I recommend the Brother Laser MFCs – they have a document feeder, can print, scan, fax, copy and even reasonably OCR.

I have the 7420.  I use it for the normal stuff, printing, copying, scanning, out bound faxing when its just easier to dial the digits (such as those pesky IRS notices I have to get to my accountant).  The Brother is plugged into the landline and so is my accountant’s fax machine, so there’s no worry about encryption or the chance interception of sensitive information over the internet. ;)

I also have online fax through my Onebox account.  I primarily use Onebox for the incoming – calls, voicemails, faxes because I have access to the files, messages and documents that are in my account from anywhere.  I download directly to where needed and delete the rest.

Back to why I recommend Brother MFCs… I also like Brothers as they have a small footprint, automatic document feeders, hold a decent amount of paper and are TWAIN compliant.  Being TWAIN compliant means they play nice nice with other tech such as Dymo File below.

I have heard some complain that their Brother printers seem to have issues with jamming when using envelopes.  I have a Dymo Twin Turbo and use that for labels so really have no need to print to anything but standard paper.  I’ve also heard they can be slow – so make sure any model you get is rated for 20 ppm (pages per minute) or above.

Now, the best deals I have seen on Brother printers are when they go on sale at your local office supply chain store and at MicroCenter.  Of course, you can always check through http://www.pricegrabber.com (HT to Ross Kodner) to see if there are deals on line for one.

In the legal realm especially, there are those who swear by their Fujitsu ScanSnap (including Ross) but I have to point out there are differences.  Some downsides to a Scansnap are that it is not also fax/printer/copier AND you can only scan pages through it.  It does not have a flatbed scanner, like the Brother Laser MFCs.

If you scan a lot, you might want to look into DymoFile – which helps with the scan to file process by allowing you to create a reservation, print out a cover sheet with a bar code which you  place in front of the document to be scanned.  You can stack as many jobs together as you wish.  Whenever you get around to scanning, Dymo File reads the bar code and places the document immediately following the code into the proper folder.  No muss, no fuss (does NOT work with Scansnaps).

(and smootches to Ms. Marilou for noticing I used  “complaint” instead of “compliant” – 2x!!)

Before starting a home based office, here’s a quick list of things to consider:

1. Be certain running a home office is legal. Call your local county clerk and any other local governmental agency/home owner’s association/co-op board for approvals

2. You’ll need defined office space with a sturdy desk, good chair, proper lighting and file cabinet. A separate room is best but if space is tight – use a bookshelf and section off a work area. You should not be able to see your work surface from any part of your home living area.

3. Office equipment – desktop telephone, desktop computer, printer/scanner/copier/fax, smart phone and external hard drive.

4. Office technology – secure connection to the internet and clients’ technology or method to securely transfer files and information with each client, up to date anti-virus software and definitions, licensed software – word processing, e-mail, financial, any specialty software based on service offering, website domain; unified messaging account; off site back up; remote access tech.

5. Ground rules for established times for when you are literally “at work.” Make sure these ground rules are known and respected by all who share your living space. (This one is the toughest!)

I love Fall.  In fact, it’s my favorite season.  Something about the cool, crisp air – the colorful foliage – getting the kids back into the routine of school – Fall just makes me smile.

Fall is also the perfect time to review how your business is doing and where there may be room for improvement.  In fact, how many of you have been thinking it’s time to upgrade something – your computer, smartphone, website… but don’t have the time?  What about outsourcing – are you considering working with a virtual assistant/freelance paralegal/contract attorney?

If so, NOW is the time to start investigating your options and getting all your ducks in a row for a January 1 roll out.

You can’t upgrade everything all at once (without driving yourself nuts that is) so here’s a quick list of things which I consider a no-brainer for upgrade:

1. If you don’t have an external hard drive AND off site back up in place – time to add.
2. Smartphones nearing their expiration (best way to get a deal cuz you can threaten to go to another carrier).
3. Ink jet printers.
4. Non flat screen monitors.
5. PCs more than 3-4 years old.
6. Telephone service that is not VoIP.
7. Tape based dictation.
8. Blogger or Wordpress.org sites.
9. Software/desktop applications more than two versions old.
10. Free anything – generally, if you’re not paying for it, you have no expectation of service or privacy.

This was just a quick list off the top of my head so please feel free to add by leaving a comment.