Why Your Technology Financing Strategy is Missing the Mark (And How You Can Fix It)

Tweet

INFORMATION ON FINANCING BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY NEEDS : BEST WAYS TO SOLVE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE NEEDS

Looking for a huge amount of risk, financial risk, and extra cost for your Canadian business? We aren’t’ and you shouldn't be either!

Haven’t you got enough risk in your business life to have to also consider the downside of making the wrong decisions in areas of technology financing services? Surely it’s a fact that computer leasing of pc hardware, servers, and software, aka '
technology finance solutions ', provide both the greatest benefits to your firm, as well as the greatest risk if you structure things improperly.

It's always been clear to us that there are just a huge amount of benefits to your business when your technology infrastructure is throwing your firm off the benefits you had hoped for... (and were promised?)

Another aspect of getting the right tech financing in place is simply the amount of time you and or your key staff in this area can spend on weighing options and considerations .When your finance folks, accounting folks, and those techies aren’t in mutual agreement or in the know about whats going you are leading your firm into potential mistakes and costs you could have avoided.

When we sit down with clients and layout some key issues for them to consider for computer and software leasing one of the key areas we focus on is ' end of term '. It's a simple phrase that has all sorts of ramifications you didn’t think of. And unfortunately most clients focus on starting a lease, and not ending in, which should have the same consideration when it comes to computer and tech financing.

So why is the end of the lease so important in technology financing ?

Simply because that’s when a lot of your risk mitigation kicks in , and , depending on which type of and lease company you are dealing with that’s when their real profit on your transaction often starts . It’s not always about the interest rate, which many clients seem to always focus on a being the most important part of a computer leasing success story.
So whats one example of how you can lose big time in technology financing and end of term .Quite frankly you wont believe how simple, and costly this is! We're talking about 'notification '.

Most Canadian companies don’t either know or understand their notification rights when it comes to end of term. Your lessor may have promised to call you when your lease term is up... if they do, or even better, notify you in writing, that’s great. However when they don't you are in many cases obligated to keep paying for the lease.

Ever paid for something twice by mistake? (We hate it when that happens!) You wouldn’t want to do that in your personal life, and surely with the cost of pc’s, servers, and software you would regret paying for that twice also. That's a bit of an understatement, don't you think?

So discuss end of term options, ensure you understand your rights and obligations, and also diarize when that lease term is up. Never had a calendar been so important!! And by the way, by spending some time on a ' Master Lease ' allows those notifications, rights and obligations to be addressed one time, up front, in writing! That’s smart business.

In summary, we often preach to clients that one of the largest obstacles to technological innovation to your firm is the cost of pc hardware, servers, software, telecom equipt, etc. Consider eliminating that 'obstacle to innovation' by speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian financing business advisor who can ensure you have computer leasing that makes sense , in place, today!







7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.



Stan Prokop

Save thousands (or Millions ! ) Via Technology & IT Financing Via Smart Finance Benefits

Tweet





Make IT Technology Finance Work For Your Business

Information on what strategies can save you thousands, and millions on technology and IT financing . What benefits can you expect to receive when you consider these finance strategies

We probably couldn't come up with the exact number but wouldn’t you agree it’s safe to say that Billions of dollars are spent annually on IT (that’s information technology by the way!) and technology financing. Can you really save thousands, or those millions?! by smart acquisition strategies . We're sure you can and we will show you how.


The acquisition of computer, it, and other technology assets is without a doubt one of the largest Capex spends any medium or large sized business makes. Your make those investments because you are optimistic about the future of your firm, coupled by the need to stay ahead of the competition in the ever changing technology curve.

If your are the owner, chief financial officer, or chief information officer of any firm you want to know what your alternatives are in the areas of IT and Technology finance. Those alternatives comes with different costs, different outcomes, and different risks, all of which make it often a daunting decision when you are at the proverbial fork in the road .

The author of this article spent over 20 years in technology financing and saw trends come and go. The largest trend by far, we think, was the desire of firms to go off balance sheet when acquiring computer, technology and telecom assets. That probably is still a good decision today for many reasons - the main ones being lower monthly payments due to the residual taken by the lessors, the ability to invoke your three rights at the end of the term of the lease, as well as the constant availability of upgrading during the term.

Having said all that there are of course some new international accounting rules that will bring those off balance sheet liabilities back onto the balance sheet. Is that a good thing? We won’t weigh in on that one today... it’s probably good for lenders to your firm as all that debt is now front and center on the balance sheet. Anyway, that’s a discussion for another day.

So how are smart decisions made in technology financing - whether its computers, phone systems, software (yes software can be financed!) etc.

It all comes down to a couple key areas - first of all, if you aren’t proficient in lease calcs work with an expert who will help you assume residuals, interest rates, and proper economic life cycles . If you could afford it (some can’t... some can) the smartest thing to do would be to finance technology and IT on a 2 year FMV lease. That way the residual value established by the lessors would be high, you would be able to flip into new technology in 24 months.

Let's use a 2 million dollar major technology finance acquisition as an example - Using smart financing via an FMV lease a monthly payment on our 24 month term would be approx 71k per month.

Your firm would be the beneficiary of a 400,000 residual investment by the part on the other side of the lease. Your monthly payments to acquire 2 million dollars of technology for 24 months would be only 1.7 Million dollars. If you chose the lease to own route or loan on your technology financing your payments on a typical 36 month transaction would be over 2.2 Million dollars, almost 400k more than in our ' smart finance ' scenario.

So, what’s smart IT and technology financing all about? Its knowing the use of your equipment, its expected useful life, how lessors can play the interest and residual game and how some very basic expert information can put you back into the driving seat on those thousands (or millions) that Canada spends on IT finance for technology .Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced expert to assist you in your benefit recapture in this critical area of business.








7 Park Avenue Financial :
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .

' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.



Stan Prokop

Why Companies Should Consider Leasing Computers and Technology

Tweet

Many companies are not aware of the significant benefits related to acquisition financing in computers and technology segments. The proper term for this type of financing is ' Technology lifecycle management '. Most business owners simply consider the following question: 'Should I buy or lease my firms new computers and software and related products and services?'

Two old adages related to leasing still ring true when it comes to the technological aspect. That is that one should finance something and depreciates, and one should buy something that appreciates in value. Most business owners, and consumers as well know very well that computers depreciate in value. Systems we paid thousands of dollars for years ago are now hundreds of dollars. Walk into any ' big box ' retailer and see the dramatic moves in technology.

Business owners who finance technology demonstrate a higher level of cost effectiveness. The company wants to reap the benefits of the technology over the useful life of the asset, and, importantly, more evenly match the cash outflows with the benefits. Leasing and financing your technology allows you to stay ahead of the technology curve; that is to say you are always using the latest technology as it relates to your firms needs.

Businesses that lease and finance their technology needs are often working better within their capital budgets. Simply speaking they can buy more and buy smarter. Many companies that are larger in size have balance sheet issues and ROA (return on assets) issues that are compelling. They must stay within bank credit covenants and are measure often on their ability to generate income on the total level of assets being deployed in the company.

Lease financing allows those firms to address both of those issues. Companies can choose to employ an ' operating lease ' structure for their technology financing. This is more prevalent in larger firms, but works almost equally as well in small organizations. Operating leases are ' off balance sheet '. The firm adopts the stance of using technology, not owning technology. The lessor/lender owns the equipment, and has a stake in the residual value of the technology. The main benefit for the company is that the debt associated with the technology acquisition is not directly held on the balance sheet. This optimizes debt levels and profitability ratios.

At the end of those operating leases, which are usually 36 months long, the customer has the option of:

1. Returning the equipment
2. Buying the equipment ( not likely though )
3. Negotiating an extension of the financing for continued use of the computers, technology, etc.

Companies that have recently acquired computers and technology can in fact negotiate a' sale leaseback ' on those same assets. This financing strategy brings cash back into the company, as the firm has employed a leasing and financing strategy building on our above noted them - using technology, not owning technology.

In summary, the key benefits of computer and technology lease financing are:

* The company can stay ahead of the technology curve
* Computer leasing and financing has significant balance sheet and income statement benefits
* The firm has flexibility with respect to buying new product, returning existing technology, and generating cash flow for purchases already made

Many of the benefits we have discussed relate to leasing in general. However, technology and lease financing are very perfectly suited to the business financing strategy of leasing.

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


'

Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.


Stan Prokop



















Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stan_Prokop/432698

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3422622

Asset Finance Solutions In Canada : Fixing The Equipment & Computer Financing Needs Via a Leasing Solution That Conserves Capital

Tweet



This Just In – It’s A Shocker ! Computers and Many Business Assets Don’t Hold Their Value !

OVERVIEW – Information on asset finance in Canada. Computer Financing Via An Equipment Lease or other Leasing Strategy Makes Your Capital Work More Efficiently!

Asset Finance challenges for Canadian business owners/financial mgrs brings a whole new meaning to the term ' friends with benefits'. Your company and others are searching for solid help when it comes to help where it's needed most - acquiring expensive assets and technologies such as computers and software for your business. Let's dig in.



We maintain to clients that you need to understand your choices when making lease finance work for you; it shouldn't be a ' forced ' solution.
The whole area of lease finance gives you a positive outlook that you at least have a chance of beating the high price of technology, the fear of obsolescence , and that constant looking over your shoulder ( via the internet ?) at what your competitors are doing .


Taking on debt via long term loans is clearly not the optimal solution for most businesses looking for SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE solutions... Fundamentally, whether they admit it or not, most Canadian business owners and financial managers want to acquire the best asset without burning through those valuable credit lines and other accesses to capital. In some cases they don't even have the credit lines to draw down on.


The good news for Canadian business is that the whole spectrum of technology is in fact financeable, and, as we've noted that includes software, which is a surprise to some. Software is typically financed as a full lease to own scenario, so the key benefit quite often is simply the fact that you are matching the benefits of the software with the cash outflows of a lease finance scenario.


We're making the assumption here that the business owner, CIO, or financial manager has done what most refer to as a ' lease vs. buy' scenario. Here the business person takes into account the life of the asset, all the software licenses and support they will need for the asset, as well as the final outcome re: disposition of the asset. THIS JUST IN - IT'S A SHOCKER! - Computers don't last and hold their value! Many experts and industry analysts actually estimate that you'll have another 25,000.00 of costs associated with the acquisition of, for example, of $ 100,000.00 of new technology.


With all the competition in lease financing today approvals come faster and both small and larger transactions can be efficiently financed. That makes conserving cash easier and has made financing assets the ' go to' solution for asset/tech finance needs. Don't forget also that you have a choice of leasing assets to own, or ' renting ' them via an operating lease strategy.


Lease terms on assets financed can range anywhere from 2-7 yrs. It's critical to know your anticipated use and final value of assets you are financing - that’s when the ' sizzle ' of lease finance appeal makes most sense re convenience, speed, cash flow conservation, etc
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with a reboot of your equipment , tech and software financing needs.



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email

= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


'

Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.


Stan Prokop

Ready To Reboot Your Computer Financing Strategy? Make Equipt Leasing Your New Friend With Benefits For Tech and Software Finance Needs

Avoid A ‘ Forced Fit ‘ . Make Leasing Work For You, Not Against Your Firms Goals


Information on computer financing in Canada . How does the business owner / manager address tech finance software and hardware leasing issues .



There's probably no better time for a (business) friend with benefits than when it's time for computer financing. The whole area of tech finance, whether its computers, software , etc just begs for some solid help, and it's often proven that leasing finance solutions come through just when you need them most - in the world of costly and complex technology assets

We maintain to clients that you need though, to make lease finance work for you, it shouldn’t be a ' forced ' solution.

The whole area of lease finance gives you a positive outlook that you at least have a chance of beating the high price of technology, the fear of obsolescence , and that constant looking over your shoulder ( via the internet ?) at what your competitors are doing .

And let's face it, your boss, or maybe you're the boss are looking to cut expenses, not increase them or take on debt. Fundamentally, whether they admit it or not, most Canadian business owners and financial managers want to acquire the best asset without burning through those valuable credit lines and other accesses to capital.

The good news for Canadian business is that the whole spectrum of technology is in fact financeable, and, as we've noted that includes software, which is a surprise to some. Software is typically financed as a full lease to own scenario, so the key benefit quite often is simply the fact that you are matching the benefits of the software with the cash outflows of a lease finance scenario.

We're making the assumption here that the business owner, CIO, or financial manager has done what most refer to as a ' lease vs. buy' scenario. Here the business person takes into account the life of the asset, all the software licenses and support they will need for the asset, as well as the final outcome re: disposition of the asset. THIS JUST IN - IT'S A SHOCKER! - Computers don't last and don't hold their value! Many experts and industry analysts actually estimate that you'll have another 25,000.00 of costs associated with the acquisition of, for example, of $ 100,000.00 of new technology.

There has naturally been a dramatic change that can't even be properly being described in tech assets for your firm. Today its not just servers, pc's, laptops, netbooks, etc, new focus is on cloud computing and wireless solutions. And all that can still be financed. It always seems to come back to the funding.

It's often the use of lease finance that becomes the solution for the ' budget breaker. Continuously replacing tech assets often calls for budgets to be ' broken ' and that's where leasing plays a key role, eliminating the challenges of fiscal deadlines and fixed spending plans. Some stats from leading IT guru firms indicate that over 50% of all companies, large and small have lease lines of credit available for the financing of their technology. Those solutions include the two main forms of tech finance, capital ' lease to own' scenarios, and operating ' lease to use ' solutions. It's important you pick the lease ' friend with benefit' that suits you most.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with a reboot of your tech and software financing needs.


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/computer_financing_tech_finance_software_leasing.html

Finance Software? Computers ? Little Known Facts on Computer And Telecom Asset Financing

Leasing and Financing Your Tech Assets


Information for Canadian firms wishing to finance software and computers . The right computer and technology financing can be critical to your firms growth and success




Finance Software? Yes you can. Financing computer and telecom assets? Yes ... you should!

Never has the challenge and importance of financing your needs for Information Technology, software services, and telecom assets been more important. Safe to say also that it's a bit of a minefield around properly acquiring those assets. One of the reasons is that quite simply those needs change over time... and, oh yes, they tend to cost a lot more often than not!

As we seem well out of the collapse of the financial markets in 2008 -2009 (we kind of hope/think!) the importance, and access to that capital and those creative solutions seem once again at the head of the table, so to speak.

More sophisticated corporations tend to call it the ' technology sales cycle ', while companies in the Small to medium Enterprise sector in Canada simply call it a ' financial need '!

As you can see, we have a theme going here, and its basically you not only have to know ' what to buy” ... that's your problem, but from who to buy it from and finance it ... and that's where we can shed some light on some of those ' little known tricks ' we've mentioned. And when you master some of those tricks you quite clearly will be achieving a better ROI, as well as the cash flow conservation and budgetary pressures that come with investment in technology assets.

The whole concept of financing tech revolves around one basic premise - you want to be able to acquire the technology you need and at the same time be able to access flexibility, because boy do things change in tech!

So why should you consider the finance of software, computers, etc. Simply because it eases cash flow going out of your business. Many new innovative solutions also revolve around ' pay per use ' program. Quite simply the computer industry has taken the photo copier model and allowed you to pay for computing, printer and telecom power when you use it.

Don't forget to also investigate CLOUD and ASP solutions which also can save you tens perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars in computer hardware investment.

So let's get back to a couple of those tricks of the trade. Cash conservation is one of them, so don’t forget to explore all options when it comes to staggered or flexible payments, and even operating leases which years ago were the ultimate in optimal tech financing - perhaps less so now because of accounting changes, but they are still a cash flow conservations strategy.

When you're budgeting for technology assets don’t forget to keep in mind the total solution, and ensure that solution can be financed. That's when the bundling of software, installation, delivery, maintenance etc can again save you thousands of dollars in outflows of cash. And by the way, one of the premises of leasing anything is the old maxim - ' IF IT APPRECIATES, BUY IT, IF IT DEPRECIATES FINANCE IT. Could any saying be more applicable in computer financing? As a business owner you want to be able to match the productivity benefits with your payments - over time. It's as simple as that.

Canadian business owners and financial managers sometimes have a fear of being ' locked in' to a particular vendor or product. The financing of that technology allows you upgrade and change flexibility to somewhat to a certain degree eliminate the whole issue of obsolescence.

Matching your financing solution and source to computer financing needs is important. If you want to explore those ' tricks of the trade ' and little known facts on methods of financing tech assets speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor .





7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY FINANCING EXPERTISE



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/finance_software_computer_financing_computers.html