VDSL, meet SDSL, the third instalment in the digital subscriber line internet connection technologies. Much less know by the general...
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Phone systems, a necessary addition to your business...
Telecom providers now propose much more elaborate solutions than a simple phone line and desk phone for their business users. Because these...
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Optical fibre, a giant leap for broadband?
After years of reliance on DSL and cable technologies, optical fibre, more often than not simply referred to as “fibre” is being touted as a...
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Become truly ubiquitous with non-geographic numbers
Non-geographic numbers are now widely used by a variety of organisations, from government offices to TV stations, including customer service...
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What is an MVNO?
MVNOs are a relatively recent addition to the spectrum of mobile phone operators which appeared in the last decade. Standing for Mobile Virtual...
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Three UK, no longer only a 3G specialist
Three is a telecommunications provider and network carrier in the UK which enjoys the strategic advantage of owning its cellular networks. Although...
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O2 Business broadband
While O2 has become a household name in the UK, few people know about the interesting history of this telecommunications provider. Also, many...
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EE: Everything Everywhere... finally going somewhere?
EE, formerly known as Everything Everywhere, is a very recent addition to the landscape of UK’s telecommunications operators. Providing mobile...
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ADSL, now with added benefits using ADSL2 or ADSL2+
Contrary to what many consumers could believe, ADSL technology has kept evolving to become faster, more reliable, more feature-rich internet...
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Panasonic phone systems: a complete offer for businesses
Panasonic is one of the largest international manufacturers of telephone equipment. Their product range include PBX and SIP phone systems such as...
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Cisco phone systems: a product portfolio update
Cisco is the world’s largest purveyor of unified communication technology products. Their enterprise telephony product portfolio consists of PBX...
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BT Business phone systems
As the largest telecom provider in the UK, BT has been building up a very complete series of services and plans, tailor-made for businesses. BT...
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Liability for unpaid invoice and factoring: who’s...
While factoring looks like a handy service to generate instant cash from yet-to-be settled invoices, the final customer still has to pay the bill...
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Best UK coffee vending machine suppliers
Finding the best coffee machine supplier is an important business decision, so it would be best to carry out a little research into the market to...
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Worldpay: merchant services
Worldpay has grown into one of the world’s biggest payment solutions providers with a strong focus on small and medium-sized business as well as...
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Universal Payment Gateway - a truly universal payment...
Universal Payment Gateway - often more modestly styled as UPG - is a relatively new payment services provider supplying end-to-end credit and debit...
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Transax merchant services
Transax merchant services are provided by Transax, a little-known player in the Epos industry, but with a long history and wide operational range....
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Shopify payments
Shopify is an e-commerce platform which evolved into a complete online Epos with the addition of Shopify payments, a payment gateway. The story...
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Sharp Epos systems for the discerning business customer
Well known for its consumer electronics products, Sharp is also a provider of business hardware and solutions. Sharp Epos systems are highly...
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Secure Trading, a growing merchant services provider
Secure Trading is a relatively recent addition to the market of merchant services providers, but has managed to develop a complete offer of...
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Sage Epos
Sage is a very popular B2B software publisher which quickly gained a large share of the UK market for credit card processing services. Sage Epos...
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RBS merchant services
RBS, or the Royal Bank of Scotland is a major UK-based, global bank providing nearly every conceivable financial service to its private and...
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Lloyds merchant services
Lloyds merchant services are provided by Lloyds, one of the oldest banks in the UK, and as a matter of fact, one of the oldest banks in the world....
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Lightspeed POS software
Lightspeed is a software publisher specialising in the very strategic field of Electronic Point of Sale System software. After ten years of...
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J2 Retail Systems
J2 Retail Systems is a British-based manufacturer of complete Epos systems. Since its inception more than a decade ago, this provider has been...
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Google merchant account
Such a far-reaching company as Google - well, in fact, the company is now called Alphabet -, aiming to actually become synonymous with the world...
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Global payments
Global Payments is a relatively new player on the market of card payment processing in the UK, but with relatively ancient roots in the US....
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First Data Merchant solutions
First Data Merchant solutions is an already established merchant banking institution providing merchant solutions and payment systems to its...
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Epos Now
Epos Now is a relatively recent addition to the market of Epos Providers. Completely based online, it focuses on cloud offers, providing complete...
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EPOS Direct
EPOS Direct is a one-stop-shop provider for all EPOS products and services a business might need to install a modern point-of-sale equipment to its...
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Casio Epos
The well-known Japanese manufacturer or clocks, watches and calculators is also a respected Epos provider, after producing cash registers for over...
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Barclays merchant services
Barclays merchant services have been on the market for many years - actually, for centuries. Today, it’s under the brand Barclaycard that these...
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PayPal merchant services and PayPal virtual terminal
Launched in 1998, PayPal has become the most popular e-commerce resource for accepting credit card payments, with over 179 million active accounts...
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Magento payment gateways
Magento is a popular, if not the most popular e-commerce platform, used by millions of online businesses around the world. In order to accept...
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Which Epos is right for my Magento?
Magento is probably the most powerful, and certainly one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. But with click-and-mortar becoming a more and...
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First Data’s move into a simple and all-inclusive Epos...
Do you know what a clover is? It’s that symbol ?. But you can find it only on a Mac keyboard, as it is used as a command key. The relation with...
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Ultimate Finance: flexible funding solutions for SMEs
Over the last 15 years, Ultimate Finance has been developing a whole range of banking products dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes, but...
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ABN Amro’s factoring and invoice discounting solutions
For more than two decades, ABN Amro UK has been providing banking products to retail, private and commercial customers all over the globe. ABN...
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Eden Springs: multiple solutions for professionalsEden...
Eden Springs UK Ltd is the UK market leader in the water cooler industry and a national player in the coffee and coffee machine business. It...
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BWT: Europe’s leading water supplier
BWT UK Limited is part of the Best Water Technology (BWT) Group, Europe’s leading water technology company. It specializes in water treatment...
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The Water Delivery Company: London’s leading bottled...
The Water Delivery Company is a family business founded in 2003, which supplies bottled water coolers within London. The current base is of over...
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AquAid: water for a better world
On a global level, the water business is a very competitive one. In Europe, several companies supply private homes and professionals alike with all...
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A few things you should know about water cooler prices
As pollution and water shortages are more and more visible issues, it is not always easy to have access to proper, pure drinking water. And it...
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Install a water cooler filter for pure, clean water
One of the main reasons why water dispensers are so popular nowadays is because they supply clean, unadulterated water. As a matter of fact, tap...
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Plumbed-in water coolers: a sensible solution
As far as water dispensers are concerned, there are so many types and models it’s often difficult to make a choice. Satisfying your staff and...
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Warm up to hot water dispensers
Water coolers are an essential feature of modern offices and waiting rooms, always appreciated by staff and customers alike. Why not go the extra...
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Countertop water coolers: a refreshing alternative
Whether in an office, a shop or a public area, free access to pure, clean drinking water is always appreciated. Therefore, water coolers have in...
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A few tips on how to clean your water cooler
Water dispensers are nowadays present in many offices, staff kitchens and waiting rooms around the world. They are convenient, affordable, easy to...
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Bottled water coolers: a simple and cheap solution for...
Mobility, simplicity and affordability are key notions in the business world. From freestanding units to countertop machines, bottled water coolers...
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Go green with atmospheric water generators
As the hard facts of the water crisis becomes more visible every day, it is important to make sure we still get a steady supply of pure drinking...
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Third party payment processors
Third party payment processors represent an alternative from the full merchant bank’s Epos package, allowing business users to rely on a third...
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Choosing the right online payment system for your website
A website introducing items for sale without an online payment system is not an e-commerce, it’s just a virtual shop window on the internet.As...
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Offshore merchant accounts for high-risk, fast-paced...
Offshore merchant accounts are something quite special in the world of merchant services.Many talks about it, everybody has a strong opinion about...
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Mobile credit card machines: choosing the right...
With mobile credit card machines, anything can be sold literally anywhere. With the hardware getting smaller and smaller, the software more and...
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Merchant accounts for small businesses: a quick market...
Opening a merchant account is a necessary prerequisite in order to start accepting debit or credit card payments. The good news is, merchant...
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Virtual terminals: how do they work, and who are they...
A virtual terminal is a great way to process credit card payments in “card-not-present” situations, for example over the phone or via mail order...
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Choosing a Pos printer
Business owners and sales staff will logically have to print out receipts, but also barcodes or labels for their customers, so Pos printers are an...
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Point of sale fraud: new threats, new controls
Back in the days, point of sale fraud was just a petty point of sale theft, with staff or visitors simply taking money out of the cash drawer. As...
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Are free Epos software packages really worth it?
Yes, the trend of community-based, open-source software development has also affected the Epos universe. Some software products can be found, which...
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Make the switch to the new telephone switchboards
Fortunately, telephone switchboards no longer need a dedicated room to fit in and one or more receptionists to pull wires from here and plug them...
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Sip trunking, the ultimate phone system?
Sip trunking (Session Initiation Protocol) is one standard for a type of Voice-over-IP internet connection allowing the connection of a private...
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Why quality of service matters - and how to improve it
At a time when so many everyday business operations - and more often than not, simultaneous operations - rely on an internet connection to be...
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Specialty coffees at the office: the sky is the limit
Today’s office coffee machines offer much more than just a straight cup of joe. Not only will you find a broad range of flavours and styles, you’ll...
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Understanding PBX phone systems
Understanding how PBX phone systems work is fundamental to understand modern phone systems in general. Private Branch Exchange systems are actually...
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The different types of multi line phone systems
Multi line phone systems allow businesses to transfer any incoming call to the right contact within the company network - and also allow any...
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IP PBX: the modern PBX
While many professionals from the telephone systems industry now indifferently use PBX and IP PBX to refer to the same thing, the latter is...
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Hosted PBX and virtual PBX systems
Hosted PBX systems, also known as virtual PBX, seem to bring many advantages over a “traditional” PBX system, and are attracting more and more...
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Cloud PBX systems: what are they, and are they really...
Businesses interested in switching to a modern phone system may be confused with the number of concepts which seem to refer to more or less the...
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The unexpected technology behind call centre systems
Call centres have become ubiquitous in the life of every consumer and in the daily activity of any business, as they are the first point of contact...
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Invoice payment terms - and how to have them abided by
Businesses may arrange many kinds of invoice payment terms to decide when the invoice will actually get paid. Typical invoice payment terms may be...
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Evaluating the importance of a cash flow forecast
The key benefit of factoring is to provide some visibility on a company’s cash flow when it is uncertain its clients will pay their invoices in due...
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Understanding factoring rates
Before benchmarking factoring service providers, and the prices of their offerings, it’s important to exactly understand how factoring rates apply,...
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How factoring brokers can help
Once businesses have made the decision to resort to factoring or receivables finance, the sheer number of available options and market players may...
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Export finance: not just receivables finance, but trade...
Export finance is a financial product, sometimes proposed by the most established invoice financing firms. As the name suggests, this facility is...
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Credit factoring explained
Although credit factoring is often completely assimilated with factoring - and debt factoring -, the concept has a few specificities.Because this...
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How does confidential invoice discounting work?
Besides traditional, widely used invoice financing options such as invoice discounting and factoring, lesser-known variants exist. Offered by a few...
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Reverse factoring: when buyers take charge
Just like export finance relates to trade finance as much as to receivables finance, reverse factoring, also known as approved payables finance, is...
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Market invoice - the financial services provider
Market invoice is an innovative, fast growing provider of financial services known for their invoice financing services, founded in 2011. Market...
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Lloyds factoring
A well known institution since... 1765, Lloyds Bank has developed a comprehensive set of services in factoring. This enormous banking institution...
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IGF invoice finance
IGF invoice finance is provided by IGF, a commercial banking pure player. Although IGF started business only recently, it has grown to be a...
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HSBC invoice finance
HSBC invoice finance is one series of receivables finance products offered by HSBC, a well-known universal bank in the UK and abroad, providing...
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Hitachi capital
Although the brand name is universally known for its consumer electronics products, few business people outside Japan know about Hitachi capital....
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Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Close Brothers Invoice Finance is the invoice financing arm of Close Brothers Group. Their product range is therefore restricted to various invoice...
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Bibby Financial Services
Bibby Financial Services is a major provider of various financial services for business of all sizes, with a particular focus on invoice financing,...
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Aldermore invoice finance: giving more to SMEs
Founded in 2009, Aldermore immediately launched Aldermore invoice finance products, as it has been targeting the small and medium enterprises...
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Touch Financial services: brokered invoice finance
Touch Finance services differ from those of other financial solutions providers in this guide. In fact, Touch Finance acts as a broker comparing...
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Santander invoice finance
Santander invoice finance is just one of the banking services offered by Santander, one of the largest retail banks in the UK. Providing financial...
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RBS invoice finance
RBS invoice finance services are part of the business banking services provided by RBS, one of the most widely known British retail bankers. After...
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Metro Bank, the first new high street bank
Metro Bank is a large banking corporation providing universal banking services to small and large businesses as well as individual, personal...
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Import finance: the solution to engage in international...
Import finance is a specific receivables finance product designed for importers, enabling them to receive near-immediate payment for their...
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Understanding and evaluating barcode scanners
Barcode scanners are a must add-on to any Epos system used by most businesses in the retail industry, where all products have barcodes on their...
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Choosing an Epos cash drawer
Despite the development of electronic payments, cash is still massively used for consumer transactions, especially in the hospitality and catering...
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Are iPad Epos systems ready for you?
One of the new trends for improving customer experience is allowing in-store customers to avoid the pain point of queuing, by using mobile checkout...
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Picking the gem among Epos suppliers
There is definitely a great number of qualified, reliable Epos suppliers in the UK these days. Most of them provide excellent service, and prices...
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How to weigh your choice of Epos scales
Because the price of some items is still based on their weight, especially in grocery or specialty stores, and because customers appreciate to be...
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Epos rental: the smart choice to modernise your point of...
With the many components, from different suppliers, involved in an electronic point of sale system, many businesses find it extremely expensive to...
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How to buy the Epos that’s right for your business
Selecting a full Epos system is no easy task. There are basically as many reasons to hesitate as there are elements in an Epos system, and...
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Vehicle tracking system installation: as easy as 123?
Tracking devices have become so ubiquitous that vehicle tracking system installation is seldom seen as a factor when considering the choice of the...
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Vehicle tracking law: do’s and don’ts
Professionals interested in tracking commercial vehicle fleets should be aware that vehicle tracking laws apply. While most of the benefits and...
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An inside track on van tracking
In between simple passenger car tracking and truck tracking systems, small business delivery fleets are more likely to need simple van tracking...
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Transportation management systems: linking your...
Installing vehicle tracking systems on a commercial fleet is a clever move, but businesses miss out on many related benefits when they stop short...
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Taxi tracking solutions to uberise your business
If there’s one industry that epitomises the revolution at play in modern business more than any other, it’s certainly the taxi industry. The rise...
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Pros and cons of passive vehicle tracking devices
With passive vehicle tracking devices, as opposed to active vehicle tracking devices, collected data can only be transferred to the system...
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Where to get a cheap vehicle tracker?
With GPS and RFID technologies becoming more mainstream, it’s now possible to get relatively cheap vehicle trackers. Of course, the price of the...
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Pros and cons of active vehicle tracking devices
Active vehicle tracking devices are quickly taking over the market. This type of devices transmits data in real time to the fleet manager, through...
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Coffee machine leasing
As heavy-duty, industrial coffee machines can represent a significant initial investment for businesses, many companies are now looking into the...
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Filter coffee machines - still a hot item?
Filter coffee machines have long been a mainstay of offices, as they represent the simplest and usually the most affordable option for brewing...
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Which coffee machine should you choose?
There are a lot of office coffee machines and vendors out there to choose from, so making the right choice will take a small investment of your...
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Unleash the barista in you with bean to cup coffee machines
Distinguished visitors and valued employees will feel much more privileged to work in your offices when treated a freshly ground, quality coffee...
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Coffee pod machines, the new office stars?
These little counter-top machines have made their ways to millions of homes in the past decade. As standards are being open-sourced, extending the...
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Commercial coffee machines: the cup winners
Commercial coffee machines for bars, pubs and restaurants come in many styles, at very different prices. The many models available can be grouped...
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Finding the right coffee vending machines
Miniaturisation and the introduction of chip-card payment modules mean that coffee vending machines no longer need to be as big as a common...
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Cost of vending machines - and how the business actually...
The business of vending machines seems attractive to many entrepreneurs, who think there isn’t much to do apart from buying the machine, filling it...
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Industrial vending machines, the new cost-killers
Vending machines are not only there to sell the usual bag of crisps, sodas and candies in a company’s recreation room. The recent rise of...
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Pros and cons of school vending machines
More and more schools, colleges, universities are now equipped with vending machines, distributing anything from candies to coffees, soups, fruits,...
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Vending machine suppliers: buy direct from the...
Any business interested in finding vending machine suppliers may look into two possibilities: getting the machine directly from the manufacturer or...
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Fleet management solutions to empower efficient field...
Fleet management solutions have many benefits for interested companies.First, they empower efficient field service management, which comes with...
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Vehicle tracking costs
Vehicle tracking costs greatly vary according to a number of factors, including the key alternative between active and passive systems.Before...
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Truck tracking specifics
As technology becomes more reliable and affordable, road haulage companies are increasingly switching to truck tracking.Advanced fleet management...
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Understanding VOIP systems
Voice of Internet Protocol - or VOIP - systems are now quite mature enough to meet the sound quality and reliability standards needed by most...
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Advantages and disadvantages of a VOIP system for small...
A VOIP system for small business comes in with many advantages, both on the technological side and on the economical side. With VOIP systems,...
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Big features of small business phone systems
Business owners or IT specialists are often confused when they need to choose and install a small business phone system.The good news is that there...
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Which business phone solution is right for me?
Setting up and installing a business phone system isn’t as complicated as it used to be. Competition and technology have made private branch...
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Top energy-saving tips for businesses
It won’t surprise anyone that businesses spend more, much more than private households for their energy bills. And with rising IT needs such as...
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Vodafone for business - more than a mobile carrier
Mostly known by UK consumers as a mobile phone carrier, Vodafone offers a wider range of services to business customers. Under the umbrella slogan...
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Business phone and broadband deals bringing more to the...
As workforce, data and communication needs grow, small companies should start thinking about switching to enterprise-specific business phone and...
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Orange Business Services UK, a full-service offering for...
Orange Business Services is a global provider of business communication equipment and services. Enjoying a global footprint and one of the most...
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Spot factoring, an interesting alternate factoring scheme...
For many small and medium enterprises factoring seems like a difficult solution because factors will require a regular number of invoices for them...
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Receivables finance, or how to turn the problem of unpaid...
Receivables finance is a concept, called by many other names, which basically means that a company’s invoices will be paid by a financier before...
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Debt factoring: advantages and disadvantages
Although debt factoring looks like a handy solution to generate quick cash-flow, an in-depth investigation reveals that debt factoring has...
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Recourse factoring and non-recourse factoring: who...
The biggest question when resorting to debt factoring is: what happens if the final customer, who place the order and received the goods or...
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What’s the difference between a payment gateway and a...
Many aspiring e-commerce managers, or non-technical members of staff may be confused by the number of concepts at stake in online payment systems....
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Points to watch when selecting an online payment gateway
Setting up an online payment system is now much more open than it long used to be. Rather than being tied to an all-inclusive offer provided by...
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Necessary documentation to open a gateway account
Also known as a third-party merchant, a payment gateway account is basically the same thing as a merchant account, except that the gateway is used...
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Understanding how a payment gateway works
A payment gateway is a service used by e-commerce websites which processes and authorizes online payments made by debit or credit cards. While the...
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Sagepay merchant accounts, an interesting alternative to...
Not many businesses would think about Sage as a financial institution, capable of offering all the services related to a merchant account. However,...
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List of merchant services providers in the UK and how to...
Merchant services providers are the necessary partners to any business accepting payments by credit card or debit card. As “one-stop shops”, they...
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Merchant accounts: packaged solutions for the new...
For many businesses, the traditional bank is the first-stop shop for anything related to payment processing. All major financial institutions have...
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PDQ machines for small businesses: why and how to get them?
It’s official: electronic money has now replaced cash as the most widespread payment method in the UK.In 2017, 13.2 billion payments were made with...
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Are PDQ terminals created equal?
Every retailer now needs to process electronic card payments - and with the introduction of contactless payments, even the bakery down the street...
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The changing landscape of ePos till system providers and...
The ePos till system market has suddenly become much more complex and diversified.New technological choices have made it possible for cashless...
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Which ePos is right for a retailer?
Retailers are usually the first professionals coming to mind when thinking about electronic points of sale. In fact, this industry has always been...
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Which ePos is right for a restaurant?
The latest electronic point of sale (ePos) systems are so flexible that special features may be developed to better match the special needs of...
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ePos software, the real driving force of a succesful ePos...
An electronic point of sale will only ever be as good and productive as the software that is used to make the whole ePos system work. While the...
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Hardware and software components of an ePos system
There is so much more to an ePos system than the plain old whirring-and-ringing old cash register. Because payment methods have evolved, and in...
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What is ePos?
Few acronyms should make more sense to any retailer or shopkeeper than "ePos". As the final point of contact between the business and the customer,...
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An introduction to office coffee machines
Why would you need a coffee machine for the office? For many of us a workday without coffee is simply unimaginable. Offering good quality coffee to...
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Franking machine costs: getting the right numbers
While any business owner interested in a franking machine will quickly find out how much he or she can save on postage rates by using franked mail,...
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Franking prices: why there’s more to the story than Royal...
When studying the opportunity of equipping one’s business with a franking device, one must consider that for the global cost of a franking machine...
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Pitney Bowes franking machines
If your independent supplier only has one franking machine to sell, it will most likely be a Pitney Bowes. With a global turnover of over $3.81...
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Pros and cons of franking machine rental
Franking machine rental is a great option for businesses which would like to benefit from Royal Mail’s discount policy on franking prices, but...
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Finding a way out of Royal Mail’s business prices jungle
The leading postal services provider in the UK has developed a rich offering directly aimed at business users. Apart from franking discounts, Royal...
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Why buy a franking machine? Basic features and advantages
Although franking machines may represent a significant investment for businesses, their many benefits ensure steady returns. A brief description of...
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Pre-paid envelopes or franking machine?
Using pre-paid envelopes is a widely available means to increase productivity, as it saves the burden of sticking stamps onto each mail sent....
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How Mailmark revolutionizes franking
Mailmark is a new system introduced by Royal Mail in 2014. It is revolutionary in more ways than one: as a new generation of franking mark, it...
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Franking, a win-win evolution for both Royal Mail and...
Generally speaking, franking refers to the simple action of materializing the payment for postage, no matter what marking is used. However, the...
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What we exactly get – and don’t get – with first class...
More than 4 million items are sent every year using first class postage. Royal Mail aims to deliver these items the next working day, including...
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{year} postage rates and franking discounts
Postage rates differ according to many factors. While it’s obvious that the price will change depending on the item type (letter, parcel, under...
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FP Mailing franking machines
FP Mailing, commonly known as FP, is one of the leading global manufacturers of mailing equipment, such as franking machines, letter...
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Choosing the right franking labels for your franking machine
Franking labels are basically DIY stamps, pasted onto the envelope or parcel, on which the franking value is printed. Such labels offer great ease...
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What is Chip and Pin?
Chip and Pin mobile card machines are a key piece of equipment for today's successful businesses and professionals. It gives your business the...
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Credit Card Software Systems for your Business
Credit card software makes it possible to accept credit card payments from your customers on-site, using your business computer or using an online...
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Pay by Mobile Phone
Applications that allow you to safely pay by mobile phone are fast, easy and convenient. Using your mobile phone for payments means you have round...
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The rfid reader: what you need to know
What is a rfid reader? A 'Radio-frequency identification' reader. It quickly and securely transmits your customer's banking data to their bank...
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Comparing mobile card payment machines prices for...
Mobile payment terminals accept credit and debit cards without the need for a fixed landline. They use GPRS through a trusted mobile network to...
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Credit Card Security for your Business
The importance of providing adequate credit card security for your customer base can't be over-emphasised. In 2013, US retailer Target was...
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How mobile payments can benefit your business?
Mobile phones have never been so ubiquitous and never so smart. In fact, in some countries, there are now more mobile phones than credit cards. At...
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Magnetic Stripe Readers : Their Place in Electronic Point...
Any business or professional, such as a retailer, service provider or health care professional, will need an Electronic Point of Sale system (EPOS)...
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Getting the right card payment terminal – and getting it...
A card payment terminal or “credit card machine” is, quite obviously, the required device to allow credit card or debit card transactions in any...
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The advantages of using smart card readers in commerce
Smart card reader will be a crucial part of most examples of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems. Because of their convenience and security,...
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What is PCI DSS and why is it important to my business?
PCI DSS stands for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, and every retailer using EPOS solutions needs to be aware of what PCI DSS...
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Business Copiers and Printers: how to make the right choice
Copiers and printers are vital parts of the equipment of any business small or large. Very often, a printer is the first piece of hardware...
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Vehicle tracking systems for businesses: the complete guide
Vehicle tracking systems are now a part of everyday life for almost all individuals, who appreciate them for the reliable routes they allow to...
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Introduction to franking machines
Following on the 38% stamp price increase in 2012 and the ever-present threat of further increases, many businesses are looking to franking...
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Security systems for business premises: playing it safe
Your place of business is one of your most precious assets. It houses stock, expensive electronic devices, vehicles and important documents as well...
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Small business guide to fuel cards
If your small business operates a fleet of vehicles, the cost of fuel may be one of your biggest recurring expenses. With prices consistently on...
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The basics of UK business insurance
Commercial and business insurance are necessary to protect your business and its assets, employees and customers from unforeseen losses or damages....
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Vehicle fleet insurance for non-dummies
A pedestrian hit me and went under my carThis well-worn joke inadvertently highlights the dual-purpose nature of motor insurance: it is designed to...
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Fuel cards for small business
Fuel cards are an increasingly popular solution for small businesses looking to reduce their fleet costs.Fuel cards have been around for decades,...
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Fighting credit card fraud
Chip & PIN technology helps reduce card fraud, but a healthy dose of vigilance is also necessaryTotal fraud losses on UK debit and credit cards...
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Payroll management made easy
Payday! Employees love it. Payroll administrators dread it. Why? Because processing hours worked, deductions, and vacation or sick leave for your...
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Choosing your business phone system
You run a small or medium-size business. You and your staff communicate regularly by phone with customers, suppliers and each other. You need a...
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Outsourced accounting for small business success
Outsourcing your accounting functions can be a great strategic choice, especially for small businesses: by focusing resources on core competencies...
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Choosing a time and attendance system
Automated employee time management systems can make a critical contribution to your company’s bottom line. Time and attendance systems allow you to...
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Why every UK business needs vending machines on site
There are two reasons to invest in vending machines for your business premises: to offer refreshments to visiting customers or business partners,...
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Wireless printers coming of age
Wireless computers and telephones are now the norm, and wireless printers are also growing in popularitySome users have hesitated to adopt wireless...
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Doing it all with multifunction printer-copiers
A multifunction printer-copier offers small businesses a full-range document management solution.A multifunction printer-copier represents a simple...
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Why is VoIP cheaper than standard phone systems?
A VoIP phone system can help businesses cut costs and run more efficientlyWith a standard phone line digital voice signals are transmitted through...
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Business air conditioning systems are cool
Why bother installing a professional air conditioning system for your business? Because a controlled workspace temperature will help both your...
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Features of a good air conditioning system
When looking to install a new heating and air conditioning system for your business you need to consider more than just the cost.Choosing the right...
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Fuel cards yield a fiscal advantage
Fuel cards improve the ability of small businesses to recover business fuel VAT.Recent changes in the European Union’s value-added tax (VAT) rules...
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Small printers for big productivity
Investing in a small printer lets advance business projects even when you’re away from the office.Small photo printers have been available for...
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What to look for in a thermal printer
Thermal printers are rugged, reliable and able to function in demanding applications and harsh environments.A thermal printer is ideal for printing...
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Green energy incentives
With the price of gas and electricity on the rise and natural resources declining, the UK government has set targets to increase the use of...
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Renewable energy sources: a quick comparison
Renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind, or river currents to generate electricity are now making major contributions to the domestic and...
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How are UK electricity and gas prices regulated?
UK gas and electricity companies are carefully regulated to ensure that customers’ needs come first. It is essential that such a large and...
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Switching your commercial gas and electricity supplier
With UK gas and electricity prices at an all-time high, now really is a good time to consider switching your commercial gas or electricity...
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Who are the main UK business gas suppliers?
Wholesale gas prices fluctuate on a daily basis, which can be a real worry for UK business owners who feel that they are spending a large...
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Who are the main UK business electricity suppliers?
The UK electricity market is a crowded place, with a range of household name companies all looking to convince you that their energy offering is...
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Gas and electricity bills: 7 money-saving tips
Even if you’re already taking steps to reduce your business gas and electricity bills, chances are that you could do more. Below is a handful of...
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Multifunction printers cut costs
Combining the tasks of printers, photocopiers, scanners and fax machines, a multifunction printer can save your business money.A multifunction...
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Do dual fuel deals make sense for your business?
If you use both gas and electricity at your business site, you could save a bundle by sourcing both from the same energy provider in what’s known...
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3D printers in action
A 3D printer transforms digital files into three-dimensional solid forms using materials such as steel and aluminum or plastic filaments.3D...
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Card terminals for small business
Card payment terminals offer several advantages for a small business, from better transaction security to expanded flexibility.Greater securityWhen...
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Researching clocking in cards
Choosing an appropriate time and attendance system for your business requires careful research to ensure your money is well spent. A proper...
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Shopping for a clocking in system
Several suppliers of automated time management systems ply the UK market, so you will need to do some comparative shopping. Time and attendance...
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Basics of clocking in systems
A clocking in system enables you to efficiently monitor your staff’s sick leave, holidays and absences. By adopting a modern clocking in system...
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Gas and electricity tariffs: a comparison guide
As you compare gas and electricity tariffs you’ve surely noticed the dizzying array of available rates. Choice is obviously a good thing, but...
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Benefits of time attendance systems
Time attendance systems perform two essential functions: they generate an accurate record of employees’ working time for payroll and benefits...
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Employee time management software
If you keep manual records of your employees’ attendance and spend lengthy amounts of time inputting hours worked for payroll or using a paper...
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Finding the best gas and electricity deals for your business
It is estimated that most UK businesses are overpaying for their gas and electricity. Are you one? Maybe you haven’t looked closely at your...
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What’s new in business smartphone technology?
If you think your business smartphone is smart today, just wait until tomorrow. Below is an overview of some of the improvements and new...
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HVAC for heating and cooling
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems provide both heating and cooling in a single system. Many businesses choose HVAC systems...
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Benefits of air conditioning and heating systems
It is essential to have proper heating and air conditioning units in your business premises to ensure the comfort, health and safety of your staff...
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Practical concerns for AC systems
Once you’ve decided on the most appropriate air conditioning system for your business premises you will need to ensure proper installation and...
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Air conditioning system features
Installing a new air conditioning system can be a large expense for your business, but it's essential for staff and customer comfort. Different...
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Choosing your air conditioning system
No matter what sort of business you run you need to make sure your staff, visitors and customers are comfortable when on your premises. Your choice...
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Portable card terminals
Portable card terminals enable small businesses to take card payments virtually anywhere.Portable terminalsIn the past cash and cheques were the...
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Business mobile phone contract options
One of the principal decisions you will have to make when looking for a business mobile phone contract is the length of the agreement....
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Insuring your business success with health insurance
Few things are more important to the health of your business than the health of your employees. And with the trend towards shrinking and closing...
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A guide to mobile phone operating systems
Mobile smartphones are essentially small handheld computers; just as PCs and laptop computers need operating systems, a smartphone needs an...
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Wireless printing is now
Telephones have gone almost completely wireless over the past several years. Why can’t printers do the same? Wireless printing networks are...
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Purchasing a vending machine
Buying a vending machine without an after sales-package can incur unnecessary hassle after it has been installed. If your company is willing to be...
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Renting a vending machine
Renting a vending machine can be a cost-effective way to provide drinks and snacks to your staff and visitors. What’s more, your business can...
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Snacks vending machines
Whether your office is large or small, it is staffed by people who may need a calorie boost at mid-morning or mid-afternoon. If you happen to be...
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Hot drinks vending machines
A free coffee vending machine is a simple way to welcome clients in style. The type of coffee machine that you have will also say a lot about your...
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Cold drinks vending machines
What was once a luxury has become a necessity: no office space is complete without at least one vending machine providing employees with an...
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UK business mobile network suppliers
The UK has more than 80 million mobile phone users, the majority of whom rely on the networks of a handful of national players.. The main network...
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Vending machines: productivity boosters
If you are thinking of installing vending machines or even if you are reluctant to do so, it is worth looking at all of the benefits associated...
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Vending machine choice criteria
UK vending machine suppliers typically offer two service options: fully-managed or self-managed. Fully-managed service: your vending supplier...
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Benefits of drinks vending machines
Whether for hot or cold drinks, a vending machine helps satisfy your staff and keep them in the office.For the busy executive an office coffee...
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Assessing business mobile phone providers
Just a few short years ago all you asked of your business mobile phone was a reasonably clear signal and a decent battery life. But today mobile...
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Choosing the best business mobile phone deal
It is nearly inconceivable to think of conducting a modern life without a mobile phone. Part telephone, part computer, part organizer, part...
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Money-saving tips for printers and photocopiers
The dream of the paperless office is for many businesses, just that, a dream. Most companies simply can’t sustain an entirely paper free...
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Financing your printer photocopier
Printer photocopiers may be relatively expensive equipment, but buying your own could yield major returns. The right machine will save your...
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How do laser printers compare to inkjet printers in {year}?
In the UK, inkjet printers are very gradually being replaced by laser printers in many offices. Steadily falling prices for laser printers and a...
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Getting the best from your multifunction printer
No matter what your business or industry, you’re probably constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency and create the...
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Finding the best small office printers in {year}
An office printer is probably the first item in office equipment that about every company in the world acquires, after the desk, chairs and...
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Defining office photocopiers in {year} – and choosing the...
A small office photocopier used to be an oxymoron. With the introduction of multifunction printers, it’s definitely no longer the case. In just a...
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Choosing between copiers and multifunction printers in...
One of the most significant developments in the history of office printers has been the introduction of small multifunction printers. Just like...
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Understanding pension fund investments
Most people grasp the basics of pensions: money is withheld from your paycheck and “invested” and upon retirement a nice pot of money awaits you....
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What pensions are available for self-employed workers?
Self-employed workers, what’s the best the pension plan for you? Self-employment carries many benefits: being your own boss, working in a field you...
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Card terminals: 5 questions for your merchant bank
All you need to take credit and debit card payments is a merchant bank account and a card payment terminal.When considering providers, arm yourself...
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Is single invoice discounting right for your business?
Single invoice discounting is an invoice discounting facility based on a single invoice. It is akin to invoice discounting, which involves...
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Choosing your company pension scheme
My company pension scheme explained. Like many people you may only have a vague awareness of the status of your current company pension. You may...
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Auto-enrolment pensions: staging date
In October 2012 a new pension law began requiring the largest UK employers to automatically enroll eligible jobholders into company pension...
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Company pensions: the new ground rules
Why company pensions? It is estimated that around 4 million people in the UK workforce have made no provision for their retirement savings, despite...
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What’s new in UK pension scheme regulations?
New UK pension scheme explained: thanks to recent pension reform legislation, millions of UK workers now or soon will have the legal right to...
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Motor trade insurance for your business
Why would your company need motor trade insurance? If your business owns company vehicles, they need to be insured! And if you operate in the motor...
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Improving cash flow through credit control
If all customers could be relied on to pay their debts, you wouldn’t need credit control. But since they can’t, you do. Credit control helps boost...
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Why is property indemnity insurance important for...
You have probably heard of indemnity insurance but may be confused about what it is and what it covers. However, as a business owner, it is...
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The essentials of business building insurance
If you own your business premises, whether it’s an office, shop, restaurant, garage, bar or even a home office, you are strongly advised to take...
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What is employers’ liability insurance: UK definition
If one of your employees is injured at work or on a business trip and believes you to be responsible, he or she is entitled to demand compensation....
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UK guide to public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is a very important tool for protecting your company. It covers your business against injury, death and damage to...
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Business insurance for sole traders and partnerships
Why would sole traders and partnerships need business insurance? Getting to grips with all the legalities of running a small operation can be a...
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Which businesses need comprehensive commercial insurance?
Running a business carries a great deal of responsibility. You probably have employees, property, stock, expensive electrical equipment and even...
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Financing your car tracking devices
Tracking devices for cars provide the benefits of streamlined fleet management, better security, improved customer service and more efficient...
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A survey of major fleet tracking system providers
With so many businesses looking to fleet tracking systems to help improve efficiency and cut costs, the market is booming. This is great news for...
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Picking up the perfect vehicle tracking system for your...
A vehicle tracking system is an electronic device which uses GPS technology to record or send out live data from any vehicle in which a transmitter...
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A guide to using your car tracking system
One of the most frequent questions asked about car tracking devices is how hard they are to use. Because of all the GPS technology and satellites...
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How does a vehicle tracking device work?
For any company that runs a fleet of business vehicles, a tracking system will really take out the hassle associated with managing them, as well as...
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Maintaining your office water dispenser
Maintaining the quality of drinking water provided by your office water cooler or dispenser requires a regular but simple routine. Easy office...
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Main UK water cooler suppliers
The UK market for of water coolers and dispensers is fed by multiple streams. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the principal suppliers....
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Buy, lease or rent your water cooler
To help you consider which contract option might suit you best, here are few of the pros and cons of buying, leasing or renting a water cooler or...
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Comparing the cost of plumbed-in vs. bottled water coolers
Plumbed-in or bottled water coolers begin at around £180 plus VAT, with most models in the £200-£300 range. Plumbed-in dispensers are cheaper than...
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Water dispenser choices: hot or cold, freestanding or...
Once you have decided to take the plunge and invest in a water cooler or dispenser for your business, the next step is to decide which type of unit...
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Choosing your water cooler: bottled vs. plumbed-in
Office water coolers come in two basic forms: bottled or plumbed-in. Bottled water coolers have an integrated refillable water tank or the water...
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Why you need a water cooler in your office
Why are office water coolers so necessary? Health experts recommend eight large glasses of water a day, in part because dehydration can reduce our...
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Assessing UK fuel card providers
You have plenty of options when it comes to choosing your fuel card provider. You can go with well-known brands such as Shell, Texaco or Esso. They...
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Comparing diesel and petrol fuel cards
Fuel cards enable your company to save money, streamline your financial administration, speed up VAT calculations, save time for your staff, or all...
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Choosing your fuel card: fixed price or pump price
With a fixed-price card your fuel rate for the chosen period (usually a week) is fixed in advance, and doesn’t change even if retail prices shift...
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What criteria for choosing your company fuel card?
Adopting business fuel cards is a great way to help your company beat rising fuel costs and cut down on paperwork. UK fleet operators are...
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Practical questions about business fuel card costs
What costs do business fuel cards carry, other than the cost of fuel? Some fuel card companies restrict you to their forecourt network, so you may...
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From large to small businesses: who needs a franking...
Any business that uses the mail can derive significant postage cost savings by using a franking machine. Even small businesses are leveraging...
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Fleet management from a mobile computing device
There are many smartphone applications related to vehicle geolocation. Some are free and relatively “basic”, others paid and more comprehensive....
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Delivery person GPS systems: what are the available...
GPS systems are an indispensable tool for all transportation and delivery professionals. Several solutions exist, which include features...
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Access control: what is a standalone RFID door controller?
Standalone door controllers work with RFID tags, and these tags can be found on staff or visitor badges. They can be used in hospitals or hotels...
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Car tracking system: what is it composed of?
All vehicle tracking systems include:- A vehicle geolocation unit, or “GPS beacon”, or “GPS unit”, or “GPS tracer”, which is the geolocation...
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What does GPRS mean? How can this system be use to track...
General Packet Radio Service or GPRS is a standard for mobile telephony derived from GSM (Global System for Mobile communications). It is...
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GPS monitoring of company staff: what’s the legal framework?
Laws applicable to GPS vehicle tracking and GPS monitoring of staff include the Human Rights Act and the Data Protection act of 1998. Employers...
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GPS vehicle tracking systems: how do they work?
How to use a car GPS tracking system? GPS(Global Positioning System) technology uses satellite-guiding systems so that the driver of any vehicle,...
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What is a silent alarm?
A silent alarm does not make any audible signal (no siren is activated) but does send an alert, on your phone by SMS to your mobile, for example,...
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How much is an access control system?
Prices for locks with a mechanical or electronic access code are found within the £100 to £900 per unit range.For the installation of a badge...
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CCTV systems: how long can we store the data?
Technically, it all depends on your hardware and what you do with it.An analogue camera records video on tapes. If you keep using analogue cameras,...
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How does a wireless printer work?
In the UK, wireless printers are becoming more and more popular for several reasons:- They allow printing from several devices including mobile...
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How to get a business loan without collateral?
For many businesses, especially small businesses with little or no credit history, applying for a business loan without collateral is the only...
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What is business loan repayment insurance?
Business loan repayment insurance is a kind of business loan protection plan, or business loan insurance. It is also sometimes called payment...
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How to get a business loan from the government?
It will come as good news for many small, cash-starved businesses in the UK failing to get business loans from banks or traditional institutions:...
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What is a business loan broker?
A business loan broker is an agent which will try to find the best business loan, at the best price, for any business which requires his or her...
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How to apply for a business loan?
Business owners or business directors often feel much stress when they are considering to apply for a business loan. Sometimes they are worried...
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What is an unsecured business loan?
Unsecured business loans represent a type of business loans which do not require businesses to use their assets as collateral. These business loans...
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What is a secured business loan?
Secured business loans are a type of business loans where borrowed funds are securitised by company assets used as collateral. If the business...
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What is workers’ compensation insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance, sometimes shortened as workers’comp insurance, falls into the category of the very few business insurance policies...
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What is a business insurance?
Businesses of all forms, from small and medium enterprises to large multinational corporations, and even sole traders, naturally have different...
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As a business owner, should I consider taking a life...
There is some confusion about what difference there is between life insurance for a business owner and key person insurance, and this key person is...
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Do I need key person insurance for my company?
Key person insurance, also called key person cover or key man cover is a very widespread business insurance product. This kind of insurance policy...
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What is an insurance endorsement?
Sometimes, what’s covered by the business or personal insurance the policyholder is about to subscribe just doesn’t add up to everything he or she...
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What is employer’s liability insurance?
Employer’s liability insurance is one of the few business insurance policies which absolutely every business are required to subscribe by law, at...
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Should I take contents insurance for my business?
Contents insurance is a very broad type of business insurance covering the damages, loss or theft of virtually any physical items which happen to...
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Who needs a business interruption insurance?
Business owners often think about having their equipment, stock or tools ensured, so as to have these items replaced as soon as possible and at...
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Is business insurance mandatory in the UK?
Business insurance in the UK, even more so than elsewhere, covers many individual insurance products designed especially for businesses - because...
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How often do I need to review my business insurance policy?
Your business keeps evolving with time. Sometimes it just keeps growing and growing, sometimes it’s going through hard times, sometimes it’s...
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When is employers’ liability not required?
The simple idea is that employers’ liability is required by law for all businesses, since the employers’ liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act was...
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How much does a business insurance cost?
Because businesses have very different needs, because the spectrum of business insurance products and policies is an especially wide one, but also...
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How can I reduce my insurance cost?
There are several ways businesses can reduce their insurance costs - but not so many ways. In order to reduce insurance costs, business...
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Is employers’ liability insurance mandatory for employees...
It is required for (almost) every employer to subscribe an employers’ liability insurance since the employers’ liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act...
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How is employers’ liability insurance calculated?
The cost of the premiums for employers’ liability insurance is calculated according to several relatively simple patterns. The key notion to...
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How can I secure my building and equipment?
Business executives should know that more often than not, not everything is included in their business insurance package. This may look confusing...
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Where should a photocopier be placed?
Where should photocopiers be placed is not such an innocent question as it may seem. Photocopiers can be hazardous devices and caution should...
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How to connect a fax machine?
Connecting a fax machine is pretty straightforward, however, some guidelines might come in handy. Two situations can appear: connecting a fax...
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How does a wireless fax machine work?
Wireless fax machines are relatively new types of fax machines bringing the sometimes much-need wireless faxing functionality to fax machines....
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How do I send a fax?
Fax stands for facsimile, which means “reproduction”. Therefore, it’s important to understand that a fax machine doesn’t “send” a document strictly...
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What are photocopier hazards?
Yes, photocopiers can be dangerous machines. They are known to produce several hazards which should be taken seriously into account. Here’s a list...
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What are the benefits of laser fax machines?
Nowadays, fax machines are still widely used in offices, appreciated for their low cost, their simplicity of operation, and the fact they allow...
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What is a fax number?
Fax machines are still, in the 21st century, a staple of office equipment, and they’re also suited to domestic use. Entry-level models are really...
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What is a fax machine?
Fax stands for facsimile, meaning that a fax machine doesn’t actually send a document, it sends a reproduction of the document. In fact, fax...
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Should I buy a colour or a black and white photocopier?
As far as document reproduction is concerned, most companies only need black and white. When memos or other documents for internal use are...
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What are the services provided by telecom providers for...
With the introduction of internet telephony, VOIP and many other technologies, together with the deregulation of telecommunications, telecom...
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How to choose your telecom provider?
Telecommunication services have become incredibly plentiful and complex. Engaged in a bitter price war, telecom providers are making it difficult...
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Can I choose my professional phone number?
Deregulation of the telecoms industry has resulted in a much wider freedom of choice for every user, including business users, for about anything...
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What is an MVNO?
MVNOs are relatively new to the spectrum of mobile phone operators, as they started appearing only in the latter part of the first decade of the...
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What is local number portability?
Local number portability basically guarantees that any user, private or corporate, who wishes to keep his or her original phone number while...
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How to install a professional phone line?
Business owners or chief technical officers willing to install a phone line for professional use should first think about a few considerations....
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What is fixed-mobile convergence?
Fixed-mobile convergence basically is the ability to seamlessly switch from a deskphone to a mobile, or vice-versa, or keep the same phone and...
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What are the differences between ADSL, SDSL and optical...
ADSL, SDSL and optical fibre are three different internet connection types. Asymetrical Digita Subscriber Line was the first broadband technology...
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How can I change my phone and Internet provider?
As long as phone service or internet connection are concerned, to change provider always seems to be a stressful experience - especially for...
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How much does it cost to cancel my phone or Internet...
How much one will have to pay if one decides to cancel a phone contract or internet is one of the wisest questions to ask oneself before committing...
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How much does a business phone and internet contract cost?
The cost of a business phone and internet contract may vary greatly depending on the telecom provider, but also on a number of options. One first...
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What is the difference between ADSL and ADSL2?
ADSL is an internet connection technology which was first introduced in 1998 and went on to know a series of further developments. The acronym...
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What Primary Rate Interface?
Simply put, Primary Rate Interface (PRI) is a way of connecting one enterprise phone system to the public switch telephone network, that is, the...
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Should I choose a key system or a PBX for my company?
Key systems and PBX systems are the two most common choices for businesses in terms of enterprise telephone systems. Key systems only require the...
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What are the differences between analogue and digital...
Businesses willing to install an enterprise phone system still have a choice between analogue and digital phone systems. While these two types of...
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What is a cloud phone system?
Also known as cloud PBX or virtual PBX, a cloud system is a full enterprise phone system which does not require the installation of any on-premise...
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What is a Centrex phone system?
Centrex phone systems is an enterprise telephony solution which comes as an alternative to private branch exchange systems. Centrex is actually a...
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What is an automated phone system?
Automated phone systems are a familiar element in every consumer’s daily life, as they are used by almost every major government service or...
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What is the Asterisk solution for phone system?
Asterisk is a popular, open source telephony solution enabling switching and private branch exchange service. Working on Linux, it represents a...
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What are the different types of factoring?
Different types of factoring can be used by businesses willing to secure near-instant cash in exchange for unsettled invoices for goods or services...
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What is reverse factoring?
Reverse factoring is one specific receivables finance product which is more largely used as a supply-chain finance product. Contrary to usual...
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What is the difference between factoring and securitisation?
A company’s receivable balance represents the money owed by its customers, in other words its debtors. These receivables may take some time before...
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What is the difference between invoice factoring and...
When a young company needs to invest in order to maintain its development, operating capital availability is crucial. Besides, traditional bank...
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What is export factoring?
Export factoring works on the same principle as factoring, with an international aspect added to the purchase and funding of factored receivables....
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What is credit insurance?
In the business world, keeping operating capital available at all times is essential. However, when an invoice is raised, it may take up to 90 days...
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What is the difference between factoring and bill...
Modern businesses, and particularly small or medium-sized ones, often face difficulties in maintaining a steady, smooth and predictable cash flow....
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Should I use factoring or a bank overdraft?
Business owners around the world haven’t failed to notice that banks have become more and more reluctant to offer credit facilities, while their...
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How does a water cooler work?
Hot or cold water dispensers are popular features nowadays in offices, staff kitchens and waiting rooms around the world. They’re also perfectly...
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What to do when the water cooler is leaking?
Usually, when properly serviced and operated, water coolers are reliable, trouble-free machines. However, in spite of all the efforts of the...
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How do I place the water cooler bottle on the water...
As bottled water is filtered and exempt from any chemicals or impurities, maintenance and cleaning of bottled water dispensers is fairly easy....
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Where should I store the bottles of water and for how long?
Bottled water coolers are one of the many existing solutions to drink pure, clean and filtered water. It’s a hassle-free, sensible option: you buy...
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What are the benefits of installing a water cooler in the...
It has been statistically proven that having a water cooler in your office is healthier for employees, who then perform their duties for longer...
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What is the difference between a hot water dispenser and...
Hot water dispensers and hot water kettles basically provide the same service: they supply hot or boiling water. Therefore, they are a popular...
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What is a hot water dispenser?
It may be a bit strange to refer to a hot water dispenser as a “water cooler”, yet most water coolers now come with a hot water faucet. In offices...
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How much does a hot water dispenser cost?
Installing a hot water dispenser in your home or your company is a great idea. Compared with regular water coolers, the price of a hot water...
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How do I clean my water cooler?
Water dispensers are convenient and appreciated features, and are more and more present in offices and waiting rooms, as well as in private homes....
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Should I rent or buy a water cooler?
Installing a water cooler in your home or your company is a healthy and sensible way to provide your staff and customers or your family with...
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What is the difference between bottled and plumbed-in...
There are multiple types of water dispenser, each with their own specificities. Usually, systems used in companies, waiting rooms and private homes...
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What is VoIP?
Standing for Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP basically enables users to make and receive phone calls over the internet, using a broadband...
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How does VoIP work?
VoIP works by converting analogue signals, like voice, into digital ones so they can be transferred using the internet rather than plain old...
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What is an IP BX system?
Simply speaking, an IP BX or IP PBX system is a PBX system capable of using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telecommunication features....
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What is PBX?
A PBX system - standing for Private Branch Exchange - is a telephone network owned and operated by an enterprise rather than by a telephone...
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Do I have to change my phone number when I sign up for a...
VoIP users may keep their existing phone number, inherited from the traditional telephone service provider, to make and receive calls over the...
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Can I make international calls with VoIP?
VoIP international calls are possible to any place in the world where a fast internet connection is available, and if these calls are legal where...
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What equipment do I need to use VOIP?
Necessary VoIP equipment can be extremely limited, allowing users willing to reap the benefits of voice over IP such as cheaper calls, mobile...
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How much does VoIP cost?
Among its other benefits, VoIP is usually associated with much cheaper communications. So much in fact, that some prospective users wonder if VoIP...
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What is unified communications?
Unified communications (UC) is a marketing term used to refer to many different things. As far as telephone systems are concerned, this concept...
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What is Sip trunking?
Sip trunking stands for Session Initiation Protocol. It’s an important technology to understand modern VoIP systems, where an enterprise network is...
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Is VoIP secure?
Prospective users of Voice over Internet Protocol equipment and plans are often put off by a major concern: is VoIP secure? Many accounts of cyber...
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What is the difference between Epos and Pos?
Epos systems and Pos systems are much more different than one would think, although the difference in spelling is just one letter. Epos (Electronic...
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Is an Internet connection required for an Epos system?
One of the characteristics of Electronic Points of Sale systems, as opposed to traditional points of sale systems, is that they are essentially...
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How long does it take to install an Epos system?
Installing an Epos system may look like a daunting task to those who are not familiar with it, even more so to some who have never done it and...
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What type of hardware can I connect to an Epos system?
Electronic point of sale systems can be complex systems with many hardware add-ons connected. Depending on their specific needs, businesses using...
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What is an Epos system?
An Epos is a commonly-used acronym standing for Electronic Point of Sale. It is used to refer to a connected system comprising both hardware...
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How long does it take to train the staff to use the Epos...
Epos training is an absolutely essential part of your decision to buy an Electronic Point of Sale system. Training time will therefore have to be...
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Does the Epos provider also provide support?
Businesses switching from a traditional point of sale system to an electronic point of sale system, especially when they have little technical...
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Do Epos systems include stock control?
Stock control is one fantastic feature allowed by Electronic Points of Sale systems. When a sale is recorded, the information is immediately sent...
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Will an Epos system be useful for a small business?
Many small businesses are worried about the cost and complexity of a full Epos system. True, an Epos system includes many components, and the bill...
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What are the benefits of an Epos system?
Benefits of Epos over traditional point of sale systems are quite striking. They are related to reporting, stock management, accountability, speed...
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How does a counterfeit detector work?
Counterfeit detectors are useful additions to an Epos system, allowing to spot counterfeited banknotes easily, sometimes even before the customer...
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How much does an Epos system cost?
In order to determine the cost of an Epos system, prospective users need to think about a few things: - First, they should list exactly what...
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How do I choose an Epos system for my business?
As these systems include many components, which can all be more or less advanced, and more or less compatible, businesses may feel at a loss when...
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Can I turn my computer into a cash register?
Epos systems, with all the benefits of a modern point of sale systems, still way too often seem too expensive to many small businesses. Many...
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How much does a phone system cost?
Phone system costs may vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Besides the usual considerations related to the quality and price of each...
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What is the difference between PBX and PABX?
Deciphering the two acronyms of PBX and PABX already helps understanding the difference between these two types of phone systems quite a bit:...
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How to make or receive a call with VoIP?
Making or receiving calls with VoIP is extremely easy. There are in fact no specific manipulations or setting up required, but operations will be...
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What type of Internet connection is needed for VoIP?
As a matter of fact, users need a fast and reliable internet connection to enjoy the benefits of VoIP, as the service is provided through the...
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What is the difference between hosted and on premise PBX?
On-site installation vs online solutionHosted and on premise PBX are two different types of private branch exchange phone systems. The basic...
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What does working capital mean to your business?
Working capital is the net amount of current assets, without the total amount current liabilities at a certain point in time. If an organisation’s...
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How are fuel cards combating rising pump prices?
British motorists have seen the cost of fuel rise by more than one-fifth over the past three years, with further rises likely in the future. Small...
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How fast is HP “world’s fastest” inkjet printer?
Hewlett Packard offers an advanced new “Page Wide” printer technology in its new Officejet Pro X business inkjet printers. HP calls its latest...
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What are the benefits of vending machines for schools?
Vending machines in schools offer students and pupils a convenient source of snacks and drinks that provide the energy they need to get through...
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How can you boost your productivity with laser printers?
Laser printers offer fast, high-quality printing using a technology in which a beam projects an image of the content onto the page and ink...
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Why are giant vending machines replacing village shops?
An enormous vending machine selling more than 80 items has replaced the long-gone village shop in the Bristol suburb of Clifton.The “SpeedyShop” is...
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Why plumbed-in water dispensers?
Every office and workshop needs a source of clean drinking water. But when choosing between bottled coolers and plumbed-in dispensers, consider the...
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How can you resolve a dispute with your factor?
What can you do if you have a dispute with your factor? The ABFA, the industry’s main watchdog organization, has clearly established rules for...
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What are the regulation surrounding business air...
The phase-out of a widely-used component of air conditioning and industrial refrigeration systems is due at the end of the year. Is your business...
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Why do UK motorists pay the highest fuel tax in Europe?
UK motorists pay the highest tax rate on diesel in all of Europe. As for petrol, only Sweden pays a higher rate than the UK.The Royal Automobile...
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What to expect from your water cooler supplier?
A water cooler supplier should be able to recommend whether a mains-fed or bottled water system will be most appropriate for your workplace.Most...
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What are the UK water cooler requirements?
Strange but true: UK employers are actually required by law to provide easily accessible drinking water to their staff.A 1992 UK Workplace...
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What are the criterias for choosing a snack vending machine?
Several factors should be considered when weighing your choice of a snacks vending machine.Capacity: by choosing a machine that holds a large...
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Smartphones and credit card payments: how does it work?
Chip & PIN card readers integrated into smartphones are boosting payment flexibility and giving customers greater control.One of the most...
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How to look sharp with franking machine labels?
Using professional franking machine labels on your business's parcels promotes a professional attitude toward customers and also speeds up mail...
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How to finance a coffee machine for your business?
Leasing a coffee machine is cheaper than purchasing, and will also allow you to get the latest technology without additional expense.Buying a new...
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How to choose the right fuel card for your fleet?
Comparing fuel cards is easy, and it's also the best way to ensure that you get the right cards for your business fleet.Originally designed for...
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Why banks prefer factoring to lending?
In a factoring arrangement a business sells outstanding invoices to a factor in exchange for immediate cash.Factoring is a common alternative to...
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How to get the most from photo printers?
The spread of digital cameras has created demand for affordable, high quality photo printers, and the market is increasingly ready to...
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Gas & electricity tariffs simplified: how does it work?
A consumer advocacy group for energy consumers in the UK recently instituted a set of rules to simplify gas and electricity tariff structures.From...
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What is the franking technique introduced by Royal Mail?
The Royal Mail will introduce a new generation franking mark in mid-2014.Mailmark is a new generation of franking mark that replaces the...
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Can I choose the items for sale in my machine, or are...
How much choice you have over the snack and drink selections sold in your vending machine is really up to you. If you have chosen to take out a...
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Is it better to choose a big vending machine or a smaller...
The size of the vending machine you choose will really come down to how many employees or customers you expect will use it; too big a machine and...
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Can I move my vending machine from one room to another?
Large vending machines can be extremely heavy and difficult to move, so it is worthwhile spending some time considering the optimum position before...
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What infrastructure is required to install a vending...
Vending machines can be installed just about anywhere where there’s an electric socket, but you need to ensure you have enough employees or...
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Is it possible to get a vending machine for a very short...
In some situations, businesses require a vending machine for just a few days or weeks, such as for events, exhibitions or conferences, but don’t...
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Which is the most fraud-proof type of vending machine?
The sad truth is that there are people who will try and scam the vending machine that you install, either by coin fraud, break-ins, vandalism or...
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Who are the major UK snack vending machine suppliers?
Some of the big names in the UK snack vending machine market are Mars Vending, SnackTime, Nestle, Kafevend, Link Vending, UK Vending and FTS...
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Who are the major UK drinks vending machine suppliers?
There are many drinks vending machine suppliers in the UK and finding the right one will come down to the products, prices, customer service and...
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Who are the major UK coffee vending machine suppliers?
Finding the right coffee vending machine supplier for your specific needs is crucial for getting the best prices, products and services. And it’s a...
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What criteria should guide my choice of a vending machine?
Offering a good choice of snacks and drinks to employees and customers makes great business sense, but there are many different types and makes of...
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Which payment method is more user-friendly: coins or...
Choosing how users pay for their items is an important part of setting up your vending machine. You can choose between the traditional coin payment...
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Can I use a vending machine to generate income for my...
Vending machines can be a great way of generating a little extra incomefor your business. If you own your vending machine outright, then any profit...
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What’s the difference between self-managed and...
With a self-managed vending machine you take full control of the stocking, service and maintenance, providing you with the freedom to shop around...
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How long is a typical vending machine rental contract?
You can choose to hire, lease or rent your vending machine. Short term hiring contracts can be from just a day or two up to a usual maximum of six...
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What are “free-on-loan” vending machines?
“Free on-loan” or free vending machines offer an alternative solution to your business if you wish to offer employees and customers the benefits of...
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Is it possible to hire a vending machine?
Leasing a vending machine is a very popular option for businesses. Leasing contracts are usually long term deals (three to five years) taken out...
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What finance options are available for vending machines?
Vending machines can be very expensive and many businesses simply can’t afford or don’t want the large outlay of purchasing outright. But the good...
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How am I billed for stocking my vending machine?
Almost all vending machine suppliers will offer restock packages, whether this is just for restocking products or a fully-managed service to...
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What is the rental price of a typical vending machine?
Many businesses find that leasing or renting vending machines is the most cost effective method and allows for easy, predictable budgeting, usually...
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What is the purchase price of a typical vending machine?
Obviously, there is a big price range for vending machines, depending on the size, brand and the complexity of the model. For example, a small...
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What’s the best way to deal with users who lose money in...
Basically the way your company deals with money lost to your vending machine is your choice. If money is lost in the vending machine (and it isn’t...
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Are compact/tabletop vending machines available?
Your business may not have the demand, or the space, or the budget for large free standing vending machines. So a compact or tabletop option might...
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How many different selections can a vending machine offer?
Different sizes and types of vending machines offer different selections and hold varying amounts of snacks or drinks. However, it is most typical...
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How does a drinks vending machine keep drinks cold?
Vending machines keep drinks cold through the process of refrigeration. Once the desired temperature is set, the machine’s inbuilt sensors maintain...
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What sort of cleaning/disinfecting is required for...
Because vending machines deliver drinks and food to your staff and visitors it is important to keep them clean and sanitised. Vending machines that...
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What are my options for restocking and servicing my...
In order to ensure your vending machines are a worthwhile investment, you need to keep them stocked and fully serviced, and you can take on as much...
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Can I save energy by unplugging my vending machines on...
There’s a lot you can do to reduce power consumption on your vending machine when it’s not in use, such as over weekends or holidays (and in turn...
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How much energy does a vending machine consume?
Vending machines need electricity to power signage, illuminate and refrigerate products and heat up water for hot drinks. But when installing a...
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What types of office vending machines are available?
There are many different types of office vending machines now available on the market. The most popular are coffee and hot drinks machines, snack...
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What are the advantages of having a vending machine?
Vending machines are a great way for businesses to provide first rate customer hospitality, improve productivity, save money and create a good...
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What steps do I need to get the best factoring quotes?
As with all business decisions, it is important to compare offers from different factoring companies to ensure you are getting the best deal for...
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What regulations apply to factoring companies?
The entire factoring industry is closely regulated by a number of organisations to ensure consumers are protected, industry guidelines are followed...
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Who are the major UK factoring companies?
Factoring companies in the UK can be divided into two categories; high street banks offering business factoring services and specialist providers....
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When does it make sense to use invoice discounting rather...
Invoice discounting and factoring are both well established types of invoice finance. Whichever one you choose, you will be unlocking cash from...
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Must I work with a factor in my location or can I work...
There are many aspects to consider when choosing a factor, and one of these is location. Some businesses find that they prefer to work with a local...
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How do I assess the quality of factoring companies?
There are many different factoring companies to choose from in the UK and the service levels, rates and fees can vary widely from one factoring...
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What criteria should I consider before choosing a factor?
There are two types of factor: high street banks offering invoice finance to business customers and specialist factoring providers. Choosing the...
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Is it easy to terminate a factoring arrangement?
If you wish to terminate your factoring agreement, the first step is to check the contract for when notice can be given and for stipulations on...
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I have overseas clients; can I factor international...
If your business trades mainly within the UK, then a domestic factoring contract will be sufficient. However, if you have clients largely based...
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Are there any risks or inconveniences to factoring?
Factoring is a relatively simple process, and as long as an agreement has been set up by a reputable factoring service provider with conditions...
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Who do I turn to if I have a dispute with my factoring...
The factoring industry is well regulated to protect customers, so, if you do find yourself in a dispute with a factor help is at hand. The first...
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How much cash will I get up front for my invoices?
The amount you’re paid for each invoice will depend on your factoring provider and how their fees are structured as well as other factors such as...
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How quickly can I access cash for the invoices I sell to...
Generally you will have access to a large share (80% to 90%) of the value of the invoices you decide to factor within one or two days. The 80% to...
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Do I get a better deal if I factor more invoices (volume...
The type of deal you are offered by a factor is dependent on a range of business specifics, such as annual turnover, industry, range of customers...
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Is there any collateral requirement for factoring?
As with all financial services, some criteria do need to be met in order to ensure that the factoring contract will be beneficial and sustainable....
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What does a typical factoring contract contain?
A typical factoring contract will outline all the terms of your arrangement in great detail and will include the fee structure, charges and...
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What are the cost components of a factoring arrangement?
Every time an invoice is sold to your factor you will see an 85-90% return, usually within 24 hours as a cash advance. Any remaining balance, minus...
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What are the requirements for invoice discounting?
Invoice discounting is a means of unlocking working capital tied up in invoices by selling them to a factor. With an invoice discounting agreement...
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What's the difference between factoring and invoice...
Invoice factoring and invoice discounting work in a similar way. With both processes, your business sells raised invoices to a provider and gets a...
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Do my customers know of the factor’s involvement?
Choosing whether to disclose that invoices are being sold to a factor is crucial when deciding on the right factoring agreement for your business....
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What does a factoring company do in the case of nonpayment?
If a customer refuses to pay the debt to a factoring company it is termed as a dispute.Factoring companies will do all they can to resolve a...
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How does a factor determine which invoices to accept?
As part of your factoring contract, the factor will set certain limits as to the type, volume and value of invoices which it will accept, along...
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Can I pick and choose which invoices are factored?
Yes. Factoring arrangements will allow you to pick and choose which of your customer’s invoices you factor, so it’s not normally an all or nothing...
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Does factoring require a minimum number of invoices?
The terms of your factoring arrangement will be heavily dependent on specific circumstances such as the size of your business, the volume of your...
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What's the difference between factoring with recourse and...
There are two types of invoice factoring to choose from; recourse factoring and factoring without recourse. With a recourse contract, any unpaid...
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Who collects the debt due, the factor or my business?
Who collects payment from the account debtor is determined by which type of factoring agreement you have entered into. With an invoice factoring...
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How does a factoring finance arrangement work?
A factoring finance arrangement is a way for businesses to free the cash tied up in unpaid invoices. And the process is actually very simple. Once...
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What are the requirements for factoring?
Businesses do need to meet some requirements in order to be considered for a factoring contract. One of the most important criteria is B2B trading...
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Why turn to a factor rather than seek a bank loan?
Many businesses find that invoice factoring is a much more secure process than entering into a bank loan when it comes to improving cash flow or...
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How can factoring help my business improve cash flow?
Factoring is a process by which a business sells its invoices to a specialist factoring company (a factor) and receives quick payment in return as...
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When should I consider a card terminal from a supplier...
Many merchant banks offer card terminals and accessories as part of their contract. But this is not always the best solution. If you are an...
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Who are the UK’s best merchant services providers for...
In the UK, the best merchant services may be offered by very different merchant services providers. Some of these merchant account providers have a...
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How to choose the best credit card machine?
Several criteria can be used to select the best credit card machine for a given business. And the number one criterion is to know in as many...
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Can I get multiple card machines in the same deal?
Absolutely. Many businesses will need multiple card machines for different Points of Sale and to carry out more than one transaction at a time....
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What are the main card payment security systems?
Card payment processors, banks and payment services providers (PSP) are heavily regulated to guarantee the highest level of security for card...
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How to choose a merchant account supplier?
As merchant services are no longer only provided by traditional, high-street banks, there are now dozens of merchant account suppliers who can help...
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Is it possible to hire a credit card terminal for a short...
Many businesses don’t need to accept card payments all year round.Companies may need to hire a credit card terminal for just a few weeks, a few...
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If my business expands, can I add more terminals to...
Additional hardware, such as new accessories or card terminals for expanding businesses can be easily added to existing EPOS systems to enhance...
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How long does a PDQ terminal last?
PDQ payment terminals are compact and robust pieces of equipment. With regular servicing (this can often be included in your hire or purchase...
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What determines the price of a credit card terminal?
Prices of credit card terminals greatly differ from a machine to another, based on several factors.Of course, technological refinements are part of...
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What is a card reader and how does it work?
Different definitions may be applied as for what a credit or debit card reader is:- For some marketers and commentators in the UK, card reader is...
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What services are typically offered with a card machine?
Merchant card service providers typically offer card machines along with their processing services. You may also purchase your credit card reader...
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Should a credit card machine rental plan be preferred to...
In the UK, card machine rental is traditionally the most popular way for retailers to get credit card terminals. For instance, portable credit card...
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What financing options are available for credit card...
Card transaction processing suppliers offer a range of contract options to suit any size of business, from short to long term rental and for...
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How much do credit card machines cost?
Card machine prices have come down quite a bit. For instance, new modular systems based on mobile phones only require card readers to be purchased...
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What are the prerequisites for using a chip-and-PIN machine?
Chip-and-PIN machines, which originally refer to the specific type of credit card terminal capable of reading “smart” credit cards with a chip, as...
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How do I operate my card terminal?
The first step in setting up a card terminal is to acquire a merchant account with a bank or payment service provider. Remember to shop around for...
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Which credit card machine is right for a small business?
Small businesses very rarely buy a card machine alone, as a package of software and financial services is needed to accept card payments. Deciding...
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What are the latest evolutions in PDQ machines?
The latest technology in PDQ machines is speeding up transaction times and offering customers greater flexibility in how they choose to pay....
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What are my card terminal connection options?
Choosing the right connection for your card payment terminal is very important and will largely depend on your budget and type of service offered...
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What’s the difference between countertop and mobile card...
Countertop and mobile card payment terminals are two broad categories of credit card terminals or PDQ machines. Also called desktop card terminals,...
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For what type of business does it make sense to use a...
Card terminals can be used by any restaurant or retail trading outlet or service provider that accepts face-to-face debit or credit card payments...
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How does a dial up terminal work?
Dial up payment terminals transmit card data and obtain payment authorisation through a dedicated dial up telephone line, operating over PSTN or an...
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How does a wireless card terminal function?
Remote wireless payment terminals are a popular option for mobile businesses that provide a product or service on the move or at a customer’s...
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How does a Bluetooth terminal function?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength radio transmissions in the ISM band...
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What kind of card payment terminals are available?
Many different credit card payment terminals or credit card machines are now offered by a variety of card payment terminal providers. Main...
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What are the components of a card processing solution?
Card payment terminals are small, handheld devices combining software and hardware and available as either fixed or mobile units.Fill in this form...
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How do credit card terminals work?
From a shopper’s point of view, and even from a shop owner’s point of view, credit card terminal operations seem totally effortless: enter...
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What is a credit card machine?
Credit card machines, commonly referred to as Point of Sale (POS), Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) terminals, PDQ machines, PDQ terminals, card...
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Do you have any tips for reducing printer ink consumption?
The best way to save money on print consumables is to reduce waste printing and ink consumption in the first place. Make sure you print only what...
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Can I be reimbursed for recycling an old...
If you purchased your printer or photocopier outright then there are a number of ways that it can be safely recycled when no longer needed, and...
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If I move to a new office can I renegotiate my printer...
Moving from one office to another can be disruptive and expensive, especially where large office machinery such as printers are concerned. But...
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Inkjet or laser: how to make a comparison of printers...
The laser printer VS inkjet printer debate has been going on for decades and answers have never been so confusing. Results of a comparison between...
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Is professional installation included in the cost of...
It is always advisable to have new, and expensive, office equipment such as printers and photocopiers installed professionally. Not only will this...
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How long is a typical service contract for a...
Typical contract duration varies between plans and providers. Copier or printer service contracts are often chosen by businesses because of four...
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What is the printing capacity of a typical printer toner...
The amount of pages you can print or copy on one toner or ink cartridge varies greatly between makes and models, so there is no hard and fast...
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How long is the typical lifespan of a printer-photocopier?
Printers and photocopiers are generally robust pieces of office machinery, with high end models being designed for very large volumes of printing....
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What are the latest advances in printer-photocopier...
Copier and printer technology has gone a long way since Gutenberg and while inkjet and laser are not really new printing technologies (both have...
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What are the essential criteria for choosing a photocopier?
Choosing a photocopier may quickly cause headaches, given the number of models on the market, but also the different types of “managed printing...
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How much can I save by purchasing a reconditioned...
Purchasing a reconditioned photocopier is an affordable way for many businesses to meet their copying needs. Reconditioned photocopiers are used...
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What sort of maintenance costs can I expect to pay for my...
The cost of printer maintenance is an essential part of a photocopier’s “Total Cost of Ownerhsip”, which gives a much clearer idea of how much a...
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Can I be reimbursed for VAT when I buy a...
If your business chooses to buy a printer or photocopier outright, the equipment is recorded as a capital expense, for which a certain percentage...
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What is the VAT rate for renting a photocopier?
One of the great benefits for businesses in renting or leasing photocopiers or printing equipment is the tax benefits. Leasing payments are...
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How does an office printer leasing contract work?
Office equipment can be extremely costly and many businesses simply couldn’t afford to buy printing or computing devices if they had to purchase...
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Is leasing a printer-photocopier better than buying or...
Leasing a copier or printer for corporate needs is proving more and more popular in the UK. Printer-copiers with all productivity features needed...
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What finance options are available for printer-photocopiers?
Printers and photocopiers can be very expensive pieces of office kit, so it is good to know what finance options printer-photocopier suppliers...
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What is a typical price range for a multifunction printer?
Multifunction printers (MFPs) typically include printing, copying, scanning, email and fax capabilities in one machine and can offer a practical...
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What is the average price of printers made for business use?
How much a printer costs depends on a large variety of factors, like:- Printing technology (laser printers are a little more expensive than inkjet...
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How much does a photocopier cost?
Prices of photocopiers vary greatly depending on a number of factors:- Printing speeds, in pages per minute (ppm), - Printing technology (laser...
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How are photocopiers reconditioned?
Reconditioned photocopiers are ex lease or ex showroom machines that have already been used and usually returned to the supplier for an upgrade. On...
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How do I change the toner cartridge on a photocopier?
Changing the large toner cartridges on a photocopier may seem like a daunting prospect, but it is actually a straightforward, quick and clean job....
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What sorts of breakdowns are common with office...
Photocopiers are robust and hard wearing pieces of office equipment, and with regular servicing and the correct consumables they generally will...
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How do I connect a photocopier to my computer network?
A photocopier can be easily networked to an existing computer network by connecting it to the main router via an Ethernet cable and installing the...
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What additional functions do I get with an all-in-one...
All-in-one printer-photocopiers include an inbuilt fax and scanner, giving you access to a large range of document printing and transfer options in...
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How does an inkjet printer work?
Contrary to laser printers, which toners contain ink powder, inkjet printers print ink in its liquid form.And contrary to older printing...
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How does a laser photocopier work?
Laser photocopiers produce high resolution, sharp images at high speeds. When a page is inserted for copying, a scanner makes a digital image which...
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What’s the difference between photocopiers, printers,...
The office space used to be quite simple: there were printers to print, photocopiers to copy, scanners to scan, fax machines to send or receive...
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What is a stand-alone photocopier?
A standalone photocopier traditionally refers to single unit-machines entirely devoted to copying functions. As standalone machines, they put...
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What is a multifunction printer?
Multifunction printers or “MFPs” put together, in one single machine, the features of a printer, a copier, a scanner, and sometimes also of a fax...
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Why leasing your photocopier makes sense?
Buying a photocopier can require a hefty upfront payment, especially the faster, high-volume models. Leasing is a smart alternative to buying your...
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How do credit card reward programs work?
Point-based loyalty programs have become a familiar part of the credit card market over the past decade. But as manipulation and abuse of such...
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How to keep air conditioning costs under control?
A few common sense measures can help your business improve the energy efficiency of your climate control system.Air conditioning can increase a...
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What to expect from your vending machine supplier?
Whether you seek to buy or rent a vending machine for your business, you should look at the quality of services offered before choosing your...
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Printer-copiers: how are they cutting operating costs?
By employing a few simple conservation rules around the office, businesses can increase the lifespan of their office printer-photocopier and save...
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What are the practical uses for 3D printers?
3D printers have become more affordable and today a relatively modest investment in a 3D printer could save certain businessses thousands in stock...
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How does the leasing of office printers work?
Leasing printers for your business is a great way to avoid the large capital outlay typically required for outright purchase.Many businesses look...
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What are the uses of thermal printers in daily life?
Thermal printers transfer ink onto the page using heat. They are typically used for printing receipts. Thermal printers use temperature-sensitive...
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Are Chip and PIN terminals fraud-proof?
Chip and PIN terminals are not entirely fraud-proof, but a few common sense steps can help minimize the risk.When chip and PIN terminals for credit...
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How to manage payroll taxes?
Handling payroll tax calculations is complex thanks to changing HMRC guidelines and economic constraints that add pressure on employers.New laws...
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What are the benefits of externalising credit control...
Unless your business is awash in spare resources, it will often make sense to outsource your debt collection and credit control functions and...
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How can you gain an edge with printer leasing?
Leasing is an efficient way to finance an office printer for your business, offering manageable payments along with the option to trade up when new...
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Why are mobile payments gaining momentum?
Payment industry pros are predicting a near-total switchover from physical to contactless payments as early as 2016.Five UK banks have announced...
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What are the operating costs for franking machines?
A franking machine is a fairly simple piece of office equipment with relatively low operating costs.So you’ve decided to invest in a franking...
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What are the tips for your water cooler health?
A well maintained water cooler will provide refreshing water for you and your staff for several years.Like all office equipment, your water cooler...
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What are smartphone card payment terminals?
Mobile phones have allowed users to access the Internet for years, and now they are also beginning to serve as card payment terminals.One of the...
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What are the different applications of 3D printer?
3D printers transform materials such as steel, aluminum or plastics into physical objects one layer at a time.3D printers transform materials into...
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Is contactless credit card payments unsafe?
Smartphones are now used to make "contactless" credit card payments for small purchases, but a recent experiment has raised questions about the...
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How can CCTV protect your business?
A professional CCTV system can protect your business in numerous ways.A CCTV system is more than just a set of eyes on your premises. Such a system...
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What are the benefits of employee time management systems?
Linking an employee time and attendance sytem with your human resources system can improve payroll accuracy.One of the most useful advantages of...
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What are the different coffee machine options in the UK?
The UK market offers a broad range of choices for coffee machines, from simple filtered coffee models to high volume specialty coffee machines....
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What are the benefits of Chip and PIN machines for small...
Chip and PIN machines allow even small businesses to offer customers the convenience of paying for purchases with debit and credit cards.Around 95%...
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What are portable printers?
Portable laptop computers are already everywhere. Add a laptop printer and you’re ready to conduct business anywhere.Portable printers come in many...
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Standardising factoring terms across EU: what does it mean?
Release of a new tool for standardising terms used in factoring arrangements across the European Union.The EUF has launched a new software tool...
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What are the many advantages of laser printers?
Laser printers are more appropriate than inkjet printers for high-volume print jobs.Laser printers use the same technology as scanners and...
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What are your choices in terms of vending machine?
Vending machines provide an array of inexpensive refreshment choices for your staff and visitors.Some vending machine providers offer a single type...
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Why have the UK energy price hikes been put on hold?
Major UK energy suppliers have reversed recently announced energy price hikes.After proclaiming higher energy prices for the approaching winter,...
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Is it the end of credit cards?
Credit cards generate big profits for the banks that issue them, but contactless methods are likely to dominate consumer payments in the...
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Which card payment terminals is best for restaurants and...
Credit card machines require certain additional capabilities to be suitable for restaurants and bars.The basic types of credit card machine- Dial...
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What are credit card transaction costs?
The cost of a credit card terminal goes beyond the initial purchase or rental payment. It also includes transaction costs charged by the terminal...
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Mains-fed vs. bottled water coolers: what are the...
Mains-fed dispensers and bottled water coolers will satisfy the thirst of your employees and visitors all year around.So which is a better choice...
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Why can't a business live without an office printer?
A single, space-saving office printer offers a range of cost-effective solutions for companies of all sizes.Office printers are becoming...
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What are laptop printers?
Laptop computers are now indispensable. Add a laptop printer and you’re ready to conduct business anywhere.Portable printers come in many styles,...
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How does a business card printer work?
The common business card remains an essential tool of doing business. And it is now affordable to print your own business cards whenever you need...
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Who needs a wireless credit card terminal?
Wireless card terminals are especially adapted for restaurants and cafés as well as retail businesses with large premises. Wireless card machines...
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Whate are the pros and the cons of merchant card machines?
Sourcing a card terminal from your credit card processor gives you a single contact for your credit accounts. When you start taking credit and...
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What's a GPRS card terminal?
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a wireless data transmission form used in mobile credit card terminals.Card terminals need some way of...
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How investing in laser printers can improve speed and...
Laser printers are great for high-volume jobs, printing pages in one go rather than piecemeal like inkjet printers.Laser printers use the same...
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How to choose a debit card reader?
Starting a new retail business? A debit card reader could be a very good investment.You have more options than simply taking debit card payments...
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What are the benefits of great coffee in the office?
Great coffee at work is easy with espresso machines, which are widely available and surprisingly affordable.Espresso machines are fast becoming a...
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How do card terminals improve customer service?
Accepting credit card payments helps small businesses boost sales and improve customer service.Customers don’t always carry large amounts of cash...
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Fuel cards and VAT: how does it work?
Fuel cards offer the most effective way for small businesses to recover business fuel VAT. Recent changes in the European Union’s value-added tax...
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Factoring vs. bank loans: what is best for your business?
Many small businesses sell invoices to factoring companies for ready cash. It's a great alternative to bank loans.Factoring is an agreement whereby...
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How does printer leasing work?
Leasing a printer is a smart way to stay on top of technology advances without sinking money into a depreciating asset.As with other products,...
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Do fresh products sold in vending machines meet the same...
The preservation of fresh products sold in vending machines is subjected to strict regulations. This preservation, in a temperature-controlled...
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How to take care of vending machine replenishment? Do you...
Depending on the service plan, the replenishment of a snack vending machine or a drink vending machine may be taken care of by the business where...
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Buying a copier: how to make the right choice?
To choose a copier perfectly suited to your needs, it is important to pay attention to many details: features - copying only, printing, fax,...
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Printer lease contract cancellation: how does it work?
Cancellation terms of a printer lease contract are specified in the contract. However, it should be noted that, as a general rule, cancelling a...
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Refurbished professional copiers: how much are they?
A refurbished copier is a used device, or demonstration equipment refurbished by authorised professionals. It is therefore a device in which some...
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Copier lease contract: is it possible to renegotiate...
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to renegotiate a binding photocopier lease contract. In most cases, relocation is not provided for in the...
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Printer pool: what should I do when headcount increases?
It is generally advisable to start by auditing business needs. In the event of headcount or business growth, increasing the number of printers is...
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Where can I find suppliers of office printers, copiers or...
Several hundred businesses offering printing and copying equipment both for sale and to lease are listed on our website. Manufacturers,...
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How to assess the lifespan of a printer or office copier?
To assess the lifespan of a printer or photocopier, it is important to take into account the following parameters: type of business (very small...
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Multifunction printers: what are they?
A multifunction printer is a versatile printing device suitable for individuals and professionals alike. It is able to perform several tasks:...
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Laser printer or inkjet printer: which type should I choose?
Inkjet printers work with ink cartridges, the cost of which must necessarily be considered before making a decision to purchase any printer since...
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Digital copiers: how do they work?
Digital copiers allow you to reproduce a large number of documents in perfect laser quality. High-performance, low-noise emitting and programmable,...
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What is a copier or photocopier?
A copier or photocopier is an office device which allows you to make copies of images, plans, texts, in different formats, in colour and / or black...
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How to calculate the price for installing a printer pool?
The best way to enjoy quality equipment without spending to a fault is to create an open printing space rather than providing a printer for each...
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Printer, copier, MFP: what are the differences?
Printers, photocopiers and multifunction machines are office equipment devices which belong to the same family but fulfil different purposes:...
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Printer leasing: how does it work?
Leasing is a financing method also called leasing with option to purchase. This is like an elaborate, long-term rental system for printing...
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How to reduce office printing costs?
Replacing an inkjet printer with a laser printer can significantly reduce printing costs. However, since laser equipment is much more expensive...
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Multifunction printers: what are the present trends?
The new generation printer is multifunction and WiFi compatible: it can therefore operate in a wireless network. It offers perfect black-and-white...
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Copier rentals: how long should the contract last?
The length of a copier rental obviously depends on the needs of the business. If the needs are occasional, a short-term rental is more than...
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How to choose the right multifunction printer supplier?
Selection criteria for a supplier of IT equipment may include reputation, financial strength, proximity, quality of after-sales service and speed...
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Do you have to pay for the recycling of photocopiers?
As part of an economical waste management policy that respects the environment, recycling photocopiers must comply with applicable legislation...
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Office photocopier: lease or purchase?
It all depends on your budget and your requirements. Renting a photocopier (or leasing it) is a fairly expensive solution, but it allows you to...
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Office copiers: what are the possible causes of breakdowns?
Among the failures that occur relatively frequently on a photocopier, the following can be found: memory saturation: in general, this problem can...
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Office copiers: how to finance a purchase and claim back...
The purchase of a photocopier can be financed with a bank loan as part of an equipment loan. Restricted to companies, equipment loan avoids the...
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What is the price of a professional large format printer?
Also known as a plotter or tracer, professional large format printers are ideal for printing plans or posters. Available in many models, large...
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Digital copiers: what are the key features?
As digital technology is gradually replacing traditional gear, today's printers are more and more often “all in one” products. Which means that...
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Office copier: how to make the right choice?
Before choosing an office copier, you must first evaluate your needs. Does the device have to be a multifunction copier, that is, also work as a...
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Business printer maintenance prices: how much are these...
Businesses choosing professional printing equipment are often proposed a maintenance contract. This type of contract generally includes the...
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How many cans can be placed inside a drink vending...
There are many can vending machine models, and their capacity can vary greatly (50, 100, or even up to 250 cans and more). This makes it an...
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How to clean a vending machine?
The cleanness of every part exposed to contact with food items must be faultless. It is therefore essential to clean the following parts of a...
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What are self-management and full-service vending machine...
Full-service plans imply that the vending machine is made available for free by the provider. The vending machine, with full-service plans, doesn’t...
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What is a combo vending machine?
A combo vending machine dispenses several types of products such as ready meals, confectionery, candies, breads, hot and cold drinks. This type of...
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Water coolers: can they also dispense hot water?
If water coolers are especially sought after during warm summer months to dispense chilled water, some models may be used any time during the year...
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Installing a water cooler in your office: where’s the...
For several reasons, it’s best to ask oneself where to install a water cooler even before selecting the water cooler model, as the answer to the...
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How to maintain office water coolers?
Both bottled water coolers and plumbed-in water coolers require regular maintenance so that proper operation and the quality of water dispensed are...
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Water cooler suppliers: who are the main market players?
The UK market for water coolers is one of the most competitive in Europe. Suppliers compete on the number of models, their features, but also, more...
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What payment systems can be installed on a vending machine?
Payment systems which can be used by vending machines are: coins, banknotes, prepaid cards or tags, tokens. {fmt_block_api type='form' cc=525...
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Who can enjoy full-service vending machine plans?
Full-service vending machine plans can be subscribed by companies with over thirty or forty headcount, or with a daily traffic of about forty...
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What is vending machine maintenance about?
Vending machines require maintenance operations as they dispense food products. It is recommended to resort to a specialised technician, as these...
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What are the benefits of a hot and cold drink vending...
More and more vending machines can be found everywhere, in public places (airports, train stations, etc.) as well as in private places (offices...
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Vending machines: is it possible to customise the choice...
This question only makes sense with full-service plans. With self-management plans, the business customer is fully responsible for machine...
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How can vending machines be coated and/or protected?
Among the main optional security elements which can be added to a vending machine, protective equipment items have a very dissuasive effect. It may...
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Vending machines: how do they work?
Although they are more and more common, users still ask about vending machines: “how do they work?” Preliminarily, it’s necessary to understand...
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Where’s the best place to install a vending machine?
Several factors should be observed when choosing an installation location. Technical aspects first: the device should be connected to a wall...
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How to choose the right vending machine supplier?
Vending machines are everywhere: in transportation hubs, in cinema theatres, in shopping centres... and at the office! These machines improve well...
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Vending machines: how to make sure expiry dates will be...
The vending machine provider, or his service provider, meticulously checks every product left in the vending machine: candies, chocolate bars or...
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What are the benefits of full-service vending machine plans?
Self-management of vending machines can generate significant profits, especially when the machines are installed in high-traffic areas. Besides,...
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What products can be found in a fresh food vending machine?
The range of available products which can be found in vending machines has been growing for several years now. These days, we can find bread...
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How do business drink vending machine coin mechanisms...
Each coin has specific features such as magnetic features, weight, diameter and thickness. The coin mechanism is therefore programmed to...
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How much does renting or buying a vending machine cost?
About buying vending machines: A hot drink vending machine with less than 100 cups and 10 drink choices may cost less than £1,000 and up to £2,000...
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What is a PAC?
A PAC is a Portable Authorisation Code. This is a unique identifier assigned to each mobile phone contract which allows customers to easily change...
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Who takes care of installing a VOIP network?
You can install your VOIP network yourself. In order to do this, find the modem and telephone handsets provided by the telecommunications service...
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Do all mobile carriers offer the same network coverage?
Not quite, as MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) do not have the same number of relay antennas, and these antennas are not always located in the same...
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I’m a tradesman. Is a business triple-play internet plan...
Yes, with an internet plan for professionals, you may enjoy unlimited calls to all landlines and mobiles as well as unlimited broadband Internet...
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What are the benefits of VOIP for professionals?
VoIP mode telephony is based on a simple Internet connection. The main advantage is cost control as in the case of VOIP, it only takes an Internet...
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How to install a business landline?
If you do not yet have a telephone landline because your premises have not yet been connected to the network or if the former resident’s line...
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How much are business mobile phone plans?
Prices of mobile phone plans depend on a lot of different criteria: Type of package desired: telephony only (1, 2 or 3 hours? Unlimited?), SMS /...
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How to compare business mobile phone plans?
There are different criteria to help you compare business mobile phone plans. These criteria obviously need to be prioritised according to your...
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How factoring can help your business?
Factoring is an effective financial tool for new and small companies, providing convenient short-term financing. Many businesses sell their...
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What are premium-rate telephone numbers like 09 numbers for?
Premium-rate numbers such as 09xx are non-geographical phone numbers charging special communication rates. Communication rates to these phone...
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Established mobile network operators and MVNOs: is there...
There is no difference. Indeed, as they do not operate any technical infrastructure of their own, MVNOs - virtual mobile network operators - use...
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How to choose the right phone service provider?
Choosing a telephone service provider is not only about price, especially as most carriers offer comparable prices for their business plans....
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I need 4 landlines in my workplace, what are the...
You have two main solutions to get four landlines in your business: You can purchase a digital or IP mini-switchboard. The price of this equipment...
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What is the best business phone service provider?
All major established phone service providers offer relatively similar packages in terms of price and services, so it’s difficult to say which one...
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How to choose a business landline phone number?
Some telephone service providers offer the possibility of choosing a custom professional landline number as a paid service. In this case, service...
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What is a business fleet of mobile phones?
A fleet of mobile phones is the sum of all mobile phones used by the employees of a company, grouped together by a common telephone subscription,...
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Office alarm systems: which types are the most effective?
Technology used varies a lot between different models. Anti-intrusion alarms use more or less sophisticated sensors. You can also configure them...
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What is an IP camera?
A network camera or IP camera is a device which uses a local or wide area network (the Internet, for example) to carry data, rather than wiring....
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Wifi or wired CCTV surveillance systems: which type is...
It’s a question of costs and needs. Wireless CCTV surveillance systems and wired installations both have their advantages and disadvantages:...
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Shopkeepers: how to install a CCTV surveillance system?
Your commercial property is open to the public, so you must observe certain regulations: Staff is not authorised to view recorded videos, only the...
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Office CCTV surveillance systems: can they be used to...
You can install a CCTV surveillance system in your company to ensure the safety of equipment, but also of people. However, CCTV surveillance should...
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Office CCTV surveillance systems: what are their prices?
Naturally, the price will depend on the size of the premises which need to be equipped, the type of equipment chosen and the level of services...
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How do mechanical push-button locks work?
With a mechanical push-button lock, opening the door is only possible after entering a confidential code (consisting of numbers and / or letters)...
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Smart locks: how do they work?
Smart locks eliminate the need for a key. Connected to a smartphone, they can be locked and unlocked remotely. To open the door, you don't need to...
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CCTV surveillance systems: what’s the legal framework?
It all depends on what business you’re doing and where you want to install your CCTV cameras! Indeed, the use of CCTV surveillance at the workplace...
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What is biometric access control?
Biometric access control recognises individuals by recognising their physical features. The two most common biometric characteristics used are...
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What kind of access control system is a video doorbell?
A video doorbell is a security device which allows you to control the access of visitors to various places where it is necessary. It includes: a...
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Card readers: what technology should I choose?
There are several types of card readers: smartcard readers, magnetic stripe card readers, contactless card readers, RFID tag readers......
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How does a password electronic door lock work?
Password electronic door locks require keying in a confidential password (consisting of numbers and / or letters) to be unlocked. Unlike mechanical...
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CCTV surveillance cameras: can they work at night?
Yes of course, there are CCTV surveillance cameras which can work at night. They are in fact essential tools to keep your goods under surveillance...
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What are the different devices in a CCTV surveillance...
A complete CCTV surveillance system includes several devices: one or more wired or wireless CCTV cameras, a display where recordings can be viewed...
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What is the definition of radio transmission for CCTV...
There are several ways of transmitting data over a distance, like using radio waves or sending the data over the Internet. Radio transmission for...
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Smartphone-controlled office security: what are the...
Yes, you can keep your office under surveillance from your smartphone, and even control your CCTV surveillance cameras with your mobile device. To...
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How big an area can one CCTV surveillance camera cover?
The larger the area you want to monitor, the more surveillance cameras you will need… For a small room, a webcam connected to a PC may be...
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Do CCTV surveillance cameras have a good resolution?
Of course, it depends on the equipment used: Analogue CCTV cameras which use solid cables provide good picture quality, but sometimes it will be...
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After purchasing the equipment, do I have to call a...
When the chosen system requires installation, a professional installs the device. Usually, this is a relatively quick process and it is taken care...
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How much are vehicle tracking systems, subscription-based...
The sophistication of these systems, their features, their suppliers are naturally as many factors determining the prices of geolocation of...
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What are the different vehicle tracking systems?
Systems using GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite positioning technology are the most widely used vehicle tracking systems when company...
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Company vehicle tracking systems: can they boost...
Vehicles tracking systems bring several benefits to businesses, especially in terms of productivity: Real-time and deferred reporting features...
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Should I buy or lease my GPS tracking system?
Depending on the size of the vehicle fleet, or the objectives of vehicle tracking programs, the question of choosing between purchasing the...
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Lorry / HGV tracking systems: are there specific packages?
Yes there are. Road transport companies have very specific and sophisticated vehicle tracking needs: Lorry or HGV fleet tracking is now a must-have...
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What is the link between vehicle tracking systems and...
Yes indeed, for a growing number of insurers, the installation of a vehicle tracking system and cheaper insurance premiums go hand in hand. This is...
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Taxi GPS or GPRS tracking: how does it work?
Indeed, taxi GPRS taxi tracking systems rely exclusively on mobile telephony networks. GPRS is a packet switched data transfer standard (the exact...
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GPS systems for agricultural vehicles: what are their...
Geolocation of agricultural vehicles really does give farming professionals an edge in performance gains and working comfort. There are several...
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How much are fuel card subscriptions fees?
Business fuel cards as a tool for managing professional expenses related to vehicle fleets are used by an ever-growing number of businesses, from...
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What are the benefits of fuel cards?
Fuel expenses represent up to 30% of company vehicle usage costs. Benefits of fuel cards do not only include the discounts on pump prices which...
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How to order fuel cards from providers?
The burden of fuel expenses and corporate vehicle fleets has become so heavy that more and more executives choose to use dedicated business fuel...
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What’s the legal framework regulating fuel cards?
There are strict rules concerning vehicles and fuel expenses in any organisation. While there is no specific legislation for fuel cards, the use of...
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What are the necessary steps to cancel a fuel card contract?
When choosing a fuel card for one’s organisation, it’s especially important to get information about contract cancellation procedures. The fuel...
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Business fuel card: what services are included?
Business fuel card helps you manage professional fuel expenses better. While some fuel cards give their users access to discounts on petrol and...
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What’s a multi-brand fuel card?
The first market players in the field of fuel cards were the major oil companies, in order to build up customer loyalty and tie his customers to...
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Is it necessary to buy a POS weighing scale?
POS weighing scales are indispensable in grocery shops and in supermarkets selling fruits and vegetables. They make it possible to weigh food sold...
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Can we connect a credit card machine terminal to any...
A credit card machine terminal will work when connected to a traditional phone line. However, transactions will then be made by dialling a premium...
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Which POS software should I choose?
You have to choose a POS software solution that’s at the same time easy to use and right for your specific business. For instance, the POS software...
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Do some POS systems or tills offer any solutions against...
Indeed, there are some ePOS software solutions which make it possible to monitor and secure points of sale with CCTV cameras. The till must be...
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What are the different types of POS terminals?
There are three kinds of POS terminals (Point-of-Sale terminals): Modular POS terminal. This kind of terminal can be adapted to work in any point...
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Is it possible to redeem luncheon vouchers with a till?
Yes indeed, it’s possible to cash in luncheon vouchers with a till if the till has the right software installed. Some Point of Sale (POS) software...
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Counterfeit detectors: how do they work?
There are two types of counterfeit notes or counterfeit money detectors: Human decision detectors rely on exposing the watermark area to white...
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Traditional till or POS system: what’s the difference?
The traditional till or cash register is a sort of big calculator with a keyboard, a price display, a receipt printer and a cash drawer. It may...
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POS systems: what is an order management system?
Yes, it’s possible with restaurant POS system packages. In these Point of Sale system packages, the till, software and peripherals are included in...
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Touchscreen tills: do they require an internet connection?
The till itself does not need an internet connection to work. But some Point of Sale (POS) systems do need to be connected to the web so that the...
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How to hook up a cash drawer and a customer pole display...
If the cash drawer comes with a connection cable, it has to be plugged into the back of the receipt printer. When there is no printer, the cash...
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Stock management right from the till: is it possible?
Stock management is possible if the till or Point of Sale system (POS) is equipped with software with the corresponding feature. This is the case...
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Can I turn my PC into a cash register or till?
Yes indeed, there are many software solutions which can help you turn your PC into a real cash register or till. Some are downloadable for free on...
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Business vehicle tracking systems: what’s the best choice?
Business vehicle tracking systems bring many benefits, most importantly increased salespeople performance and revenue growth. Choosing a GPS system...
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How much is a GPS motorbike tracking system?
The price of GPS motorbike tracking systems is generally the same as the price of car or HGV tracking systems, as it’s basically the same gear!...
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How much do fuel cards cost for a business?
Implementing a fuel card program in a given company becomes a must after a certain number of vehicles in a company fleet has been reached. Besides...
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GPS systems for ambulances: how to choose the right product?
For emergency transport professionals, it is absolutely necessary to: Be able to locate the closest ambulance to an intervention site as quickly...
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How to optimise fuel consumption monitoring with company...
Vehicle tracking systems using GPS technology do not only make it possible to track vehicles themselves. They also make it possible to retrieve...
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What are the accessories of a touchscreen POS system?
Several peripherals can be connected to a POS system. A cash drawer, for instance, is a necessary add-on. Many different models of these are...
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Using a fuel card: how does it work?
In order to simplify the management of corporate fuel expenses and optimise vehicle fleet monitoring, fuel cards are a wise and easy to introduce...
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Purchasing a PDQ machine: what selection criteria?
You should choose the PDQ machine or credit card machine which best meets your needs and budget, depending on the nature of your business,...
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How to choose a fuel card provider?
Choosing a fuel card provider should not be taken lightly. It’s however a quite simple thing to do with the right method, and even more so after an...
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How much is a till or POS system?
The price of a till greatly varies from one model to another. It depends, of course, on the level of technology used but also on the peripherals...
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How does an iPad POS system work?
In order to turn your iPad into a till or a Point of Sale system from you have to first download a dedicated app. On Apple’s App Store, you’ll find...
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Which till system is best suited for your business?
A touchscreen till system or ePOS perfectly meets the needs of a shop, a restaurant or any corner shop. Intuitive and user-friendly, it’s a real...
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Implementing a business fuel card program: how does it work?
Implementing business fuel cards is a management decision which brings fantastic returns on productivity and finances. Business fuel cards indeed...
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Business fuel card quotes: what makes prices different?
Bringing fuel cards to your business requires getting in touch with many suppliers, which then review business details and specific needs to draft...
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Why should I connect my PDQ machine to my till?
The PDQ machine (Process Data Quickly machine, usually simply referred to as a “credit card machine”) allows users to: Read credit card data,...
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Who can use fuel cards?
Business fuel cards are available to tradesmen, SMEs, as well as to very small businesses and public institutions. Fuel cards are a choice ally to...
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What are the main fuel card providers in {year}?
Many businesses decide to simplify their fuel expenses management by using the services of a fuel card provider. This helps rationalise processes...
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Business fuel card renewal: how does it work?
How fuel cards work is really simple. These smartcards with PIN codes allow staff of client companies to pay for their fuel expenses in all partner...
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Buying a fuel card: how to choose the right one?
Choosing the right fuel card for a specific business requires careful consideration of several criteria in order to enjoy all the benefits attached...
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Business fuel cards expiration: how long can I use them?
Fuel cards usually expire within 12 to 48 month after they are issued, depending on providers. Once businesses receive the cards, it’s the...
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Is it possible to rent or lease a till system?
Yes, rentals of till system or Point of Sale (POS) system, together with matching software, are possible. In order to benefit from a till system...
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Which fuel card is right for my business?
While it’s true that that more and more companies opt for these fantastic tools called fuel cards, interested users nonetheless have to carefully...
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How to get fuel cards?
Installing a fuel card or fleet card system in any business is a great way to make refuelling easier, but also to make all the accounting related...
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What are the benefits of a POS system?
Till systems and Point of Sale system (POS) are designed to make you save time by making your work and the work of your staff simpler. Reducing...
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How does invoicing work with fuel cards?
Simplified invoicing is one of the many benefits brought by fuel cards, and certainly not the least appealing. Indeed, these cards make it possible...
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Is it true that UK businesses are required by law to...
Actually it's true! A 1992 Workplace Regulation stipulates that "an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be provided for all persons...
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Should you buy, rent or lease the machine?
If you want to provide drinks and/or snacks to employees and visitors the simplest financing arrangement is to rent your vending machine. Your...
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How much would it cost to keep a vending machine in the...
As with most office equipment, the cost of a vending machine may be broken down into a few basic components. First is the initial acquisition...
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What are all the costs involved in acquiring and...
First of all you will face the initial cost of acquisition (the purchase or rental contract payment plus initial stocking of your machine), which...
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What do I need to focus on when choosing a vending...
Once you’ve decided what you want to make available for your staff and visitors (hot drinks, cold drinks, snacks, or a mix of some or all of these)...
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What types of mobile phone tariffs are available for...
Mobile phone tariffs can be broken down into four basic categories: Pay As You Go plans, Monthly contracts, SIM-only contracts, and bundle deals....
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Which reception phone system should you choose for your...
To better respond to calls from your patients I advise you to install a VoIP business telephone system at you reception desk. This type of solution...
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Is there a clause to opt out of pension plan's auto...
As an employer you cannot opt out of your responsibility to automatically enroll eligible employees into an automatic enrolment scheme. Opting out...
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How much can my business save by having our payroll...
The savings you derive from outsourcing your payroll function will depend on how many employees you have. Many full service payroll service...
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Outsourcing vs software: what's the most cost-effective...
If you don't have too many employees it may make sense to acquire specialised software and keep the work in house. But then again, you'll need to...
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How do private plans (PMI) compare with NHS cover?
Although the NHS continues to provide first class healthcare, the system has come under increasing pressure in recent years. That by itself is not...
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Is there a “universal” fuel card that can be used at any...
Unfortunately no fuel card provider offers fuel cards that can be used at all petrol stations. But you can check with a few major suppliers and get...
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What is the difference between fixed price and pump price...
Fixed price cards provide a fixed nationwide price which is determined weekly, based on the ‘’bulk’’ market price. With this type of card your...
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Are all star fuel cards tax deductible?
When you have an All Star fuel card, you pay a network service fee for each card transaction. This fee covers the cost of maintenance, service, and...
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Why are free gift vouchers with credit cards dangerous?
The UK market is still recovering from what we can only refer to as the ‘recession’, as a result of this credit cards are becoming easy things to...
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Can I create a return envelope (Stamp Addressed Envelope)...
Hi Dave, Firstly, any franked mail must be sent on the same day. So franking mail in order to be sent out the following day is not allowed. This...
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How much savings can you expect with a franking machine?
Royal Mail business franking customers pay 30-40% less than businesses using stamps and in some cases, value-added tax can be reclaimed. Franking...
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What's the difference between Letter of Credit and...
Hi Sujamol, Factoring usually involves the purchase of a accounts receivable of the company (the beneficiary's) by cash. This is usually done when...
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How do I go about ending a factoring agreement?
The steps to take to end an arrangement with a factor prior to the agreed term should be spelled out in the contract itself, which you should...
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What criteria do my company need to satisfy in order to...
Invoice discounting is typically available to larger companies with established credit control systems and annual sales turnover above £500,000...
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Is it possible to use find a multi-merchant terminal?
Hi Jodie,In locations where business entities share a single payment processing terminal, it is often difficult to determine which business entity...
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Are mobile card payment terminals better than fixed...
Neither type is "better" than the other; they just have different advantages. For instance, if you operate a restaurant you may prefer a mobile...
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How much are fees for credit card machines?
Card transaction fees vary from one merchant card service provider to another. They can also vary according to the type of business you operate....
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What kind of card terminal do I need to take contactless...
There are several contactless readers and terminals available, including add-on contactless readers, fully integrated point-of-sale systems, mobile...
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What do I need to have in place in order to accept credit...
You can accept card payments from customers for purchases over the telephone with either a card payment terminal or an online card payment gateway....
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What is the maximum resale price for electricity?
The maximum resale price of electricity is the most that you can charge for re-selling energy that you purchased from a power supplier. This...
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Printer buy or lease: what are benefits of each solutions?
Purchasing office printers makes sense for big companies with big budgets, but it makes more sense for smaller businesses to lease their office...
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What are the most durable printer for heavy use?
Both inkjet and laser printers can handle the heavy printing demands of a busy office. But laser printers are designed to handle high-volume...
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What's the most cost-effective printer-photocopier solution?
Multifunction printers (MFPs) are probably the most cost-effective solution for a small office. An MFP will handle all your photocopying needs and...
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Where can I get the best deal on a multifunction printer...
A multifunction printer (sometimes referred to as an “MFP”) is the real workhorse of many offices, handling all the printing and photocopying plus...
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Is fleet insurance more or less expensive than regular...
Fleet insurance is similar to private car insurance in most respects. The difference is that you need two or more vehicles to qualify for a fleet...
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Is short-team cover available for professionals?
Absolutely. In fact you can get short term public liability insurance for as little as a single day. Terms and rates will depend on your...
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What insurance is needed for ear piercing?
If you start your ear piercing business, the first thing you need is employers’ liability insurance, which is mandatory. You may also need other...
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What type of company can benefit from outsourcing its...
It really depends on the size of your company. If you're a sole trader or only have a few employees it might make sense to hire an external credit...
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Are HVAC systems more practical to heat and air an office...
Absolutely. Such a system is known as HVAC, a combined unit for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC systems provide a constant,...
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Why you should think hard about credit card rewards?
Credit card rewards programs tempt consumers with easy gains, but financial market experts say they distort consumption patterns.Credit cards are...
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Is HVAC the most efficient way to heat my office space?
HVAC combines heating, ventilation and air conditioning in a single system. HVAC systems provide a constant, reliable temperature and humidity...
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Credit Card Payments: how does the 4-part communication...
Credit card transactions are four-part communications.There is the ‘sender’, who originates the communication. Then there is the ‘receiver’ on the...
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Why are PDQ the best deal for small businesses?
PDQ card terminals are speeding up payment transactions and leaving old payment methods behind.Small businesses are just like small creatures in...
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How does a photocopier actually work?
A photocopier is one of many tools used by millions of people every day without any thought as to how it does what it does. But in fact the process...
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Air conditioning: what are the new regulation for...
A common component in air conditioning systems will soon become illegal, forcing UK businesses across all industries to begin making plans to...
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How are renewable energy subsidies driving the UK market?
A recent report showed that nearly 400,000 renewable energy projects were installed in UK homes and businesses in the first three years of the...
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How can fuel cards help combat high UK road fuel price?
The Office of Fair Trading recently declared that the UK has some of the most expensive petrol and diesel prices in Europe.The OFT reports that...
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What are the best practicese for invoice finance industry?
Some good news just got a little better: the organisation that sets and enforces best practices for the UK’s invoice finance industry released an...
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Is Dial Through Fraud costing your business money?
More and more businesses are falling victim to Dial Through Fraud, a kidnapping of a business phone line for making illegal calls. If you run a...
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What are the new UK accounting rules?
If you’re an accounting professional you may already know that the Financial Reporting Council plans to replace UK GAAP financial reporting...
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Barclays factoring
Barclays, a bank every single British person probably knows, also provides factoring services. Barclays factoring takes advantage of the bank’s...
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A grant of £3.000 to upgrade your broadband connection
The government grants up to £3.000 in the form of a voucher for small businesses to boost their broadband connection in 50 countries across the...
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Global coffee event in Italy
Representatives from the coffee industry throughout the globe are set to gather in Rimini, Italy in June for World of Coffee, Rimini 2014.World of...
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Apple releases new cheaper iPhone 5C
Apple has launched a new entry-levelversion of its iPhone 5C smartphonein Europe, China and Australia. Thelatest Apple handset retails for £429.The...
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UK stamp prices creep upward
The Royal Mail has announced a slight increase in stamp prices which will take effect on 31 March.The price of a first-class stamp will increase by...
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3D printing used to rebuild accident victim’s shattered face
Doctors at Morriston Hospital in Swansea have reconstructed the face of a serious motorbike accident survivor using custom implants made with a 3D...
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Switching energy suppliers to get easier
250,000 UK energy customers switched to a different supplier in February, representing roughly one percent of the total customer base. A new...
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London Coffee Festival kicks off on 3 April
The London Coffee Festival will bring together more than 20,000 coffee lovers at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane from 3-6 April 2014.The...
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Factoring finances 2013 growth
UK companies using factoring and other asset-based finance methods turned in an exceptionally strong financial performance in the last quarter of...
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Ukraine crisis and UK petrol prices
UK petrol prices are at a three-year low, but a British automotive group has warned that the political crisis in Ukraine may soon push pump prices...
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Big year for contactless payments
Contactless card payments in the UK increased sharply in the first half of 2013, and the UK Cards Association anticipates a final yearly total of...
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UK credit card fraud rises in 2013
The UK Cards Association’s recently released Annual Report 2014 notes that debit and credit card fraud rose in the UK over the first six months of...
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Eden Springs acquires Kafevend
A recent merger has united two of the UK's leading coffee and water vending machine providers.Europe’s leading workplace water cooler and coffee...
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UK card spending continues to rise
A recent study projected that debit and credit card spending will double over the next decade to £840 billion. According to figures from the UK...
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UK energy prices drifting back downward
UK energy prices are settling in the wake the government’s announced change in green levies.Following Scottish Power’s announcement of a 3.3% rate...
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Quick cash with factoring
Factoring is a great way for small businesses to generate convenient short-term financing.Many businesses sell their invoices to factoring...
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Fraud-proof card terminals
Chip and PIN card terminals represent the payment terminal industry’s best hope against card fraud.Card fraudWith Chip and PIN technology, a...
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Card payments gain mobility
Mobile devices are changing the payment processing business and challenging industry leaders Visa and Mastercard.Card terminal optionsAs more...
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3D printers’ role in manufacturing
3D printing is fast becoming an essential part of the manufacturing process. 3D printers (a.k.a. additive manufacturing) work by building tiny...
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All-in-one office machines
Multifunction devices combine faxing, scanning, printing and photocopying –four of the most useful functions in a typical office.Small business...
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BlackBerry for sale?
Troubled mobile phone maker BlackBerry has taken preliminary steps to sell to a consortium led by its largest shareholder. BlackBerry announced on...
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Mobile payments take their toll
Debit and credit payments by smartphone will bring convenience to consumers and profits to card processing companies.There is a frantic race going...
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IPEX 2014 preview on 20 November in London
IPEX, the international trade fair for print, publishing and media, will host an Open Day in London on 20 November 2013.Attendees will receive a...
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Apple releases new iPhone
Apple unveiled two new versions of its iconic smartphone at its California headquarters on 10 September 2013. The iPhone 5S smartphone...
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3D printers go mainstream
UK electronics chain Maplin has become the first high street retailer to sell 3D printers to consumers.3D printing, also known as additive...
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Business insurance: service matters
A recently released report showed that UK business consumers were more likely to switch their business insurance provider than any other service...
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Yawn-activated coffee machine debuts
Dutch coffee specialist Douwe Egberts has created a vending machine capable of detecting facial movements and recognizing a yawn, which prompts the...
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Vehicle tracking systems reduce driver risk
A respected online driver risk assessment group recently reported that nearly one in ten commercial vehicle operators in the UK were ‘’high risk’’...
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Winners and losers under the new ’flat-rate’ State Pension
The State Pension will move to a flat rate system in 2016, improving the lot of some and worsening that of others.As the UK government moves to...