Tag Archives: lease

Software Leasing is in the Picture

When the terms “software leasing” and “software financing” are used, people and businesses alike are sometimes unsure exactly what these terms mean. This is mainly down to the fact those in business are not open to the fact software is actually a commodity that can be paid for over a time period.

When it comes to hardware though, companies will quite happily invest in it or even a car, but will lose sleep over the high price of useful, software and how they plan to pay for it. End-users are not the only ones who feel this way, it is indeed the developers too, who create the software, and see no reason for providing finance for it.

The good news is that these days, there are specialised equipment leasing and financing companies that offer small to medium sized firms software financing. They are starting to respond to the demand for software leasing and financing and include it as an choice in amongst the equipment they lease or finance.

Why suddenly is Software Leasing in the Forefront? Business software is very expensive, often due to the complexity of it, and this has meant software leasing is viewed in a different light.

Ironically, the way things have gone, the software is now actually often more expensive that the systems and hardware that run it!

Software that is dubbed as expensive is generally what is known as “vertical software”. Vertical software produced and programmed for a targeted niche industry like unique point-of-sale software and ERP systems. It is quite common for them to have there own training and support services. The reverse of this is the same product that can be used over a range of industries; these products are generally inexpensive compared to vertical software and can often be purchased off the shelf or in office stores.

A good working example of vertical software in industry career recruitment offices, where a unique, in-house program has to be used, which in turn is also very complex. This software has to deal with candidates/CV’s and clients/jobs, and can only be produced for the recruitment sector, as well as being very elaborate.

What are the advantages of Software Financing? To recognize how software financing and leasing can benefit a specific business, it needs to be understood what the basic plus sides to vertical software are.

Most importantly, this sort of software makes business run smoothly due to the efficiency at which it can perform business processes. The result of this is that a company will end up running more smoothly, at a quicker speed and as an end product, have more lucrative results.

Vertical software is so effective, that they will make the difference in whether a company can stay competitive or not and in some cases is crucial to complete every day operations and to go without it is not an option.

Taking into account these software goods are produced for specific markets and due to their worth in time-saving, it is not surprising they are often expensive. This is partly because of the time it takes a developer to produce a program like this and also because few copies will be sold compared to something like a word processing program, which will be sold in the millions. This then means they must sell the product at a first-rate price which often stretches into five figures.

This then leaves businesses in a catch-22 situation where they need the software to increase turnover, but do not currently have the turnover. Fortunately, companies in this position can turn to software financing, meaning businesses do not have to purchase immediately.

The huge preliminary costs that are commanded by new software can be eradicated by using software financing and leasing. As well as this, software has been promoted in stature to being seen as an significant asset, like other parts of business equipment. This, in turn, means it can be treated almost like any other hardware purchase, when financing or leasing is carried out.

Financing should not be as daunting as quite often made out, as once software is installed, it can quite easily pay for itself in time, due to the day to day costs being reduced by efficient business processes.

Developers are and have been reluctant and slow to embrace software financing because they want an immediate return for the hard work they have put in.

Due to the old-fashioned nature of the banking industry and ‘stuck in their ways’ attitude, in places, banks are similar in their views in software financing.

Luckily for small and medium sized business, 3rd party information technology finance companies are happy to offer alluring software leasing deals. It works by an information technology company footing the bill in full, and can then supply the software to the business in need. The software will then be supplied to the company by means of finance agreement or lease, and will be at a more than fair rate, which is basically the same as a standard equipment lease.

There are various options on how the lease will end, whether there will be a buyout at the end and similar deals or whether it will just be a traditional fixed rate lease; these will also change from IT finance company to company.

Finally software financing has made an positive impact in the business workplace. Software leasing follows a sound business model, and is becoming a more common practice.

Up To $250,000 Financing, Start Ups and Marginal Credit Welcome

If you are looking to start up and/or expand a business, finding capital is always one of the most difficult adventures the entrepreneur will encounter. Two key components to the financing side is the credit qualifications and the amount of money required either to start up and/or expand the operations.

One of the solutions, that I can offer to you in a leveraged world is the concept of leasing. Leasing is an unique opportunity for the individual and/or business to utilize very little front money and acquire financing up to $250,000, application only. An application only means there are no financial statements, income tax returns, personal financial statements and bank statements required. The collateral of the acquisition and your good credit is the key to this approval, no additional collateral is required.

In this equation, you must asking yourself what good credit is, a personal credit score of 680, 700 and maybe 725 or higher. In this imperfect world where the economy is somewhat unstable, this opens up a unique opportunity for dealer financing with small and large U.S lenders. One particular program offers the start up and seasoned business an unique opportunity where the minimal personal credit must be 575 or higher. Wow, are you kidding and no bankruptcies discharged within five years. With an unstable economy and a shrinking labor pool, this offers an unique opportunity for the start up business and the seasoned one as well.

You probably asking what the catch to this is? Really none except this is a dealer financed inventory and you must select the items out of the lender’s inventory. This inventory includes approximately 300 work trucks, trailers, and construction equipment. These items range from basically new to ten years old and all items are reconditioned prior to being re-leased. The front money on these deals, at this time of year, range from 3-5% of the acquisition cost and financing up to 60 months. Wow! All of the dealer financed inventory has residual buyout clauses at the end of their leases from ten to twenty percent, Therefore you can take title to the acquisition. If you don’t have the funds available at the end of the lease, the lender permits you to continue making payments on the residual until it is paid off, so either way you will take title to the item financed.

Examples of what is in the dealer financed inventory: dump trucks, over the road trucks, day cabs, garbage trucks, landscape and grapple trucks, flatbed trailers, dry van and reefer trailers, backhoes, excavators, dozers, forklifts etc…

One of the additional features of this dealer/finance program is that shipping to your location is an additional option for you. The location of the dealership is in the Midwest. The decision that you have is whether you want to fly out and inspect the acquisition and drive it home. The other option is that the dealer can have it shipped to where you live. This additional charge can be financed, however requires some additional front money, the decision is yours whatever is best for you.

In conclusion, whether you are a start up business or a seasoned one, there are many leasing programs available. You should be careful and understand the details behind the lease and the lender requirements. Many banks and lenders also offer repos and off lease commercial vehicles and heavy equipment for lease with advantageous terms. Check it out and find yourself a deal.

Copyright (c) 2008 JM Luna