Guest Blogger #622, Entry #1474, August 17, 2012

Perhaps your job allows you to work from home certain days of the week, or you run your own business from your house. Whatever the case, you want a home office that is beautiful and functional.

that’s not just aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and efficient. Even more vital than selecting the right furniture is the setting up of your technology, because without the internet, phone, or access to a network, your business won’t be able to operate.

4 Important Tips Before Setting up Your Home Office

Home office ideas to consider before you setup

Image via: Apartment Home Ideas

Review this checklist from ConnectWise as you’re planning and designing your home office to ensure optimal functionality:

1. Assess the Space:

Identify where your computer, printer, copier, and other systems will be placed in your new home office. Do you need new outlets installed to accommodate your equipment? It’s important to remember if you have servers that they should not share outlets with other equipment.

2. Phone System:

Do you need to install a new phone line and system, separate from your home number? If you’re going to need to purchase a new telephone system for your home office, make sure it’s flexible. Consider features like call transfer, conference, or forwarding, pick-up groups, voicemail, auto-attendant, hold music, and call recording. You may also want to look at specialty internet options in addition to your traditional ones like fiber internet from Sonic, which may provide fast speeds.

3. Choose the Type of Data Connection:

Speak with a managed service provider and determine which connection type will best suit your needs. If you have a high level of data and voice throughout, choose a T1 line. Broadband service can come from your cable TV company, phone providers, and more, and can come in digital T1 or T3 lines, DSL, or fiber optic connections.

Setting up your home office? What do you need to make it a success?

Image via: BHG

4. Plan Your Timing:

It can take up to two weeks for your new service provider to install and get your systems up and running. Time this properly when it comes to your work load, and make plans to work elsewhere if construction or equipment is being installed.

If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of routers and wires, and technology isn’t your cup of tea, utilize an IT services company to ensure your home office is properly set up and connected!

For more home office ideas on Stagetecture, click here.