Been thinking of getting a laptop and printer for the truck. I would normally do invoices at the end of the day, lately it has been end of the week, or week and a half. I would love to just take a few min on site and be done with it. My invoices now are excel, but I am looking for a better system.

What has worked well for you? I would like to spend under $1000 for the laptop, printer and invoicing software.

Using an iPad mini connected to the net via Verizon, invoice ASAP for invoicing and Xpense trkr, for tracking expenses. I haven't added a printer in the truck yet as I can fill it out and e mail it to the customer while still on site. Less then $600.00 total investment. The Verizon Internet connection cost me $20.00 a month

I have an inverter so I have 110 volts in the cab. I use a $70 printer from Wal Mart. For Animal Control jobs I use QuickBooks. Enter the customer info, enter the charges, print the invoice, enter the payment when received and its in the books for taxes. I use a $3-400 laptop. This setup has worked for me since 2004.

Richard

I did a related podcast on May 15, 2001

Going Mobile - Going Green
http://www.blubrry.com/wildlifecontrol/1047534/going-mobile-going-green/

Former Critter Control manager shares how to best organize routes using mobile phone apps, take credit cards and go paperless as much as you can.

" Being Mobile is a very important task to master in today’s world of doing business. More and more of our customers and staff are becoming tech savvy. With gadgets becoming smaller and easier to use there is no excuse for not having some sort of mobile solution to keep you in the loop and in touch with all your business needs while on the road. Being in the service industry my office is my pickup truck. I am always on the go, so mastering the art of mobile technology to make things easier is a necessary task. All business activities from such as receiving service request to updating our companies website is easily done while on the road." -Anthony Del Campo West Palm Beach Florida http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3133704/credit_cards_Squareup.html#Post3133704

Going Mobile - Going Green was all about how to use the I-Phone and go paperless.
http://www.blubrry.com/wildlifecontrol/1047534/going-mobile-going-green/

Here is the post explaining it all in detail after the podcast
http://thewildlifepro.net/forum/topics/taking-your-office-on-the-road

If you are going to use an inverter for your truck figure up how many watts that the computer, printer, and batteries consume and multiply that amount by at least 120% and you should be good for any future equipment. If you only have the voltage and current you can still figure out how many watts that it consumes. If you need help in the calculations p.m. me. The nice thing about an inverter is that you can always have fresh batteries for your tools also. Make sure that you oversize your wire and ground it properly as per the instructions. Make sure that it is fused properly...

That recommendation is coming from a duly licensed electrician guys!! Great advice !!

He also did a site inspection "electrical safety" podcast with us in Jan 2013 http://www.blubrry.com/wildlifecontrol/1652604/site-inspection-electrical-safety-bats-birds-bees/

Glad to help NWCO's Robb