With the upcoming vote on Scottish independence experts are beginning to speculate on what the move will mean for the UK. A recent poll suggests that more people in Scotland will be voting for independence. If this poll is accurate, it won’t be long until Scotland is an independent state.

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If you are running a small to medium-sized business, you know all too well that it’s important for your business to grow. And how do you do this? By acquiring new customers and enhancing your services, for one. But in order to get more customers and improve your offerings, you may need to invest in some assets – namely, more equipment for your office, like software or computers, or a fleet of vehicles which will enable you to make deliveries.

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While the decision faced by many businesses to move either some or all of their IT capabilities into a Cloud can be difficult, the obvious cost-efficiencies involved make it a little easier. One study of UK and US companies found almost 90% of those using Cloud based services reporting savings, and over half agreeing that the Cloud had boosted their profit margins. Further, more than 60% had then been able to take those savings and reinvest them into the business, driving product innovation and giving employee wages a boost. Where do these efficiencies come from?

Scalability

One of the advantages of outsourcing IT services is that Cloud solutions can be tailored to meet the exact requirements of the individual business, from small to large, and can be adapted at short notice. That means a company is only paying for the software it actually needs in a certain period rather than having to invest in packages that may be redundant a lot of the time. If business needs change requiring more or less capability, it’s very easy to arrange. If you are looking for managed IT services in Idaho, you may wish to look here for more info on the best IT management service in Sun Valley, and get started with a Cloud solution that is just right for your business.

No Capital Investment

The cost of buying new software or developing it in-house can be dramatically expensive, especially for new start-ups, but since Cloud services run on a subscription basis there is little to no upfront investment needed. All processes are operated through a browser so installation and maintenance requirements are minimal, and there is a predictable monthly cost which helps significantly with budgeting. More than this though, because Cloud providers need to remain competitive, they will automatically upgrade to the latest versions of software as they are released meaning businesses are always using the latest specs.

Fewer Infrastructure Requirements

Since large volumes of data and various platforms are hosted off-site, there is less need for bulky servers, and IT resources can be diverted elsewhere. A reliable internet connection gives employees all the access they need to their essential business functions.

Mobility

Today it’s vital for companies to be connected to their employees, partners and clients 24/7. Cloud packages enable this, for instance by making it easy for video-conferencing over multiple sites, or for staff to connect to CRM systems through their mobile devices. No matter where an employee is, if they have an internet connection they can collaborate on projects in real-time, or communicate with colleagues. Outsourcing of IT services in this way leads to far greater flexibility, productivity and efficiency.

What is a half hourly meter and what it means for businesses? Many people are grappling with this question these days. A half hourly meter is basically a fairly new type of meter that can measure electricity consumption once every 30 minutes. Then it transmits that data automatically to energy suppliers via a mobile device. What that means is that the data does not get read manually, and even more important, is that the billing records increase in accuracy.

Am I Required to Have a Half Hourly Meter?

Mandatory – Any businesses consuming 100kw of power or more in a half hour period, must use a half hourly meter.

Voluntary – Any businesses whose maximum demand is at 70kw or under, has the option of deciding whether or not to use this type of meter.  Find more details here: http://www.businessenergystore.com/half-hourly-meters

How Can I Tell If I am on A Half Hourly Meter?

You can look on your bill to see if there is an ‘S’ number indicating a half hourly meter. If you see a ’00’ up on the top left-hand side, on the ‘S’ number, then that indicates you are on the half hourly meter. It that number is 05, 06, 07, or 08, rather than 00, then your type of half hourly meter is the voluntary type. If you find you are still unable to determine if you are on the half hourly or not, you can still contact the electricity supplier to get more detailed information about the meter. You can usually find your meter point administration number on the bottom row of the supply number.

Are There Pricing Differences?

Because billing is based on real time, accurate readings, your energy supplier can determine your costs using your half hourly meter. You are only charged for the energy your business uses (and that is better than standard pricing).

Do I Have The Option of Switching Off The Half Hourly Energy Tariff For My Business?

You have the option to negotiate your contract, but if you do, prepare yourself for a long and complicated process. It is complicated due to the fluctuation of wholesale prices, a need for accurate data, and supplier strategies.

A solid and reputable company should know and understand about how half hourly meters work. They should also be able to give you top notch information and insight, in order to give you the best possible deal to help your business. Never hesitate to call on us if your half hourly business energy contract should happen to lapse and need renewing. Another option is to simply fill out the online form and then wait for us to call you.

If you’ve decided that you want to be your own boss and branch out into something which has always been a hobby or a passion in your leisure time, this is a great time to be bold, be brave and to start your own business.

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Thank you, Simon Cunningham, for the awesome picture.

Gold and other precious metals have been a global trade for centuries, times have changed but they are still as lucrative as ever.

There is no need to buy physical gold coins or bullion, or even diamonds, the growth and development of trading, especially online, means you can make an investment that is right for you.

The rise and fall of gold, and other precious metal, prices means that, if you invest wisely, you can make trading pay for you. But it is important that you get some further information, for example, you should check out Rosland capital, who sell gold and silver, for their review.

Why trading in gold is such a great idea:

Gold is probably one of the most interesting assets you can trade-in, especially if you are relative newcomer or inexperienced investor. Due to the volatile nature of gold prices, it opens up a great opportunity to make some short-term gains if prices start to suddenly move in the right direction.

As gold fluctuates over short periods of times, it still retains a lot of its value as it is inflation proof. For this reason, it is seen as a wise investment choice for establishments such as banks in times where inflation is very high. Gold seems to retain and, in some cases, increase its value over more difficult economic conditions.

A long-term element of trading in gold is in the supply and demand chain. Gold is a natural resource, and it is therefore limited. Little supply and lots of demand, ensures again that gold retains and, over time, increases in value. All natural resources are the same, so the application of this supply and demand interaction will tend to indicate that prices will rise.

How to trade in gold effectively:

If you choose to trade in CFDs and binary options, you will not own the physical gold at any point. With this type of trading, you are only speculating on the prices upward or downward trajectory.

If you decide to trade in CFDs your gain will be the difference between the two prices of purchase and selling. Binary options work a little differently, as you will earn a fixed amount upon expiration of your options, as long as this earning is as anticipated.

There are a number of elements that help identify trends in gold trends, such as:

The value of the dollar: This is inversely correlated to the value of gold. So, this means that when the dollar price is rising, the price of gold is generally falling. This is because it becomes less affordable for investors in other currencies. However, if you are looking at rises in gold prices you need to look out for the falling value of the dollar.

Economic news: As gold is a global commodity, news from all regions can have a bearing on its value. For example, if there is negative investment or economic news coming from Europe, it will have an impact on gold prices.

If you choose to invest in gold and other precious metals, it is important that you consider all the risks, as well as the potential earnings.

This article has been provided by Roisin Byrne as part of her Business Boutique programme. You can find out more about the programme by clicking here.

You can find out more about the programme by clicking here.