Cameras make the best Valentine’s day gifts. Not only do they help you record the lovely day (if you gift it early enough ) , they also fill your courtship with pleasant memories. They’re not toooo expensive and neither cheap or thoughtless. So here’s a selection of special Valentine models to choose from [Click the picture for lots more info]:
Sanyo Dual Camera Xacti 720p HD VPC-CG10 Camcorder (Pink)
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life; and if you’re one of those crazy kids who prefers an upright form factor, then you’re sure to enjoy the convenient handling of the Dual Camera Xacti 720p HD VPC-CG10 (Pink) Sanyo. Big on name, but compact in size, this camcorder fits in your hand naturally and is great for recording action like skateboarding and more low-key situations, such as family gatherings, as well. Containing a generous 10Mp CMOS sensor for high resolution stills, to go along with that 1280 x 720p HD footage, the CG10 records to lightweight SD/SDHC memory cards. The combination of this easily transferable media and the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format makes uploading all your photos and videos to social media sites, and even your iPod, a snap.
Price: $ 149.00 + Free Shipping
Creative Labs Vado Pocket Video Camera (Pink)
The Creative Vado Pocket Video Camera (Pink) will make you the envy of all your friends! This modern and sleek camcorder fits right in your pocket or bag and is thinner than a deck of cards – bring it anywhere you go to record on-the-fly moments or to capture family events. With a VGA CMOS sensor and 640 x 480 resolution your video will be clean and bright every time you shoot. The internal flash memory offers 2GB of recording space that can hold up to 2 hours of video. And, the Vado is easy to use; just point and shoot, it’s that simple.
$ 69.99 + Shipping
Flip Video Ultra Camcorder (Pink)
The Flip Video Ultra Camcorder (Pink) is easy to use, and free from the sticker shock of more traditional camcorders. There are no complicated menus or settings to navigate and no delicate media to worry about. With basic functions and a fixed focus lens all you need to do is point the camera and shoot. It’s that simple. The Ultra features a 4GB internal flash memory that can hold up to 120 minutes of standard definition, full VGA, 30fps MPEG4 video. A 2″ LCD display provides a platform on which to compose and playback your footage, while easy to understand controls keep recording simple. Controls include: record, playback, pause, fast-forward, rewind, zoom, and delete.
Spl prise + free Shipping
Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera (Red)
The Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera (Red) is an easy to use, go anywhere camcorder for the YouTuber in your life. Resistant to water, dirt, and most other perilous substances, the Zx1 is an excellent choice for recording at the beach or on the slopes, not to mention pretty much everywhere in-between. Choose your capture mode: 720p HD video in 60 or 30fps (16:9) or VGA for standard definition recording. The Zx1 doesn’t just take video though, you can also take 3MP stills. The included HDMI cable lets you share all the action on your HDTV with friends and family, while the included software lets you upload your footage to YouTube (PC only) with just a touch. The included software also lets you create your own video mash-ups with music and still pictures as well as grabbing still clips from video.
Price: $ 99.00 + Free Shipping (USA)
Panasonic SDR-H80 60GB Standard Definition Camcorder (Red)
Panasonic’s SDR-H80 60GB Standard Definition Camcorder is an entry-level option for the budget-minded. This lightweight camera features hybrid recording to both the 60GB hard disk drive and to removable SD/SDHC memory cards, while the included VideoCam software ensures easy uploading to YouTube. If you’re intimidated by menus and numerous functions, the Intelligent Auto (iA) mode keeps things simple. iA mode automatically adjusts the H80’s settings depending on the scene, allowing features like Face Detection and Scene Detection to take over, making sure you get the best shot possible. The SDR-H80 also boasts Panasonic’s Optical 70x Ultra Zoom lens for zooming in on far off subjects with little to no loss in image quality. Advanced O.I.S., another useful tool, corrects for blur caused by motion and hand shake.
Price: $ 259.00 + Free Shipping (USA)
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Digital Camera (Pink)
With the PowerShot A1100 IS, high-quality photos are simple to take and easy to enjoy. The 12.1 megapixel DIGIC 4 sensor boasts advanced face detection, fast autofocus, and up to 2 frames per second of continuous shooting. The 4x optical zoom lens ensures that you’ll always be able to capture your point of view–from wide-angle to telephoto. The newly developed Smart AUTO Mode makes perfect pictures as easy as point and shoot. Utilizing a set of predefined shooting situations, the A1100 intelligently analyzes your composition to select the best exposure, color, and contrast. Coupled with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization Technology, the A1100 automatically corrects for unwanted camera shake and delivers consistently stunning photographs–even in low-light.
A lot of industries outsource data entry jobs to India. But outsourcing of accounting department... that too from small and medium companies? Not many instances of this, are there? Have you wondered why?
India is the hot bed for English-speaking hard-working talented people. Accounts is a pivotal function in enterprise functioning. Ordinarily, submitting a critical function to the best people only makes the most sense... but when it comes to accounting data entry, there are issues of sensitivity.
Now in any company, as far as accounting goes, there are some routine tasks like data entry and some non-routine tasks like data analysis and preparation of variance reports.
In most companies... and for an example, look at yours... the number of people hired to do the routine tasks often exceeds those on critical tasks. Moreover, the lack of distinction between individual roles towards each of the tasks makes the whole team far les productive than it can be.
So is the solution outsourcing? Well, some obvious benefits are cost savings, better turnaround time (due to the 5 hour time difference) and reduced workload on the accounting & HR departments.
Intangibly speaking, companies outsourcing these functions do not have to worry about retrenchment in bad times... or about work continuity in case of high employee turnover.
Furthermore, when European firms outsource data entry of accounting activity to India, better quality of accounting output can be expected due to well defined process & SLAs and better quality control on accounting data that form part of the offshoring contract.
And as a client, if you insist the data be stored on your server, and all passwords be shared strictly on a need to know basis, integrity and confidentiality will be non-issues.
You could also insist that quality control be built into the offshoring process at both ends of the passage, with audits. Outsourcing would not mean losing control over the process or the data... Conversely, it would mean better control by way of well defined service agreements.
Actually, outsourcing the accounting data entry work is about a new way of thinking that transforms the way accounting is done at the back-office. Confidentiality levels of the accounts data are the same as they would be if the accounting data entry were done in house. And in India, the experience and qualifications of the personnel entrusted with the task would be equal to or better than their British counterparts.
Offshoring the entry of mundane accounting data like voucher entry, statements preparation of monthly or quarterly management accounts, annual accounts, cash flows, year end returns such as P35, P11D, P14, invoicing sales, aged debtor reports, creditor lists, payment picking lists, bank reconciliation and others certainly sounds nice. But is it practical?
India might boast of experience and qualifications of personnel equal to or better than their British counterparts. Accounting data entry companies might also harp on the extreme cost savings, lower wages, zero recruitment and personnel management costs involved, and lack of overheads in outsourcing.
But wouldn’t the main issues be about quality control and confidentiality? Here’s what you must watch for if you are an overseas small and medium enterprise planning to outsource accounting data entry work.
First, make sure your outsourced data entry service provider gives you 240 hours per month per head instead of the usual 160 hours per month per head. This will ensure they double check their outputs as part of the SLA.
Second, at the start of each assignment, set up training sessions with the provider (either online or on site or telephonically) to orient its personnel on the accounting software used by your company. This training must be adequately documented by the accounts data service provider. This document would be used for further referencing.
Third, make sure the data is stored on your server. All your passwords could be shared with the outsourced entity’s employees strictly on a need to know basis and these passwords must be regularly updated to maintain integrity.
Fourth, build quality control into the offshoring process as it adds another dimension to the output. Normally, when the accounting data entry is done in-house, quality control is conducted only at the end of the period, during audits. Offshoring would not mean losing control over the process or the data… rather, it would result in better control by way of well defined SLAs and quality control.
Fifth, look into the specifics of the company you are outsourcing accounts to. Ideally they should be young and energetic and currently doing some work with a select few quality conscious clients. They should be willing to give you a copy of their agreements with other clients. Also ensure that the principal contact person is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience. Their former corporate experience will make sure he/she drives the team in the direction best for you.
And finally, prepare your organization for a new way of thinking that transforms the way accounting is done at the back-office. And you can be sure to enjoy the offshoring experience.
When it comes to outsourcing the accounting department functions in your organisation, the reason ‘why’ is probably obvious. You will save costs, save labour overheads, save real estate rentals, power costs, reimbursements, employee benefits.
Further, there will be no cost for appraisals & training, no capital expenditure on computers & software and related costs for non-essential people, and no extra charges for quality control, employee insurance and paid leave.
What’s more, as an overseas company you will have a better turnaround time thanks to the time difference with India. They start the day earlier and are thus able to deliver faster. There will also be reduced workload on the accounting & HR Departments as they don’t have to worry about retrenchment in bad times, work continuity in case of high employee turnover. Further there are supervision and training costs and headaches.
As outsourcing involves an external party in addition to yours, there is thus better quality of accounting output due to well defined process & SLAs. But the practical questions are…
What size of organization would benefit the most from these services?
It is observed that small and medium enterprises in Europe, having an accounting department with headcount of between 5 & 20 people benefit the most by outsourcing 60% to 75% of their accounting jobs.
What is the process for signing up with an offshore accounting data entry partner?
Typically the process can be outlined in five steps:
It begins with the signing of the Agreements & NDAs
Then documenting the process, as would work on a daily basis.
You must next provide the Data Entry Manual
Training of offshore personnel (Online / On Site / Telephonically)
And finally conduct a trial / pilot run before you go live with daily data
What is the process for regular work flow?
The process for regular work flow is as follows:
You (being the client) scan & email source documents to the offshore data entry service provider
They print out the documents and enter data into the system
The data entry is reviewed by a Supervisor and posted
They confirm the data entry posting by email at end-of-day
Insist on Weekly / Monthly MIS reports on pre-determined formats
This apart, there might be questions relating to training, service levels, quality and confidentiality. These are obviously decided on a case to case basis.
Offshoring the entry of mundane accounting data like voucher entry, statements preparation of monthly or quarterly management accounts, annual accounts, cash flows, year end returns such as P35, P11D, P14, invoicing sales, aged debtor reports, creditor lists, payment picking lists, bank reconciliation and others certainly sounds nice. But is it practical?
India might boast of experience and qualifications of personnel equal to or better than their British counterparts. Accounting data entry companies might also harp on the extreme cost savings, lower wages, zero recruitment and personnel management costs involved, and lack of overheads in outsourcing.
But wouldn’t the main issues be about quality control and confidentiality? Here’s what you must watch for if you are an overseas small and medium enterprise planning to outsource accounting data entry work.
First, make sure your outsourced data entry service provider gives you 240 hours per month per head instead of the usual 160 hours per month per head. This will ensure they double check their outputs as part of the SLA.
Second, at the start of each assignment, set up training sessions with the provider (either online or on site or telephonically) to orient its personnel on the accounting software used by your company. This training must be adequately documented by the accounts data service provider. This document would be used for further referencing.
Third, make sure the data is stored on your server. All your passwords could be shared with the outsourced entity’s employees strictly on a need to know basis and these passwords must be regularly updated to maintain integrity.
Fourth, build quality control into the offshoring process as it adds another dimension to the output. Normally, when the accounting data entry is done in-house, quality control is conducted only at the end of the period, during audits. Offshoring would not mean losing control over the process or the data… rather, it would result in better control by way of well defined SLAs and quality control.
Fifth, look into the specifics of the company you are outsourcing accounts to. Ideally they should be young and energetic and currently doing some work with a select few quality conscious clients. They should be willing to give you a copy of their agreements with other clients. Also ensure that the principal contact person is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience. Their former corporate experience will make sure he/she drives the team in the direction best for you.
And finally, prepare your organization for a new way of thinking that transforms the way accounting is done at the back-office. And you can be sure to enjoy the offshoring experience.
When it comes to outsourcing the accounting department functions in your organisation, the reason ‘why’ is probably obvious. You will save costs, save labour overheads, save real estate rentals, power costs, reimbursements, employee benefits.
Further, there will be no cost for appraisals & training, no capital expenditure on computers & software and related costs for non-essential people, and no extra charges for quality control, employee insurance and paid leave.
What’s more, as an overseas company you will have a better turnaround time thanks to the time difference with India. They start the day earlier and are thus able to deliver faster. There will also be reduced workload on the accounting & HR Departments as they don’t have to worry about retrenchment in bad times, work continuity in case of high employee turnover. Further there are supervision and training costs and headaches.
As outsourcing involves an external party in addition to yours, there is thus better quality of accounting output due to well defined process & SLAs. But the practical questions are…
What size of organization would benefit the most from these services?
It is observed that small and medium enterprises in Europe, having an accounting department with headcount of between 5 & 20 people benefit the most by outsourcing 60% to 75% of their accounting jobs.
What is the process for signing up with an offshore accounting data entry partner?
Typically the process can be outlined in five steps:
It begins with the signing of the Agreements & NDAs
Then documenting the process, as would work on a daily basis.
You must next provide the Data Entry Manual
Training of offshore personnel (Online / On Site / Telephonically)
And finally conduct a trial / pilot run before you go live with daily data
What is the process for regular work flow?
The process for regular work flow is as follows:
You (being the client) scan & email source documents to the offshore data entry service provider
They print out the documents and enter data into the system
The data entry is reviewed by a Supervisor and posted
They confirm the data entry posting by email at end-of-day
Insist on Weekly / Monthly MIS reports on pre-determined formats
This apart, there might be questions relating to training, service levels, quality and confidentiality. These are obviously decided on a case to case basis.
Offshoring the entry of mundane accounting data like voucher entry, statements preparation of monthly or quarterly management accounts, annual accounts, cash flows, year end returns such as P35, P11D, P14, invoicing sales, aged debtor reports, creditor lists, payment picking lists, bank reconciliation and others certainly sounds nice. But is it practical?
India might boast of experience and qualifications of personnel equal to or better than their British counterparts. Accounting data entry companies might also harp on the extreme cost savings, lower wages, zero recruitment and personnel management costs involved, and lack of overheads in outsourcing.
But wouldn’t the main issues be about quality control and confidentiality? Here’s what you must watch for if you are an overseas small and medium enterprise planning to outsource accounting data entry work.
First, make sure your outsourced data entry service provider gives you 240 hours per month per head instead of the usual 160 hours per month per head. This will ensure they double check their outputs as part of the SLA.
Second, at the start of each assignment, set up training sessions with the provider (either online or on site or telephonically) to orient its personnel on the accounting software used by your company. This training must be adequately documented by the accounts data service provider. This document would be used for further referencing.
Third, make sure the data is stored on your server. All your passwords could be shared with the outsourced entity’s employees strictly on a need to know basis and these passwords must be regularly updated to maintain integrity.
Fourth, build quality control into the offshoring process as it adds another dimension to the output. Normally, when the accounting data entry is done in-house, quality control is conducted only at the end of the period, during audits. Offshoring would not mean losing control over the process or the data… rather, it would result in better control by way of well defined SLAs and quality control.
Fifth, look into the specifics of the company you are outsourcing accounts to. Ideally they should be young and energetic and currently doing some work with a select few quality conscious clients. They should be willing to give you a copy of their agreements with other clients. Also ensure that the principal contact person is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience. Their former corporate experience will make sure he/she drives the team in the direction best for you.
And finally, prepare your organization for a new way of thinking that transforms the way accounting is done at the back-office. And you can be sure to enjoy the offshoring experience.
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