Computer leasing companies are available that can help you save both time and resources if you can find the right computer equipment lease to fit in with your operations and your budget. Look for information about computer equipment lease programs that can easily be integrated into your current operations so as not to create a lag in time while you and your team learn the new leasing computer hardware.

Information about computer lease rates is available online and through industry associations. Look for in-depth reviews of the newest computer equipment leasing companies, including web-based business computer leasing. Consider what hardware upgrades you’ll need and bring in a small business computer leasing consultant if you are overwhelmed by the options. However you incorporate computer rental leasing, there are a number of ways that you should begin making the most of computer leasing.

1. Find computer leasing companies online

2. Try web-based technology leasing companies

3. Ask for referrals for computer hardware leasing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate reviews of computer equipment lease plans

In addition to talking to others who have taken advantage of leasing computer hardware, look online for reviews and lease advice that informs you of the kinds of programs that are available to make your business more profitable.

I recommend: Read up about the various options available to you through the information provided by the Certified Lease Professional Foundation. As a member of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, you’ll have access to numerous articles and newsletters that will inform you of the kinds of leasing options that could work for your company.

Let employees try demos of computer rental leasing

Most leasing companies will provide a free demonstration or trial period before you sign on for a lengthy commitment. You should let your staff try the products to get their suggestions since they will be using the programs as well. To get the most out of your IT resources, you need to get buy-in from your team.

I recommend: Join the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors to get access to news and information, research and statistics that drive the industry. Get information about the various business computer rental options out there and how they might help you be more efficient with your resources at Computer Rental News.

Bring in a computer financing expert

With all the options available today, it may behoove you to let an outsider come in and review your organization and how it works to help you select the best financing for your uses. It could be worth the investment to pay a consultant to help you choose the right lease so that you can see the results right away.

I recommend: Learn about the advantages of computer leasing from Vernon Computers. Get solid advice and the latest news briefs affecting the industry from the experts at TMN Financial.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you sign a contract for leasing computers, make sure that the lender has a buyout option so that you can keep the equipment if you choose to.

Small and mid-sized businesses needing computers, communications gear and other equipment associated with information technology (IT) have usually bought equipment with loans or cash. But leasing for IT and high-tech is becoming more popular. Small businesses are finding that leasing helps them keep their IT equipment up to date, avoid a hodgepodge of items and more easily manage the costs while avoiding obsolescence. If you wait until cash is available to buy the equipment you need, you may find yourself forever behind the technology curve, trying to catch up. Lease financing is a great way for a smaller company to leverage its budget for purchasing IT systems and obtain the critical solutions needed to compete. Leasing benefits include:

1. Capital conservation: Money is not tied up in equipment, leaving more cash available for personnel, office space or training.
2. Credit conservation: Your credit lines stay clear, putting more capital at your disposal.
3. Total financing: You can finance 100 percent of IT equipment costs, plus software, license agreements, maintenance and services.
4. Flexibility: A lease can be customized whether you have 5 employees or 500. Payments might be spread over 36, 48 or even 60 months, or adjusted to fit seasonal or annual cash flow needs.

Business.com's "What Works for Business" blog is a great way to keep up with the latest solutions, trends and strategies for small and medium business — including computer leasing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover what leasing has to offer

Plug yourself into leasing basics, information on making an informed leasing decision and what to consider before you sign.

I recommend: Choose Leasing is an informational Web site designed by the Equipment Leasing Association (ELA). You'll find authoritative answers on how to negotiate a lease, a lease vs. buy comparison, how leasing helps cash flow and how businesses use leasing to upgrade equipment.

Locate leasing companies for your IT equipment needs

The Equipment Leasing Association offers a directory of leasing companies.

I recommend: Search the leasing company directory at Choose Leasing. Apply these search tips to find the best fit.

See what Cisco has to offer

Regardless of your company size or IT equipment and services needs, Cisco Systems Capital Corp. will work to help you structure a lease to fit your situation.

I recommend: Cisco Capital has finance solutions for small and medium-sized businesses worldwide, offering competitive terms and flexible financing for phone systems, computers, office equipment and other technology.

Consolidate your IT with special lease financing

HP offers lease financing for IT and other computer equipment.

I recommend: Check out HP's IT consolidation financing, and other leasing solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Leasing lets your business acquire new technology when you need it.
• •  Leasing offers balance sheet appeal, too. Unlike capital equipment purchases, an operating equipment lease has no depreciation schedule and is off the balance sheet. Plus, payments may be considered a deductible overhead expense.
• •  Leases are especially helpful if you need to upgrade early. Most leasing companies will buy back a lease and put you into something new at any time.

Computer leasing companies change with the times. And as the landscape surrounding computer leasing continues to evolve, following technological and financial forces, you have to keep up with computer lease rates to be able to make the best presentations and know what your competitors are doing. The small business computer leasing industry should be followed closely so that you can remain competitive and land the big contracts.

Follow the trends that are affecting hardware leasing companies in a variety of ways. Read computer financing publications that can keep you updated with news and information. Subscribe to white papers and computer rental leasing articles. Take advantage of business computer leasing trade groups that keep members apprised of news and trends. Look for computer leasing news and trends in a number of ways.

1. Get email alerts and computer leasing newsletters

2. Participate in associations for technology leasing companies

3. Subscribe to magazines for leasing computers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get news alerts about computer leasing companies

Set up a separate email account to get email alerts, RSS feeds and industry newsletters that will send you news as it happens, the latest trend pieces and information about what the major industry players are up to. Check this email daily so you don't miss out on important news.

I recommend: World Leasing News is a great source of updated and breaking news that affect the industry worldwide. Find loads of headlines that relate to computer leasing at Leasing News. A long-time news source on the leasing business is Monitor.

Join computer equipment lease groups

Association with other professionals in the same field will provide you with an inside track to news, often before it hits the press. Get involved with your trade association and take advantage of the networking opportunities to develop relationships as well as the group's newsletters and communication vehicles.

I recommend: Keep up with the latest news and trends through the newsline of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. The Commercial Finance Association will keep you updates about the latest financing options available through leasing programs worldwide.

Read about the latest computer leasing news

Take time to read in-depth reports and magazines that cover the industry further than the headlines. Often the best information that can help drive your own business decisions comes from investigative reporting and research articles that take a deeper look into industry issues.

I recommend: Follow news and trends through the informative articles presented by Computer Economics. Business Leasing and Finance News is a great source of in-depth trend articles and news briefs that affect the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Encourage your staff to read publications and websites that can bring even more news about leasing computers. Make it fun by giving a prize to the team member who comes up with the best news tidbit each month.

Computer leasing is a popular way to get the computer equipment you need without spending a lot of money upfront. Whether you are the computer lessor or lessee, there are several terms that you should be aware of. Lessees, for example, may want to ensure that they are working with a certified lease professional. It's also a good idea to know what type of lease you have, such as an open-ended lease or a safe harbor lease.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers

The National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers is an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of equipment lessors. If you are a lessor, you may want to consider joining for networking and educational opportunities.

I recommend: Learn more about the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers through their website.

Certified Lease Professional

A Certified Lease Professional has industry certification showing that they have received specific training on all aspects of leasing. Working with a Certified Lease Professional ensures that you are dealing with someone that is qualified.

I recommend: The CLP Foundation is the organization that provides the Certified Lease Professional program. Learn more about it on their site.

Open-end and closed-end lease

Open-ended leases require a large lump-sum payment at the end of the lease, based on the market value of the equipment. It's important for business owners to factor this into their estimates when calculating the cost of leasing a computer if this is the type of lease they get. At the end of a closed-end lease, they simply return the equipment.

I recommend: BusinessFinance.com explains open-end and closed-end leases.

Safe harbor lease

A safe harbor lease allows the lessor to claim the tax benefits of ownership of the computers if the lessee cannot use them.

I recommend: Learn more about safe harbor leases from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Residual value

The residual value is how much the computer equipment is worth at the end of the lease. You can often decide to purchase the equipment for this price at the end of the term. The estimated residual value often affects the monthly cost of the lease, so it's important to understand how the lessor determines it.

I recommend: Edmunds describes residual value as it relates to leasing cars. The same principles hold true when leasing computer equipment.

Lease calculator

A lease calculator can help you determine whether it's more financially sound to lease or buy your computer equipment. For companies that require the latest technology, leasing is often a good idea. Others may want to consider purchasing outright.

I recommend: Use the Tiger Leasing calculator to figure out the total costs of leasing.