Setting up Shop: Skip the fax machine when furnishing your new office

Skip the fax? Yup. If you're working from home or just got a new office space, there are plenty of office gadgets you need but some you don't. The fax is one of them.

P.E. (pre e-mail) faxes were a fast and cheap way to send communications to vendors, clients and the like. But e-mail changed that. Why send a fax when you can e-mail a PDF? It would be a waste of space and waste of precious resources for a fledging business to drop cash on an archaic machine.

Here's what we do like:

Laptops - If you're a one person operation, this is a must. Customers and clients demand accessibility and a laptop will allow you to run your business literally from anywhere in the world. It's a matter of choosing the best laptop for your needs.

Blackberry/iPhone/Take your pick - If you're flying solo, you'll have the world at your fingertips.

Take it or Leave it:

Label Printers - If your business involves direct mail, mass mailing, and detailed correspondence with clients we say go for a Dymo LabelWriter that meets your needs.

Phone System - Operate with phone orders? Have a customer service hotline? You might look in to a phone system. Make sure it supports voicemail, though.