Information Technology And ‘ IT ‘ Computer Financing In Canada Shouldn’t Be Cringe Inducing

Looking For A Technology Financing Sidekick?

OVERVIEW – Information on financing information technology in Canada. ‘ I T ‘ assets such as computer and software solutions require the maximum amount of financing leverage for a number of reasons

Information technology , and in particular ' I T ' Computer financing in Canada doesn't need to be ' cringe worthy '

when it comes to putting the right finance solutions place for your computer, software, telecom and other needs in today’s ultra rapid pace of tech change .










So it would seem your firm might just benefit from a ' sidekick ' shall we say in addressing those financing needs. We suppose that's us, so let's dig in.

One of the most common solutions to acquiring and financing technology has historically been leasing. It's been around almost before the Dead Sea even was ill. And the benefits have always been the same.

The industry summarizes these as:

Asset obsolescence management

Cash flow preservation

Ability to upgrade assets as you require

Pre negotiated 'End of term' options that make sense for the lessee

Customization and Flexibility

It's therefore not hard to see how these key benefits, almost timeless with this type of financing fit nicely into Information technology financing.

Budgets are a key part of any company (large or small) tech finance asset strategy. Sometimes these budgets have timelines that make computer financing for hardware and software needs challenging. Lease financing allows the business owner and financial manager flexibility in managing to that budget, both in terms of funding and timing.

The ability of your company to adapt to new technologies and finance them at the same time will always be a top priority for businesses in today’s highly competitive environment.

Numerous ' accounting ' issues

tend to somehow ' pop up ' when it comes to ' I T ‘asset acquisition. This might be items such as ' depreciation', ' off balance sheet ' accounting for operating leases, book values, etc. It's always smart to consult both your accountants or an experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with the proper handling of those issues.

One of the biggest mistakes that a company can make is to be unwillingly, or ' unwittingly’ locked into computer financing situations that offer no flexibility. In a perfect world you want to strive for the ability to ' scale ' your investments in tech while at the same time knowing you can either ' lock in' or grow at any given time. Lease financing more often than not, properly structured, offers those options.

When you require technological assets it's of course key to select the right vendors and suppliers. While sometimes the vendor and finance solution are separated, in many cases it makes sense to use the ' CAPTIVE ‘finance solutions of your vendor which offer your firm a total one stop solution.

Knowing you have legitimate vendors and lease and finance contracts that are understandable and make sense is key to solid tech financing success.
Simply speaking the right assets and the right financing will help you achieve maximum RETURN ON INVESTMENT - ' ROI '.

‘CRINGING ' doesnt need to be a part o your information technology thought process. Find that ' sidekick' you need by seeking out and speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of success in IT Computer financing in Canada .



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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Technology Financing Expertise





Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

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 '

Stan Prokop

Financing Information Technology Allows You To Stop Chasing Tech Change : Computer Finance Strategies 101 + 102

Untangling Technology Financing Information In Canada

OVERVIEW – Info on financing information technology in Canada . Computer software and hardware finance strategies explained




Financing information technology becomes a lot easier when the business owner / financing manager or information tech manager understands key issues and financing options. Some areas of financing lend themselves perfectly to technology finance - others... well let's just say ' not so well'! Knowing the differences can make or break your tech budgets, and hopefully not your career! Let's dig in.

While no industry moves more quickly than tech even it surprises us sometimes and moves even faster.

Just when you thought you knew all your options in hardware and software selection, as well as financing along comes things like ' Cloud Computing.

(Real time computing over a network with scalable virtual servers and software from a remote location)

That whole issue of scalability, i.e. computing power when you need it and financing for that, has always been an issue. Traditionally it's been handled quite well thank you by using equipment lease financing to address the constant change in hardware and software needs and the actual evolution of those products and services in new versions, etc.

Typically owners would choose a ' capital ' or ‘operating’ lease to match their ownership needs. The danger with a capital lease not arranged well is that it locked the business owner/CIO in to a long term arrangement that often very quickly needed upgrading. So penalties to break the lease were often expensive in the context of total cost of ownership as companies found themselves locked in to hardware and software that needed upgrading.

Enter the ‘Operating lease’ which allowed thousands of firms, large and small to enter into computer leases that seemed to make a lot more sense. Why? Simply because they gave the company the option to buy, return, upgrade, or extend the current computer financing arrangement. That added a load of flexibility to the owner/CIO's tech challenges.

Top experts in the industry tell us that today the ' Accelerated pace of implementation ' is in fact... you guessed it... accelerating!

Larger companies have the benefit of putting large budgets and people assets in place to do major implementations. The business owner in the SME sector is more challenged as they struggle to pick the right hardware and software and not eat into their cash flow and R&D budgets,

Clients in the past who used technology in their R&D and required computing power to perform that R&D could also claim those expenses as part of their SR&ED claim, which was also financeable when filed by the way, Yet that part of the SRED program is in fact being phased out, again making technology financing more of a challenge for Canadian firms who wish to innovate.

Naturally the goal of any computer financing strategy is to lower costs, ease cash outflow, and attain the benefits of the solutions. So having finance flexibility is key, and computer lease financing for hardware and software requirements still makes total sense. (When you have the right lease and lease company in place!)...

Can we provide a good example of why computer leasing works and is used? You knew we could! Although probably not widely known all of Canada’s banks lease computers and software. What??!! Yes, it's true, so we have banks who only lend and guard our money actually borrowing money to finance their tech infrastructure.

Why would a bank borrow money and incur interest and finance costs and lease obligations when in fact they appear to have all the money in the world?! The answer is what we have shared all along here, namely that its not about the capital cost in an ever changing technology world, its about the flexibility to make changes in your tech assets such as hardware and software with maximum flexibility - allowing the banks ( or your firm ) to replace, upgrade, return, renew .. All the while allowing you to... yes... stop chasing change!

If you want to understand your technology financing options seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success in computer financing.




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 10 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 :

7 Park Avenue Financial = Computer And Technology Financing Expertise





Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

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 '

Stan Prokop

Small Business Guaranteed Loans In Canada : Here’s Enlightenment On This Federal Loan Program

SBL Loans In Canada Are Right At The Top Of The Food Chain In Financing For New And Existing ‘ Small ‘ Businesses

OVERVIEW – Information on small business guaranteed loans in Canada. How the Federal SBL loan guarantee program works and when it works best



Small business guaranteed loans in Canada , vis a vis the federal ' BIL ' program often require some ' enlightenment ' on a handful of issues . Let's dig in.

Bar none, the federal SBL program is one of the absolute best financing initiatives for a new or existing small business in the SME sector in Canada.

Why then is 'enlightenment'

required. More often than not that comes in several categories:


Many entrepreneurs simply have not heard about the program

They misunderstand the type of financing required

They don't know where to go or who to reach out to in order to simplify the process

They think the gov't is involved (It is but it isn’t what you think!)



Financing options in Canada come typically under term debt or revolving debt (for example - a business line of credit). It's important to not that the SBL guaranteed loan is a term loan, with fixed repayments at an attractive interest rate. Typical terms are 3-7 years depending on what is financed.

When we talk to clients about federal loans we sometimes get the feeling they are like deer caught in the headlights. That feeling more often than not comes from the issue that they perceive a lot of what we could call ' TRANSACTION COMPLEXITY ‘.

We don't buy into that, as the entire process is in fact very straightforward and well documented. It's a sensible program that requires that you supply the following in order to get approved:

Business plan/ executive summary
Cash Flow
Information on the owners - (mgmt experienced/ personal credit history, etc)
List of items to be financed
Proof of a business premises lease where the business will be located

Those items we've noted allow the loan to evaluated, and if they are submitted completely that should typically just take only several days.

But what about the ' government aspect’ ask our clients? The answer we give is often a surprise. While this is in fact a federal program out of INDUSTRY CANADA the reality is that the borrower never meets, talks to, or corresponds with anyone in government. That's because Small business guaranteed loans are administered by the banks under the direction of the government.

That leads us to the concept of ' guaranteed loans’. What's that all about then? , ask the client. Well here's the scoop on that. Small business SBL government loans in Canada are guaranteed against default by the borrower for the majority of the loan. Borrowers are only personally liable for 25% of the loan if there is a default issue.

Two other quick points:

The maximum loan size is $ 350,000.00

The only items the program can finance are ASSETS and LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

If you're looking for some ' enlightenment ' on small business loans in Canada as a guaranteed by the government seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success in loan financing that suits your business 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 10 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 :

7 Park Avenue Financial = Government Guaranteed Loan Expertise In Canada






Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:
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 '

Stan Prokop

Business Cash Flow Solutions : The Other Side Of Cash Flow Financing And Working Capital Problem

How To Recover From Cash Flow Shortage Shock

OVERVIEW – Information on the business cash flow problem and challenge . How does the owner/financial manager address working capital shortages via solutions that make sense and are cost effective





Your business cash flow problem seeks a solution. The age old situation of a working capital / cash flow shortage often is a ' shock ' situation to many Canadian business owners and financial managers.

Every business goal pretty well revolves around creating profits. As that process works itself through your business you should be constantly trying to both manage cash and improve asset turnover.

The business owners ability to manage, and finance working capital allows it to generate equity, pay taxes and employees, keep supplier relations positive, etc.

A great way to look at your business is to constantly be focusing on what we call the ' operating cycle '. It's essentially the ' journey ' that a dollar takes as it travels through your business.

Two drivers in understanding your cash and working capital are your:

1. Revenue recognition

2. Accounts payable management

While not often directly understood, most busines owners /managers understand that managing payables is a key part of the cash cycle. You increase your cash from operations by delaying payables to the extent that you can, given you don’t want to damage supplier relations.

If your business isn’t a retail or online business you have an investment in accounts receivable. Numerous financing solutions exist to allow you to better access real cash, as opposed to the A/R and inventory build up on your balance sheet that is not liquid.

Those solutions include:

Unsecured bank lines of credit
Secured bank revolving facilities
A/R non bank financing
Asset based lending
Tax credit financing/monetization (financing your SR&ED claims if applicable)

If our businesses were a straight line with totally repeating ongoing transactions a lot of cash flow shortage shock would go away. Unfortunately that is rarely the case, so seasonal and bulge situations often occur, often along the lines of the ' cash flow shock' we talk about.

The owner /managers ability to forecast seasonality and bulges in business will always alleviate working capital shock.

At the end of the day the most common solution to the business cash flow problem is the ability to ensure you have a borrowing facility in place that allows your company to address future cash flow uncertainty.

If your firm has profits, historical cash flow, and acceptable financials chartered banks and business credit unions are the solutions.

As long as you have business assets (receivables, inventories, equipment, orders/contracts) numerous non bank solutions exist to allow you to feel that you have cash flow availability.

If you're looking to avoid cash flow shock and ensure you have access to financing solutions that address the right stage your company is in ( start up, mature, high growth, turnaround, etc ) seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success
who can assist you with your 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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Cash Flow Solutions Expertise







Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

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

Stan Prokop

The ‘ A ‘ In The ABL Business Credit Line Stands For : Assets !

Waiting For The Amazon Drone To Deliver Your Business Credit Line ?

OVERVIEW – Information on the business credit line commonly called ‘ ABL ‘. Here’s how your business assets deliver on liquidity and cash flow




Your business credit line probably won't be delivered by the Amazon drone that we all read about the other day. If that's the case, one option for the Canadian business owner /financial manager to consider is the ABL solution. Let's dig in.

And yes, that ' A ‘in ABL does in fact stand for ' Assets '. It's your ability to leverage ' ALL ' of the assets in your business in order to fully achieve maximum financing capability.

The normal comparison here is ABL vs. your Chartered Bank revolving business credit facility. The simple way we explain this to our clients is that our chartered banks, in their wisdom, have chosen to focus on past historical performance, and quality of cash flows and debt to equity measurement.

That's all fine of course; but your asset based lender is laser focused on predominantly one thing - you guessed it - ' ASSETS'!

We are always conscious of being ' bank bashers '

- we're told it’s the Canadian way in business we suppose. No one supports banks more than us, so if your company can demonstrate:

Profits
Quality Tangible Collateral
Acceptable ratios and covenants
Outside collateral/owner guarantees
Reputable cash flows/ business projections

it's safe to say you are very close to achieving full bank approval for all the capital you need.

When all those criteria cannot be met the best way to achieve business credit line delivery is potential the ABL - i.e. a non bank asset based line of credit.

While negative issues will certainly be discussed in your negotiations on your ABL credit facility reasonable heads will often prevail because of the past experience of the ABL lender in your industry.

If there is one absolutely obvious benefit to asset based credit lines it’s your ability to borrow more than a bank facility. Let's use the example of a company in the SME sector that has $1,000,000.00 level of receivables. Typically a bank will lend 750k against that ongoing balance; but the ABL lender is often as comfortable in lending $ 900,000.00 in our same example.

While many banks struggle with inventory loans as a component of the credit line the right ABL lender will take the time to analyze the various components of your inventory ( raw materials, work in progress , finished goods ) and determine a borrowing level that is typically 25-75% of the total value .

Rarely is any Canadian business financing a ' slam dunk '. In the case of the ABL business credit line the business owner/manager should expect both a higher borrowing cost and some real due diligence on your firm, including in house visits, inspections, potentially an appraisal, etc.

While many chartered bank facilities may require you to report quarterly or annually on your performance the Canadian business owner/manager will be expected to submit a minimum monthly package of financials, assets, payables, etc.

So is the ABL business credit facility for your firm? Evaluate the option by seeking out and speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor with a track record of success in credit lines tailored for Canadian companies.



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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Business Credit Line Expertise







' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '























Stan Prokop

Franchise Finance Formula 102 : Why The Canada Small Business Financing Program Works And When It Doesn’t

What’s Good And Not So Good About Franchise Financing In Canada : Franchisee’s Are People Too !

OVERVIEW – Information on the positive and negative aspects of the Canada small business financing program as it relates to franchise loan solutions


The Canada small business financing program , properly approached, is a great vehicle to complete the financing of a franchise in Canada. Knowing the limitations of the program, and how to accentuate the benefits become a classic win/win. It's as close to a proven ' formula '

as we can get, so let's dig in.









While franchising is as close to ' rampant ' as we can get these days many franchisees still view the whole purchase/acquisition and of course financing with some fear and trepidation. It's essentially fear of the unknown we suppose.

While not specifically designed for the franchise industry the Canada small business financing program over the years has evolved into a major lender in Canadian franchising. The program, commonly called the govt SBL (small business loan) loan is government underwritten and sponsored, but administered and managed via our Canadian chartered banks and a very small number of misc other financial institutions.

It's not hard to see why banks flaunt their interest and expertise in franchise financing - as their loans are in a large portion guaranteed by the government. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that action?! While some franchising loans might be made by banks to the largest and well known brands (think ' clown and a golden arch) outside the SBL program they are clearly not the majority.

While the requisites for the program are certainly not onerous it is often what the program does not do that limits some franchisees from reaching financing success for their venture.

And those prerequisites? They include:

Reasonably clean personal credit and financial history of owner
Proof of acceptance from their chosen franchisor
Premises lease co-terminus with loan amortization
Business plan/cash flow and management bio

Surely everyone recognizes that that type of information is standard within any type of business financing in Canada.

So where do things go awry? As we said it's knowing when the program will not work from you.

Here's where the limitations of the program need to be clearly understood. They are as follows:

- The program is not 100% financing - the owner must have a reasonable down payment, aka ' equity component’

- The SBL loan is a term loan, not a cash loan, and not a revolving line of credit type facility - It is a term loan with equal fixed monthly payments, typically spread over a 3-7 year term that suits the borrowers

- The loan only finances equipment and leasehold improvements - That means franchise fees, working capital needs,

- The SBL does not finance inventories, and it doesnt provide financing for the actual sign up franchise fees

- The Loan cap is 350,000.00 so franchises requiring financing additional to that often become problematic when it comes to the SBL

If your franchise needs can’t be financed by a direct franchise commercial lender explore the Canada small business financing program. But beware, as we have noted, of what the program can... and can't do.

For further clarity and probably faster approval seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success in the franchise area of the Canada small business financing program.


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 10 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 :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Franchise Financing Expertise


Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

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 '

Stan Prokop

Cracking AR Cash Flow Financing Code In Canada : Growth Funding That’s Your Business

Need Or Want To Be Discreet With Receivable Financing – You Can Now


OVERVIEW – Information on AR cash flow financing in Canada. How does this method differ from traditional offerings that are not acceptable to many business owners and financial managers



AR Cash flow financing in Canada should be on your terms , and when our clients choose financing and growth funding options utilizing Receivable finance solutions they prefer that to be their business, nobody else’s, i.e. their suppliers, customers, and as importantly, their competitors . But is there a ' Discreet ' way to achieve this? There is, so let's dig in.

One of several cash flow finance solutions is Receivable financing on its own. Naturally other solutions are also available for financing a business, but next to cash your A/R represents the most liquid source of capital next to actual cash itself! So your ability to monetize that asset achieves full circle cash flow financing success. You then have cracked the code!

The process is simple, and in practice it's not unlike a bank line of credit. It's just secured and collateralized a little bit differently by the commercial financing firm you choose. While the bank takes an ' assignment ' of your receivables (just in case!), the A/R financing solution simply has you entering into a one time agreement to in effect sell or transfer ownership of the invoices to the financing entity.

Why though would clients want to choose a non bank solution? Isn’t it more expensive? Categorically it is, but when you understand two key points a lot of other things start to make sense. First of all you're probably considering A/R financing because you don’t qualify for bank financing for a number of reasons - i.e. uneven financial performance, lack of collateral, owner credit history,etc,etc.

Other situations might include the double edged sword of business - fast growth which is difficult to finance as traditional lenders like a more ' calmer’ sales revenue chart. They don't seem to like the hockey stick exploding sales chart. (By the way there are reasons for that)

Other situations inlcude seasonality in your business bulges in orders and contracts that are of a one time or ongoing nature.

Companies that are capital intensive simply have a lot of cash going out before cash goes in as they have to invest in equip., human resource, perhaps R&D, etc.

So, having said all that, is there a discreet financing solution that works here? We term it ' CONFIDENTIAL A/R FINANCING ‘, and it simply allows to you generate cash as you sell products and services - instantly. And who is in control? You, the business owner / financial manager as you bill and collect your own invoices, generating cash and financing all the growth you can imagine.

Most importantly it’s about your ability to (diplomatically) tell suppliers, clients, and competitors they can mind their own business.

Let them guess how you have achieved cash flow nirvana.









Does your firm qualify for CONFIDENTIAL AR FINANCING? If you require financing in excess of 250k upwards to millions you are a candidate. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you in AR Cash flow financing solutions that put your firm back in control of the cash crunch.



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 10 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/ar-cash-flow-financing-growth-funding.html







Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

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 '

Stan Prokop