The need to save money has always been present but in recent years that need has grown to be the primary concern for most businesses. There are a number of ways that a business can attempt to save money however the trick is to do so while avoiding a loss in company quality and customer connection. Living up to or developing the company brand should always be emphasized even while cutting costs. It can be tough for businesses to maintain their present status while making these adjustments which is why it might be a good idea to consider starting with smaller reductions like using free alternative software applications.
from http://www.openoffice.org/ May 2011
Free software or freeware probably won’t solve any major financial dilemmas that company may be facing but it could be a good place to start. Below is a list of free software that has the potential to save businesses a few dollars while maintaining the quality that their customers have come to expect from them.
Security Software:
Security is crucial for all businesses, whether it’s for Anti-virus or Data encryption it is one of the aspects that should never be neglected regardless of the financial standing of a company. Security programs can be pricy and even pricier when purchasing multiple licenses for an entire office. Most companies feel that in order to have effective security they need to purchase from a well known and expensive provider, which is always the case. Sure, it would be nice to have the best security program available but company funds don’t always allow that. Depending on the type of company and the data that they are responsible for, it’s not unreasonable to utilize free basic security programs. Some of the free security applications that provide basic protection include:
Easy to use security application that helps defend your computer against spyware, viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malicious software.
Free for users who already have a Comcast account. Helps protect your personal information, includes Norton Security Suite to protect against viruses and also has Secure Backup and Identity Guard.
Offers basic Anti-virus and Anti-spyware protection.
Offers basic Anti-virus and Anti-spyware protection.
Provides basic protection from viruses, spyware and offers a password protector.
Office Software:
Most businesses utilize some form of office or word processing software for their every day business activity. Most people are familiar with Microsoft Office however most of the features that Office provides aren’t exactly necessary for everyday use. Several alternative options for Microsoft Office that manage to provide the same primary functions include:
Lets users create documents, spreadsheets, drawings, presentations, and forms all online. Google Documents also provides the opportunity for multiple users to collaborate on the same document in real time.
Very similar to Microsoft Word without the price tag.
This software suite offers free word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases, and more. OpenOffice is probably the best known free alternative that is easy to use and completely free.
Storage Software:
Instead of buying extra hard drive space, offline backups or newer computers a good alternative for extra space is cloud storage. Although you can find good deals on cloud storage for multiple computers the free storage websites shouldn’t be overlooked. Some of the data backup sites that offer limited online storage for free include:
Offers a free 25 GB of online storage with the option to purchase more.
Offers a free 5 GB of online storage with the option to purchase more.
Offers a free 5 GB of online storage with the option to purchase more and saving plans for multiple users.
Free basic version online backup drive or one year trial for their professional version.
Operating Systems:
Free operating systems can save a company a lot of money. It is a common misconception that people are stuck with either Windows or the Mac operating systems but in reality there are many free alternatives available like Linux which is completely open source.
One of the most popular free operating systems, fast, secure, and easy to use alternative.
In addition to those mentioned there is a ton of other freeware applications on the internet that can be used for many purposes and provide financial benefits. Choosing a free alternative requires companies to devote some time to finding the appropriate replacement and be willing to utilize software that may not be as popular as the ones from Microsoft, Kaspersky, and Carbonite.
It is often faster and easier for businesses to spend money in order to get something done which makes it hard to break the cycle of spending. However once a business does get out of that routine they will begin to find more and more alternatives to save money. Again free software is a great place to start for any business trying to reduce some financial pressure. Starting with free software alternatives may seem small but can provide significant savings for most companies. With that being said it’s also very important that when considering free software that you do your research and download only from reputable websites.
Have any free software suggestion? Share them below.
Thanks for Reading have a Great Day!
Dustin
CDTek.com
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