For the latest in essential gadgets
An Apple a Day
If your business is suffering from marketing ills, you might want to take advantage of a new online solution for sourcing marketing advice. The recently launched Marketing Doctor (www.marketingdoctor.com.au) is an online service for those looking for answers to marketing questions and aims to bridge the gap between generic marketing advice and the services of full-blown marketing consultancies. And without leaving your desk, we think this is one doctor you won’t mind visiting.
Features:
Detailed answers from a marketing professional within 24-hours
Referrals to specialist marketing organisations
Option for a full-year subscription for unlimited queries, special rates for marketing seminars and workshops and access to a monthly newsletter
Product: Marketing Doctor, online marketing troubleshooting
RRP: $99.95 excl. GST per consultation, or $499 excl. GST for a one-year subscription
Contact: www.marketingdoctor.com.au
Splash Out
Reconcile your accounts while you’re out of the office with the latest release version of SplashMoney. This software is wireless-enabled so Palm OS handheld and smartphone users can use it to manage their affairs on the move. Supporting most account types, SplashMoney enables you to keep track of past transactions while scheduling future actions. Use exclusively on a handheld or download to the desktop, to set up two-way synchronisation.
Features:
Blowfish password protection
Supports multiple currencies
Create budgets, reports and charts
Bank account reconciliation
High resolution display and fonts
Product: SplashData SplashMoney 4.0
RRP: $29.95
Contact: www.splashdata.com
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Number Crunch
For more than the average calculator, check out HP’s latest gadget, the 17bII+ financial calculator. With 250 functions, you can calculate means, standard deviations and cash flows plus add up this week’s coffee kitty, and there’s enough memory to store equations for next week, and the next…
Features:
Two line, 22 character LCD screen
310-page manual
Currency conversions
Four depreciation methods
28KB memory
Clock and calendar with appointments and alarm
Algebraic or Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)
Product: HP 17bII+ Financial Calculator
RRP: $239
Contact: www.hp.com.au
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Easy Does It
Quicken are set to launch new versions of their software for 2005/2006, and among them is a program specifically targeting small business. QuickBooks EasyStart is being launched to help SMEs make the transition from spreadsheet and shoebox accounting. Straightforward headings—Money In, Your Business and Money Out—point you towards each step in the accounting process.
Features:
Create invoices with your logo
Track expenses and pay bills
Cash-based GST reporting
Easy-to-run profit and loss report
Range of reports to analyse financial position
Write cheques and issue receipts
Product: Quicken QuickBooks EasyStart
RRP: $99
Contact: www.quicken.com.au
Notebook Carry-All
Save your notebook from knocks and nicks with a notebook carrier like the new offer from Targus. Its aluminium attache case is padded on the inside with enough room to fit a notebook with a 17-inch screen. And there’s still enough space for files and pens, so you can carry the contents of your desk drawer, too.
Features:
Black/gunmetal colour
Moveable dividers
Expandable file organiser
Mobile accessory sleeve, pen loops, business card holder
Removable carry strap
Self-locking combination lock
Product: Targus Aluminium Attache Case
RRP: $149.95
Contact: www.ht.com.au/cat/Targus
Get A Head
Take on a bit of futuristic style with Jabra’s new wireless headset. Compatible with Bluetooth 1.1 (or higher), it incorporates a range of functions you would normally find on a handset. And the smart volume control adjusts volume automatically depending on the level of background noise, to help keep the voice on the other end coming through loud and clear.
Caller-ID on built-in screen
Jog wheel for volume control and menu navigation
Mute button, redial and call waiting
Charge from PC with USB cable
Up to 6 hours talk time
Product: Jabra BT800 Headset
RRP: $199
Contact: www.jabra.com
