Coming to a Business Like Yours: Webware
Whether you sell a product, a service, or a combination of both, those who are successful have one thing in common... an efficient back-office. But the "cost" of an efficient office has meant using complex accounting and order-entry programs that are hard to learn and can require a computer expert to network many machines together. The software companies have not been standing still during the past two years. They have heard their customers complain and many of them are now coming out with what is often termed "webware" or web-services.
Web services were first made popular by the on-line stock brokers like Ameritrade. The concept spread to banking, then to payroll services like PayCycle and now to the full back-office such that all of the major order-entry, billing, reporting, and financial functions of the office can be done on-line with services like JAYA123 (http://www.jaya123.com) and the Oracle Small Business service. Instead of buying or downloading a large and complex software package that is not only difficult to install but difficult to learn, vendors are now offering on-line services that you simply subscribe to and pay monthly, the same way you pay your ISP or
cable bill. While programs like QuickBooks and Great Plains won't disappear, a lot of small and medium size business are switching to webware. The advantages of these services are many.
First, there is nothing to buy, so you don't end up laying out a chunk of change. Second, there is nothing to install because you access the software on the web using your browser. Third, you can use any kind of computer you wish.... as long as it has a browser. (Some services even run on a Palm Pilot-like device!) Fourth, there is nothing to backup or to crash.
Fifth, you are not tied to any one machine... you can run your business from anywhere in the world. The word "security" comes up all the time. But most experts agree that there is more hype than fact when it comes to Internet security. A well maintained "locked down" server that runs software designed to be a web-service is just as secure or more secure than the office desktop, that is easily compromised by any employee who has access to it, or anyone who might just help it "walk away." And as for "up-time" how often has your desktop crashed compared to how often your Internet connection has gone down or your ISPs server was not available? For most businesses, the answer is obvious.
People have been doing their banking on-line for years. Same with payroll and taxes. There are no known breaches. The back-office order-entry, inventory, etc., is simply a logical extension of what has been going on in other sectors. Should you switch? The answer depends on many factors.
If you have many tens of thousands of customers, you are probably better off with a traditional desktop, multi-user, network system like QuickBooks or Great Plains. However, smaller businesses, especially those on a budget, will find back-office "webware" to be very attractive. Also, if you have remote offices or if you have vendors (like fulfillment houses) that might need access to your data, web services are the way to go. You can buy a "read-only" account and give that to outside vendors (or employees) and they can use it (anywhere in the world) to view data, but not change anything. Large firms have Virtual Private Networks to do all of this.
The small business sector will now have the save advantage. The web is the network! One of the best things about webware is that you can truly "try before you buy" without having to download and install anything. The "demo" that you use on the vendor's web site is the same system that you will
use "for real" when you subscribe. A lot of business people don't use the latest software products (or they don't update the software they have) because they fear they will have trouble installing it or learning how to use the new system. One of the advantages of webware is that everyone knows how to use a browser.
Well-designed webware is intuitive by nature... just like the web. There is hardly any learning curve. Contrast that to learning how to use one of the more popular back-office desktop systems. There is no underestimating what a well-oiled office infrastructure can do for your business.
Being able to take orders, create invoices, account for the money, keep track of customers, do your taxes, and create reports to show you how you are doing are invaluable assets to anyone running a small business. With webware, it finally gets easier..
Alan Canton is the president of Adams-Blake Company, Inc, Fair Oaks, CA. The company provides the JAYA123 back-office web service. Information can be seen at http://www.jaya123.com.Adams-Blake Company, Inc.8041 Sierra StreetFair Oaks, CA 95628Contact: Jennifer Churchmedia@adams-blake.net916-962-9296Free Cell Phone Notification of Your Direct Deposit
Tampa, FL (ContentDesk) July 29, 2004 -- National Payment Corporation today announced EZ Paynote, a free payroll notification service delivered by email or cell phone text message as part of their Direct Deposit Plus Service. "The benefits of Payroll Direct Deposit have now expanded with EZPaynote ? a free cell phone or email text message notification that employees receive when their pay is deposited into their bank account. EZPaynote provides a simple and effective way for employees to know when and how much they have been paid," remarked Jefferson Harkins, President of National Payment Corporation. "EZPaynote is employee self-administered ? a tremendous HR management benefit ? that provides a simple and effective paperless payroll process for any size company. Employers do not have to provide any employee email information or process their payroll differently.
Employees sign up online to receive EZPaynote at any email address or wireless device". Employees receiving Direct...
Free Cell Phone Notification of Your Direct Deposit
Payroll > Free Cell Phone Notification of Your Direct Deposit
America's most unique Courier Service for Washington DC and New York Metro Areas Debuts Offering Same Day Delivery for $75 Flat Rate
An innovative, unique courier service is available to help squeeze an extra day out of your work week deadlines.
Designed for the ultimate in cost-effectiveness and efficiency, your package, up to 20 lbs., is dropped off at our "package portal" by 1030 AM. We guarantee it to be available for pickup by 3PM the SAME DAY at the destination portal.Washington DC to New York City's startup schedule will be Monday-Wednesday and Friday, and New York City's schedule is on Tues & Thursday. There is a special Friday service overnight for New York to Washington DC only for $25.00 which is available Saturday or Monday morning if you prefer.The service is designed so that NO public transportation, airlines, or outside contractors are used to deliver your packages, significantly reducing the chance for loss or delay.There are many uses for the service in today's post 9-11 world of airline and shipping delays.For instance if you miss your Next Day delivery deadline, or just need an extra day...
Payroll > America's most unique Courier Service for Washington DC and New York Metro Areas Debuts Offering Same Day Delivery for $75 Flat Rate
New Prepaid Credit Card from USA Paycard Free For Most Employers
Madison, WI (ContentDesk) July 27, 2005 -- USA Paycard, Inc., a leading provider of payroll disbursement products, today announced its release of its "PayCard", a prepaid credit card that takes the place of the traditional payroll check.
The PayCard can be used in several ways, including regular pay, expense reimbursement (Per-Diem payments), commission payments, bonus or reward payments, paying employees who work off-site, termination payments, payroll adjustments and other one time payments.This payroll card allows employers to use direct deposit for employees who lack a traditional banking relationship.
This translates into lower payroll check processing costs ? an average of $48 per employee, per year according to a 1999 NACHA study.Each participating employee receives a prepaid payroll credit card serving as their paycheck, good at over 1 million ATMs and merchant locations nationwide and everywhere MasterCard is accepted.
Employees are no longer hassled...
Payroll > New Prepaid Credit Card from USA Paycard Free For Most Employers
Payroll Software Review-PayWindow 2006 Payroll System
ZPay Systems has been creating payroll software for over 20 years starting with ZPAY, ZPAY 3 and now PayWindow 2006. This payroll software is easy to use especially if you don't have any experience in accounting.
It is loaded with all of the features you could possibly need whether you are a small, medium or large sized business.
The reporting center is also feature rich with features such as: Check printing, check register, wage reports for Month, Quarter and Year to Date, Tax liability report, payroll history reports employee mailing labels, lists and pay envelope labels, Direct Deposit for all employees, Unlimited Payroll Employees, and accountants can have as many clients (company files) as your hard drive will hold. The software is good for both Macintosh and PC's.
It is full featured payroll software that can be up and running in minutes and you can finally stop paying for expensive annual upgrades to QuickPay (makers of QuickBooks)....
Payroll > Payroll Software Review-PayWindow 2006 Payroll System
Hagel & Company Awarded President's Circle Designation by Sage Software for Second Consecutive Year
Tacoma, WA (ContentDesk) November 16, 2005 -- Hagel & Company, a Sage Software business partner selling Sage Abra HRMS and Sage FAS, has been named by Sage to its Presidents Circle for 2005, the second consecutive year it has received the honor. "Presidents Circle status doesnt come easy, and were happy to bestow this prestigious recognition to partners like Hagel & Company, who have been top performers during the past fiscal year," said Taylor Macdonald, Sage Software executive vice president, channel and sales operations, mid-market division. "The hard work Hagel & Company put in has paid off in their tremendous sales achievements, and we look forward to continuing our mutual success throughout the new fiscal year."Frank Hagel, President of Hagel & Company, said, "We are very proud to have achieved this distinction for the second year. We attribute our growing success to our internal team and its quest for excellence, as well as to our clients and our strategic partners and their...
Hagel & Company Awarded President's Circle Designation by Sage Software for Second Consecutive Year
Payroll > Hagel & Company Awarded President's Circle Designation by Sage Software for Second Consecutive Year
Employees taxes
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Understanding Employee Taxes
Employee taxes can be one of the most difficult to understand areas of running a business and hiring employees. If you don't understand all of the complexities involving employee payroll tax, it can also get you into a heap of trouble.
The first employee tax factor you should understand is what taxes you are responsible for as an employer. There are three employee taxes that you will be responsible for paying.
The first is Medicare and Social Security tax. This is often referred to as FICA and provides welfare benefits funding for senior citizens. As an employer you are responsible for paying half of the FICA taxes and withholdings for your employee while the remaining half is withheld from their paycheck.
You are also responsible for paying federal unemployment tax.
This tax funds the state unemployment benefits and the administrative costs associated...
Employees taxes
Payroll > Employees taxes