Buying Used Telephone And Networking Equipment To Save Money
Small businesses and startups are often working with tight budgets and small amounts of cash to set up and run their offices. There are some ways to save money during the setup process, but you have to be careful and not cut corners where they can affect your business. Networking and telecom is one area that you can save, but if you shop right, you can get solid equipment without breaking the bank.
Telephones and Communications
In any office environment, you need to have a solid phone system that allows you to communicate internally as well as externally. The phones are typically set up on a network that is run through switches and networking equipment somewhere in the office. This equipment is expensive, but buying good used equipment from a vendor like Cisco is a good way to get quality equipment at a lower price.
In many cases, you will need to buy the equipment from a company taking it out of their offices and upgrading or at an auction where used gear is sold to the highest bidder. Your telecom contractor may be able to source the equipment for you and help you get everything you will need to set up a reliable system without the high price of new gear.
Computer Networking
Along with a solid phone system, computer networking is important to most businesses. If you have multiple employees and need to share information between them, an internal network with a server that allows your employees to share data is critical. The networking equipment you use to set up the system in your offices does not have to be brand-new, but it needs to be reliable.
Select equipment from top brands when you are buying gear for your network and don't be afraid to pass on equipment you are not sure about. Used switches, servers, and racks from a company like Cisco may still have a lot of life in them and you may find that you can save a lot of money on the front end by starting out with something that has been used elsewhere but still works.
Installing the Network
While the equipment is critical to the network working properly, the installation process is also important. Working with a contractor that knows the equipment and how it works will make setting up your network easier. Let your contractor know what you need from your network and they will be able to put it all together for you so that you can connect your employees to each other and to the world outside the office safely and effectively.
For more information, contact companies like Value Added Hardware.
