The Importance of Timely and Valuable Asset Management Solutions

The need for effective and efficient asset management has given way to a range of asset management solutions. The assets of a company all play significant roles in the achievement of corporate goals, and therefore must be utilized and managed optimally. Asset management in the modern age has become all the more critical, seeing that technological and information changes have shifted the way industry managers and company leaders make vital decisions.

The core of industry asset management

Any organization or industry is held together by assets, both tangible and intangible. The assets of a business can range from the simple, like a piece of furniture, to the more complex and expensive, as in a transport system. The company personnel or human resources can be counted as assets as well.

Intangible assets can include copyrights and patents, as well the digital systems and information circulating within the business and across units. In asset management, the assets of an industry must be made to function optimally and to be maintained in such a manner that decreases costs and maximizes value.

When assets become mismanaged, the industry could suffer seriously. From the equipment to the personnel, the assets and resources of the business must be optimized for better productivity and value. In any organization, knowing the depreciation and the value of fixed assets is important, just as understanding how the work flow systems can be best applied by the employees or the organization personnel.

Simply put, assets should be viewed as profit sources, and it is important for any industry to be able to tap into the money-making potentials of assets. Managers should be able to identify assets from liabilities so as to improve on capital.

The central role of asset management systems

These solutions, or otherwise termed as asset management services, all serve to assist organizations in identifying the assets that they possess and effectively calculate the value that they are able to provide for the company. Presently, these solutions are available in software form, and are available from a host of asset management services providers.

These services are geared towards the effective organization of various asset types, from production and facilities to transportation and human resources. Both the hardware and software resources must be given due importance, seeing that information technology within the company also needs due focus. These management tools also aim to analyze the depreciation trends of fixed assets so as to help industry managers in valuable decision making.

Physical assets need to be estimated according to their depreciation value, and to arrive at a conclusion whether to reinstate, repair or replace the physical asset, whichever is most cost-effective.

What to look for in the best asset management services

There are presently wide ranging asset management systems offered by vendors. It is important, therefore, to find the one model well-suited to the needs of your company or organization. Asset management can be narrowed down to specific types like investment management, IT asset management, digital asset management, and fixed assets management.

A good asset management system should be able to enhance assets return and minimize costs of operation and maintenance, as well as calculate risk. It should also promote labor efficiency and increase output efficiency. It must also provide information on how to effectively track hardware and software assets and to evaluate their functions both in the short-term and long-term sense.

The realm of business has become more competitive than ever, and with this knowledge, organizations need to keep pace with global competition and shifts in technology through timely and valuable asset management solutions.

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Software Asset Management

 

Software asset management is one of the things you can do to ensure that you are on par with the influx of computers and technology in the corporate world. Few people are familiar with the concept of software management, but it is as important as other aspects of asset management in the organization or company.

Software is an Asset

One of the concepts that must be considered as a fact is that software is an asset. It is an asset in the sense that it can make a lot of favorable returns when you install it. At a fairly minimal cost, you will be able to get back what you invested in a particular software, especially if it is in a business setting. The thing about managing software assets is that you must first inherently believe that it is an asset to the company.

What are the software assets popular today?

Some of the more popular software assets today depend on the nature of your company operations. For example, if you are oriented on spatial data, you will find mapping software to be one of your greatest assets. Licenses for highly upgraded and updated software are quite expensive, so they need to be managed more carefully and in full detail. If you happen to be on a software business, the software inventory might be more than just a means of managing your software assets.

How do you manage your software asset?

Software assets may basically be managed by checking out license receipts and the like all over the company’s operations. This way, duplication of purchases are prevented and you will know which software needs more updating than the others. A good record of the software bought will also ensure that you are able to keep track of your expenses when you are purchasing software. You might also consider getting a software that will actually help you manage not just your software assets but all the other physical assets in your company.

Constantly upgrading your software

Aside from taking inventory, part of software asset management is scheduling your upgrades. You must do it quite regularly so that you can be ensured that you get the best of all your software. Periodically inspect if the upgrades are working properly, and replace them immediately if they malfunction in one way or another. These little things may seem insignificant, but nothing beats the frustration of having wasted time because of menial things such as not having the right software when you need it the most.

Software Asset Management in the Organization

In the organization, a unified software asset management strategy is needed to be able to efficiently function with all the right updates needed by the company. If one component is updated and the others are falling behind, this still doesn’t constitute effective software asset management. If you are really serious about getting it all right, all the other components within the organization must support your endeavors of making software asset management a habit.

Salient issues pertaining to Software asset management

Salient issues pertaining to software asset management involve miscommunication on the part of the software asset manager and the other end users of the software. Duplications due to loopholes in the updates of the software inventory may also cause a dent in the integrity of the software asset management system.

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Should You Consider Refinancing Your Home?

Generally speaking, it may be a good time to consider refinancing your home when you can obtain an interest rate that is at least 2% lower than your current mortgage interest rate.

 

However, there are other considerations that come into play.  With the current economic recession brought about by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, home values have declined.

 

If you decide to refinance based upon the immediate need to pay off high interest rate loans or credit cards, or if you plan on making improvements to your home to increase its value, it may be necessary to wait until the home values increase before taking this step.

 

You may be better off bootstraping now, in order to avoid a whole lot of pain later on.  Better to pay down those credit cards in a disciplined way, than tap into the equity in your home which you’ve worked so hard to build.

 

You will also have to take into consideration the cost of refinancing a mortgage.  Several questions need to be answered, such as:

 

How much will I save if I refinance now?

 

Can I afford to pay the fees associated with refinancing such as PMI (prepaid mortgage insurance), inspections, title search, and points, without having to add these to the initial refinance cost?

 

Research will be required to determine if it is feasible to refinance your home.  This may include visiting your lender and discussing the pros and cons of refinancing at this time.

 

You may also wish to compare the difference between refinancing and the cost of your current mortgage to determine if refinancing will yield a significant saving.

 

There are many online mortgage calculators that can help you in this endeavor, so make sure you do your research in order to look before you leap.

 

Another consideration is the length of time you will remain in your home.  Re-fi for the whole of the house’s equity pretty much wipes you all you’ve put into it. If you are not careful, you could end up in worse shape than before, and without a safety net any longer.

 

Therefore, whether you revisit your current lender or research other mortgage lenders, having accurate accounting of your monthly mortgage versus how much it would cost to refinance (including the aforementioned fees) and whether or not there is an actual savings will be the deciding factor.

 

Most experts advise that if, within seven years, the cost of refinancing does not yield a substantial savings to the homeowner specifically as relates to paying off all the fees incurred during the process, it is not worth the time or the money to refinance.

 

Make sure you look at your financial situation realistically. Have a budget, and stick to it. If you are just trying to re-fi in order to pay off credit card debt, don’t.  The sacrifices you will make now will be worth it in the long run, without adding all sorts of fees and paperwork into the mix.

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Things to Watch Out For With Mortgage Insurance

Things to Watch Out For With Mortgage Insurance When the sub-prime mortgage crisis occurred, the reason why many homeowners went into foreclosure was because they could not pay their inflated mortgages.

 

Since there may have been no insurance offered at the time, both the lenders and the homeowners suffered a loss.

 

Private Mortgage Insurance is primarily utilized for homeowners who are considered at high risk for payment.  It does not count toward a home’s equity, or provide any other benefit than ensuring that if a homeowner goes into default, both the lender and the homeowner are protected.

 

Private Mortgage Insurance  or PMI is being widely demanded by lenders today, especially if new homeowners cannot put up a down-payment of 20% or more, or if they are borrowing more than 8% of the market value of the home.

 

Keep in mind, however, that you are protected as a homeowner under the Homeowners Protection Act, or HPA.  It is important to know your rights as it pertains to PMIs.

 

According to the Federal Reserve, under the Homeowners Protection Act, you have the right to request cancellation of PMI when you pay down your mortgage to the point that it equals 80 percent of the original purchase price or appraised value of your home at the time the loan was obtained, whichever is less.

 

You also need a good payment history, meaning that you have not been 30 days late with your mortgage payment within a year of your request, or 60 days late within two years.

 

Your lender may require evidence that the value of the property has not declined below its original value, and that the property does not have a second mortgage, such as a home equity loan, taken out against the value of the property.

 

The Homeowners Protection Act also requires that: “For loans obtained on or after July 29, 1999, the HPA establishes three different times when a lender or servicer must notify a consumer of his or her rights.  Those times are at loan closing, annually, and upon cancellation or termination of PMI.

 

“The content of these disclosures varies depending on whether: (1) PMI is “borrower-paid PMI” or “lender-paid PMI,” (2) the loan is classified as a “fixed rate mortgage” or “adjustable rate mortgage,” or (3) the loan is designated as “high risk” or not.

 

At loan closing, lenders are required to disclose all of the following to borrowers:

 

* The right to request cancellation of PMI and the date on which this request may be made.

* The requirement that PMI be automatically terminated and the date on which this will occur.

* Any exemptions to the right to cancellation or automatic termination.

* A written initial amortization schedule (fixed-rate loans only).

 

Annually, your mortgage loan servicer must send borrowers a written statement that discloses:

 

* The right to cancel or terminate PMI.

* An address and telephone number to contact the loan servicer to determine when PMI may be canceled.

 

When the PMI coverage is cancelled or terminated, a notification must be sent to the consumer stating that:

 

* PMI has been terminated, and the borrower no longer has PMI coverage.

* No further PMI premiums are due.

 

The obligation for providing notice of cancellation or termination is with the servicer of the mortgage.”

 

PMI can be a significant amount of money every month, so know your rights and the rules on PMI, and keep track of your dollars and cents in these tough times.

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Don’t Fall for 0% APR offers

Despite the economic crisis, many people have recently received a mortgage application in the mail offering 0% APR for a specific time, usually phrased as a limited time offer you need to act on now.

 

While this offer may seem attractive, and one you would be a fool to miss out on, it is merely a gimmick the credit card companies and mortgage lenders utilize to entice people by offering an apple when, in fact, the real deal turns out to be a lemon.

 

According to the Federal Reserve, any initial information you receive about mortgages probably will come from advertisements, mail, phone, and door-to-door solicitations from builders, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, and lenders.

 

Although this information can be helpful, keep in mind that these are merely marketing materials. The ads and mailings are designed to make the mortgage look as attractive as possible, without you ever looking at the fine print.

 

These advertisements may play up low initial interest rates and monthly payments, without emphasizing that those rates and payments could increase substantially later. Indeed, that they would be much more substantial as soon as they check your credit history!

 

So if you are looking to get a mortgage  even in these turbulent times, make sure you get all the facts of the offer being put in front of you, and make sure any offers you consider meet your financial needs.

 

Any ad for a loan or financing of any type that shows a 0% APR introductory interest rate should also show how long the rate is in effect.  If the APR is much higher than the initial rate after the grace period, any money you have borrowed will incur finance charges at a much higher rate,  even if market interest rates stay the same.

 

An interesting article by Carolyn Noel Warren of Mortgage Helper tells about her experience attending a seminar hosted by one of the leading lenders in the U.S.

 

In discussing how they compete for customers who are seeking loans and refinancing, the speaker stated: “Give them apples and oranges to compare, so that won’t know which loan is best.”

 

These are the tactics lenders utilize to steer you towards their company for your financial needs, even though it might not be right for you.

 

If you are considering refinancing and happen to receive an offer where the APR is 0%, yet when it is time to sign the contract you find that the APR is not 0% but a much higher number, you will want to reconsider.

 

Any credit card offer in the mail that is similar, and offers you a balance transfer, might also be tempting, BUT look at the length of the grace period, and the APR if you are deemed to default, and any fees associated with the balance transfer (often 3 to 6%, in which case it is NOT  0% APR, now is it?)

 

I know of people who have had TERRIBLE  experiences with Discover card precisely through that kind of misleading advertising, with their APR up to 22% now, even though landing is at 1/2%!

 

The sub-prime mortgage crisis has made homeowners more aware of the problems associated with mortgages and refinancing when dealing with unscrupulous lenders.  If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

 

The same is true of credit card companies. If you must have a credit card in case of emergencies, know which one you have has the least percentage rate. Make sure you also pay off more than the minimums each month, and go out of your way to pay them down NOW, as fast as possible, so you are not getting zapped with a lot of monthly finance charges.

 

Research your lender thoroughly, ask questions, and don’t fall for 0% APR. Be smart with your money, and reap the rewards.

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Comparing Reverse Mortgage Offers

 

If your parents or grandparents are considering a reverse mortgage, it pays to do your research in order to know exactly what they are getting into, in order to stay safe, and avoid scams.

 

Currently there is only one type of reverse mortgage available.  It is called the HECM, or Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. This mortgage is insured by FHA.

 

You can obtain this type of mortgage from a HUD lender.  Since the credit crunch, there are new rules and regulations these lenders must abide by.  The fees are specific, and set by law.  There are some HUD lenders, however, who may offer some type of discount.

 

The maximum amount a lender can offer for a reverse mortgage is $417,000.  In addition, the origination fees will be charged as follows: 2% on the first $200,000 and 1% on any amount above $200,000.

 

What are the fees associated with a reverse mortgage?  As an example, let’s assume a house is valued at $200,000.  The origination fee would amount to $2500; the Mortgage Insurance Cost would be $4,000; the Closing cost is estimated at $2,200; and the Service Fee is approximately $5,345.

 

The origination fee is charged by the lender to implement the loan.  Again, it is 2% of the first $200,000 and 1% thereafter.

 

The mortgage insurance cost is a requirement of HUD and is based on 2% of the home’s value up to $417,000. There is an additional .05% of the loan balance attached.

 

The closing costs encompass services that are performed prior to the reverse mortgage’s finalization, for example, the appropriate surveys, inspections, title searches, taxes, and credit checks.

 

The service fee is used to cover the costs of any future service fees, and they can range from $20 to $35.

 

You can compare a reverse mortgage to home equity loans, second mortgages, or a home equity line of credit.  However, while a home equity loan may incur lower interest rates, since it is a variable rate, it is also possible that the monthly payments will be significantly higher.

 

Considering a reverse mortgage requires a great deal of research.  Before the credit crunch, there were three types of Reverse Mortgage loans: HUD, Fannie Mae, and the Jumbo Reverse Mortgage.  Due to decreases in home values at present, a result of the economic crisis, the only reverse mortgage now available is through HUD.

 

Do your research, and if you really think a reverse mortgage is right for your family, move forward with caution only through HUD. Avoid scammers or anything that sounds too good to be true. A reverse mortgage can help many seniors, but only if they don’t fall prey to reverse mortgage scammers.

 

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Family Meal Planning To Save Money

 

There are several ways in which meal planning can save money.

 

Whether you purchase groceries on sale or at a warehouse, always buy in bulk.  Buy those items that you can prepare in one meal which you can then make last several means.

 

For example, whole chickens are reasonably priced.  You can purchase two and make a pot of chicken stew, a pot pie, a roast chicken, a stir fry, a chicken salad, and so on. Vegetables on sale or from the local farmers market can be added to the meal as well as well. Whatever you don’t eat, freeze.

 

(And if you have ANY spare room in your house, I suggest you invest in a small to medium sized chest freezer for the same reason, to save money.)

 

Any type of home-made soup or stew can be easily frozen for lunches or dinners, and helps  meat  stretch much further.

 

There are a myriad of recipes online that offer tips and suggestions on how to prepare meals for up to a month in advance. Do your research based on a main ingredient, book up the dishes, and then eat or freeze into meal sized portions for the family.

 

With the current recession, more and more families are utilizing coupons, Sunday circulars, and store circulars to purchase items on sale. This is a great idea that can help you save bit, especially if you get double coupons.

 

In addition, stock up on store brand items.  They are often  just as good as brand-name items, and are sometimes manufactured by the very same company that makes the premium brands.

 

If you budget accordingly, you can prepare meals that are affordable and easy to prepare.

 

Here’s another example on how you can save money.  Instead of ordering a pizza (the price and delivery are quite expensive), buy English muffins on sale, or a large loaf of French bread, a jar of pasta sauce (or use your own homemade sauce), and a small mozzarella cheese package (low fat is best to save money and calories too).

 

With the muffins, or bread slices, you can make mini pizzas for your family!  They are even more delicious than regular pizza and cost half the price.

 

Utilizing the items in your home can assist you in preparing creative meals.  One-pot stew is always a favorite, for which you can purchase inexpensive pieces of meat.  Just add vegetables from your garden or farmer’s market.  You can also freeze this, so why not make enough for several servings.

 

It even makes a great pet food; all you have to do is run it in the blender to desired consistency, and you can get very high quality but inexpensive dog vitamins as chewables or ones you can throw into the food before you blend it, for a cheap,  nutritious meal that will save a ton on pet food bills.

 

Meal planning done well in advance, in conjunction with whatever is on sale, is an affordable way to save money over the long term

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