Q. I am looking for some help desk software to outfit my small organization with. I have used Remedy in the past at other companies and was looking into purchasing it, but their website is incredibly cryptic and doesn't provide any clear answers. So, does anyone have any idea how much I can expect to pay for some Remedy licenses? How about for a site-wide license?
A. In the spirit of transparency, I work for a BMC Remedy competitor. BMC has a couple of reasons to be cryptic about their licensing. First, it is not cheap. Second, their licensing is extremely complex.
If you are a small organization you might want to consider BMC's Servicedesk Express (Magic) product. Remedy will be overkill and Magic will probably be less expensive (I assume they still support and sell Magic...)
Alternatively, I'd suggest you consider software-as-a-service. There are numerous benefits to SaaS including lower ownership costs and ease of use, with no drop off in features and functionality. A couple of examples of SaaS in the IT service management market are Service-now.com (geared to larger organizaitons) and Beetil (geared to smaller organizations).
Subscription pricing for Service-now.com starts at $100 per IT user per month with volume discounts available. The smallest license we sell is for about 40 IT users. It is that simple. We host the application. Training, support, infrastructure, etc. are all included in the subscription license.
We have many former BMC Remedy customers who have switched to Service-now.com. To get you in the ballpark on pricing, one of these former Remedy customers paid about $1.2 million for 300 IT users and 20,000 employees.
Hope that helps a little.
@rglauser
Service-now.com
If you are a small organization you might want to consider BMC's Servicedesk Express (Magic) product. Remedy will be overkill and Magic will probably be less expensive (I assume they still support and sell Magic...)
Alternatively, I'd suggest you consider software-as-a-service. There are numerous benefits to SaaS including lower ownership costs and ease of use, with no drop off in features and functionality. A couple of examples of SaaS in the IT service management market are Service-now.com (geared to larger organizaitons) and Beetil (geared to smaller organizations).
Subscription pricing for Service-now.com starts at $100 per IT user per month with volume discounts available. The smallest license we sell is for about 40 IT users. It is that simple. We host the application. Training, support, infrastructure, etc. are all included in the subscription license.
We have many former BMC Remedy customers who have switched to Service-now.com. To get you in the ballpark on pricing, one of these former Remedy customers paid about $1.2 million for 300 IT users and 20,000 employees.
Hope that helps a little.
@rglauser
Service-now.com
Best sewing machine to personalize items with monograms?
Q. Hello,
I am a beginner, but would like to purchase a sewing machine (embroidery combo maybe) for the main purpose of personalizing my children's things (and some of my own! Would like the flexibility to add their names to towels, clothes, bags, bibs, etc. Also would like to be able to sew pillows, simple dresses, etc. and make appliques. I need something with the best font choices or ability to download different fonts since personalization will be my main thing. I prefer not to spend over $600. Any suggestions?
I am a beginner, but would like to purchase a sewing machine (embroidery combo maybe) for the main purpose of personalizing my children's things (and some of my own! Would like the flexibility to add their names to towels, clothes, bags, bibs, etc. Also would like to be able to sew pillows, simple dresses, etc. and make appliques. I need something with the best font choices or ability to download different fonts since personalization will be my main thing. I prefer not to spend over $600. Any suggestions?
A. Your budget is going to limit you to a combo with a limited embroidery area.
The Brother SE400 will come the closest at $400. You are going to need a little cash reserve for software (to view your downloads - a computer's operating system will not recognize an embroidery format), embroidery thread (poly and not nylon is best for items that may be subjected to chlorine bleach), stabilizer (tear away and cut away to begin with).
The machine will have some fonts and others are available for downloading.
The SE400 has connectivity via a USB cable. You will need a laptop or have the machine next to your desk top computer.
You will need a computer with Windows Operating System.
Brother uses pes format and the hoop size will be the limitation as to the size of the design.
The larger the stitching area (hoop size is usually the indicator) and USB connectivity (flash drive is the more convenient than the cable) can be found with more expensive machines.
Embroidery machines that use memory cards or floppy disks only are obsolete, so avoid any of these "bargains".
The Brother SE400 will come the closest at $400. You are going to need a little cash reserve for software (to view your downloads - a computer's operating system will not recognize an embroidery format), embroidery thread (poly and not nylon is best for items that may be subjected to chlorine bleach), stabilizer (tear away and cut away to begin with).
The machine will have some fonts and others are available for downloading.
The SE400 has connectivity via a USB cable. You will need a laptop or have the machine next to your desk top computer.
You will need a computer with Windows Operating System.
Brother uses pes format and the hoop size will be the limitation as to the size of the design.
The larger the stitching area (hoop size is usually the indicator) and USB connectivity (flash drive is the more convenient than the cable) can be found with more expensive machines.
Embroidery machines that use memory cards or floppy disks only are obsolete, so avoid any of these "bargains".
how do i become licensed and insured to assemble small furniture?
Q. I work at an office supply store and I want to start assembling furniture for customers on the side--just small desks and bookcases--things you would find at a place like IKEA.
A. I don't know of ANY state that requires a license to assemble furniture kits... You can check with your state's Sectretary of State.
If you are going to do this as a 'business' then you may need a business license with the city where you live, or plan to work.
For insurance... all you really need is liability insurance...which is usually based on how much your 'business' labor totals are. I think you will find that you probably do not want this type of insurance, as it can cost more than you will earn, assembling this kind of furniture. Unless you are actually doing something in the home to alter the electrical or plumbing... I wouldnt bother with it.... If I damaged the piece of furniture, I'd just replace it with another... that would be cheaper, in the long run, than paying for liablity insurance.
Liability insurance for a handy-man type service, usually has a minimum amount of insurance you can buy... usually around $100,000.... Now, as I said, if you are doing something to the home's electrical, or structure... or using tools that could damage the home, like torches, welders, etc.... then it would make sense to carry that kind of insurance.
Taxes! You will probably want to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)... you can actually handle this over the phone, if dealing with the IRS, in the US. Doesnt cost anything.
Keep track of your start-up and business costs.... anything purchased in the first year can go towards start-up costs, and as such are 100% deductible. After the first year, you have to 'depreciate' all major purchases.
Quicken (just the regular package) is an excellent accounting software that will help you keep track of all your expenses... I also use Turbo Tax... and it will import the info from Quicken automatically... saving me a LOT of time, when it comes time to do the business taxes, lol. Unless you are a Contractor, or some such, that needs to quote a lot of bits, or estimates... do not bother with QuickBooks. Just the normal Quicken package will work just fine.
Good Luck!
If you are going to do this as a 'business' then you may need a business license with the city where you live, or plan to work.
For insurance... all you really need is liability insurance...which is usually based on how much your 'business' labor totals are. I think you will find that you probably do not want this type of insurance, as it can cost more than you will earn, assembling this kind of furniture. Unless you are actually doing something in the home to alter the electrical or plumbing... I wouldnt bother with it.... If I damaged the piece of furniture, I'd just replace it with another... that would be cheaper, in the long run, than paying for liablity insurance.
Liability insurance for a handy-man type service, usually has a minimum amount of insurance you can buy... usually around $100,000.... Now, as I said, if you are doing something to the home's electrical, or structure... or using tools that could damage the home, like torches, welders, etc.... then it would make sense to carry that kind of insurance.
Taxes! You will probably want to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)... you can actually handle this over the phone, if dealing with the IRS, in the US. Doesnt cost anything.
Keep track of your start-up and business costs.... anything purchased in the first year can go towards start-up costs, and as such are 100% deductible. After the first year, you have to 'depreciate' all major purchases.
Quicken (just the regular package) is an excellent accounting software that will help you keep track of all your expenses... I also use Turbo Tax... and it will import the info from Quicken automatically... saving me a LOT of time, when it comes time to do the business taxes, lol. Unless you are a Contractor, or some such, that needs to quote a lot of bits, or estimates... do not bother with QuickBooks. Just the normal Quicken package will work just fine.
Good Luck!
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