Digital Inventory

Now that your equipment is c-l-e-a-n, it’s time to take an inventory. (If you haven’t yet cleaned your equipment, check this out. You might not want to know this about your cellphone). You need an inventory of home and business items for insurance purposes, so let’s just get it done for the business side at least.

First, decide if you will use a spreadsheet or web app. Whichever way you decide to go, you need to make sure the file or data is either in the cloud or backed up to the cloud. If your computer is incinerated in a fire and your spreadsheet resides on that computer, all of your efforts will be lost. Hence, the importance of storing or backing up to the cloud!

I’m all for web apps, like iKeepm.com. Maybe you’re already using an app like Home Inventory in the Mac App Store. If, however you aren’t currently using an app, rather than get distracted from the task at hand by evaluating which app might be best for you, I suggest creating a spreadsheet. It’s easy. It can be stored in the cloud AND you’ll get your business inventory completed NOW!

Here are the headings you’ll need for your spreadsheet:

• Item
• Serial Numbers
• Description
• Purchase Date
• Purchase Price
• Protection Plan: yes/no

Start with all of your electronic equipment: cellphones, computers, tablets, routers, printers, digital cameras, etc. Once you’re done with that, you may want to include anything else you want to account for in the event of loss or damage to your property.

We’re going to talk more about storing and backing up to the cloud later, but you can get an account now to Drop Box or Box. It’s FREE and EASY to set up. Upload your completed inventory spreadsheet!

Now, aren’t you glad you finally did that?!?