Helpful Computer and Printer Specifications
In General:
We are often asked about brands of computers. Carraway Computer Systems, LLC, has had great success with HP® Desktops and Laptops, and the vast majority of our customers nationwide are using HP®. With that being said, the ASUS® computer could be a consideration since ASUS® markets its overall build quality (structural durability/casing), as well as its technological advancements. We use HP® in our office settings, but because of the structural durability enhancement with ASUS®, it is the laptop brand we use to handle the wear-and-tear in repeatedly setting up our booth in conventions and conducting demos of EasyBill 32 for convention attendees.
Regardless of the brand you choose, the best advice is to purchase the best you can afford with the cost going toward FUNCTIONALITY, and NOT to unneeded “add-ons” for utility billing. For example, there is no need to pay extra for a Touch Screen that you may not need. When buying a new computer for utility billing software, your priority should be in considering the LATEST HARDWARE ADVANCEMENTS, the SPEED of the computer, and the STORAGE CAPACITY—specifically, that means:
1. Purchasing the Latest Technology in Hard Drives
2. Processors and Increasing Processor Speed
3. Increasing RAM (Random Access Memory Storage)
About #1: Purchasing the Latest Technology in Hard Drives
If you can possibly afford a SOLID STATE DRIVE (SSD), it is newer technology that is preferable to the earlier version of the spinning HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD). Unlike the HARD DISK DRIVE, the SOLID STATE DRIVE has no moving parts. In comparison, the older technology HARD DISK DRIVE with its spinning disk—even at 5-10 Terabytes—would be SLOWER than the Solid State Drive, which can write at speeds 5 to 20 TIMES faster than the former HDD.
Regarding size of hard drives, 250 GB is sufficient, but at that size it would need to be primarily dedicated to the utility billing software and not used for non-essential storage nor used for personal storage. However, BIGGER is usually better, and if your budget allows a 500 GB hard drive, preferably a SOLID STATE HARD DRIVE, then by all means purchase that size. When purchasing a new computer, LOOK ON THE BOX and make sure you are getting what you want. Look for SSD or HDD, whichever you prefer and can afford, although we recommend SSD. A good Desktop computer with 1 Terabyte SSD will typically cost around $1,000 and is best for office use, unless the billing clerk is also going into the field and collecting meter readings with the CCS Windows AMR application, then he/she would need to buy the convertible 2-in-1 laptop with touch screen since this application works best with touch screen. It is suggested that the desktop have more than one Hard Drive so that, for example, back-up data from the day’s software interaction can be saved to the additional Hard Drive in the event the primary Hard Drive containing the Utility Billing Software happens to crash. However, in addition to this safety precaution, the user must ALWAYS back up the data at the end of a workday to an external media (USB flash drive) to take from the office premises in the event the office is destroyed in some type of catastrophic event. To save yourself some grief, remember these words, “BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP” and regardless of backing up to the on-site computer, ALWAYS use an EXTERNAL MEDIA (USB flash drive) that will NOT be left at the office at the end of each workday.
About #2: Processors and Increasing Processor Speed (Very Important)
Many years ago you may remember the Intel® Celeron® Processors, but these have evolved into the family of Intel® Core™ i3, Intel® Core™ i4, Intel® Core™ i7 and Intel® Core™ i9. The AMD Ryzen™ family of Processors are Ryzen™ 3, Ryzen™ 5, Ryzen™ 7, Ryzen™ 9, and Ryzen Threadripper™ with up to 64 cores.
In our experience, the Intel® Core™ family of Processors is most often used in business settings. Both of these brands of Processors are multi-core, as compared to single core in the earlier days.
The minimum requirements on the Processor speed would be the Intel® Core™ i3 or the AMD Ryzen™ 3; however, if you can afford the Intel® Core™ i7 or the AMD Ryzen™ 7, you would probably be pleased for a longer period of time since the higher speed is relevant for a longer period. Five years later you will find that whatever the new processor is that is at the lowest in the new lineup, that new processor will be comparable to the mid-tier level of processor you buy today; therefore, if you can spend the money, you have a longer period of time with the highest processor speed you can afford and, again, most of the businesses with whom we have contact use the Intel® Core™ brand.
About #3: Increasing RAM (Random Access Memory Storage)
Regarding the specs for RAM (Random Access Memory), a minimum of 16 GB is recommended, but you will see a difference in the quickness of switching tasks if you can afford the 32 GB.
Printers and Specifications
Carraway Computer Systems, LLC, and the vast majority of our customers nationwide use HP® Laser Printers; however, some of the newer “smart” printers may be stopping often to clean, cool down, or execute other sophisticated features of the printer. If this becomes a problem, we suggest trying the HP® Laser Jet Pro M501dn (currently $659.00, for large volumes) or the less expensive HP® Laser Jet Pro 4001dn (currently $359.00). EasyBill NOW billing documents/cards are the exact same billing documents/cards used with EasyBill 32 and come 4-to-the-sheet, so divide your number of customers by 4 to begin to determine your print time. Check the specs on how many pages per minute the HP® Laser Printer can print. Typically a HP® Laser Printer costing around $500 can print 40 pages per minute, so if you have 2000 customers, divided by 4 = 500 pages. 500 pages divided by 40 printed pages per minute means your cards will all be printed in only 12 ½ minutes!!! Again, if you can afford it, get the HP® Laser Printer that prints the highest number of sheets per minute but know that you do not need to buy any extra, costly features in a printer—just printer only, making sure the extra cost is going into excellence and speed in the printing.
*Note: Billing Documents are specifically created and formatted for use with EasyBill 32 and upcoming EasyBill NOW, i.e., “intellectual property” with copyright status; therefore, customer must agree to purchase billing cards/documents from CCS. Various Documents and Prices are listed at “Prices” tab on the Home Page.