Miraquel
The Florists Database
User Tips + Hints + To-Dos

Hardware

To run a database

Most PCs bought within the last few years should be sufficient to run the database but if you are looking to purchase and want some guidelines.

If you want to buy a tower pc then ask for:-

Benefits of a laptop

If you do want to use a laptop purchase a proper keyboard for £20 and a proper mouse and make sure the screen is not too low down i.e. put it on something to raise it up - to avoid neck ache.

Benefits of a traditional tower computer
Printer

Mono laser will do but... around £120

Colour lasers have reduced in price from expensive to affordable example the OKI 3200 is around £200 and could provide you with 

Question - Can I use an inkjet printer? - Yes but they are much more expensive on ink to run I would strongly recommend that if you have a colour ink jet printer for POS that you get a mono laser printer for letters etc - Brother laser printers are very good.

Software

Antivirus software - do ensure that you have up to date antivirus software - Some ISP such as BT provide it as part of their package.

Microsoft operating system Windows Professional 2000 or XP Professional or Home - this normally will be installed on your computer when you buy it (currently we do not support Mac users).

If you want to send letters out you will need Microsoft Word 2000 or newer - this is also handy for point of sale as well as letters.

Letterheads - Letters out bound look best if they are printed out on letterheads which have been pre printed - if you have not got any keep your ideas simple and consult you local printer - the more colours the more expensive try a single colour design and reversing some of the text out like the Miraquel logo. Paper - use something between 80 - 100gsm.

Envelopes use window envelopes from your local stockist - you will need C5 (a piece of paper 297x210 folded once through the centre will fit neatly in a C5) or DL (a piece of paper 297 x 210 folded twice will fit in a DL) C4 envelopes are the larger ones which will take a sheet of A4 without folding but the postage on these is going up to reflect the increased cost of handling within the Royal Mail whose system is geared up to handle C5s and DLs.

Connection to the Internet

A connection to the internet is about as vital as a telephone these days but this website can be used on a dial-up connection if you do not have broadband - if you shop around you can get a broadband connection for the price of an un-metered dial-up. Once you have experienced broadband you will not want to go back to a slower internet connection.

Florists Database

The florists database is the final ingredient - built as a response to the needs of florists.

To purchase please contact Miraquel for further details or buy on-line.

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Miraquel

105 Shawhurst Lane
Hollywood
Birmingham
West Midlands
B47 5JP
Tel: 01564 829055 Fax: 0870 138 7679
Email: info@floristsdatabase.co.uk