Whether it is for large company servers or for household personal purposes, software solutions are becoming quite complicated, due to its high cost and installation charges. Among many options, software leasing is considered a smart and flexible tool to acquire expensive software solutions within one?s operating budgets. It provides opportunities for the users to employ most modern software tools without any substantial investment. When a software tool is leased, users pay only lease fee, and the annual payment is usually made over time. This enables companies to overcome budget limitations. Software leasing is mostly in the form of capital lease. But, in some instances, it is treated as an operating lease.

As it effectively solves business problems, software leasing is highly advantageous to both high-tech and domestic companies. The prime benefit of software leasing is that it does not require huge cash outlays, deposits or advance payments. This allows users to control costs and conserve cash reserves and equity position. Benefits also include lower technology acquisition costs, tax advantages, and preservation of working capital and credit line. In addition, software leasing ensures 100% financing of the cost of the software, since it is inclusive of consulting, customization, and training costs. Sometimes, options are available to own the license of the lease by purchasing software at fair market value at the end of the lease.

Leasing cycles and payments are negotiable and usually comply with debt covenants. Payments are designed in such a way that it can fit into any budget, and payment term generally ranges from three to five years. Software leasing services are generally made available by leasing companies and software developers. Some of the leading names in software leasing services are Cornerstone, LeaseSource and Coach Capital, LLC, SoftwareFunding, and PlanMagic. Most provide comprehensive lease finance solutions as well as complete network installations combined with flexible monthly payments and tax benefits.

Getting started in a business is almost a never cheap undertaking. Whether it's an office-related operation or a commercial construction company, there are equipment expenses that can prohibit startups from getting off the ground running correctly. But thanks to equipment leasing companies, the expenses can be a bit more manageable.

When it comes to equipment leasing, companies can rent just about any type of machine to get their jobs done. Heavy equipment, office machines and even coffee machines can all be leased. Whether it's a long-term lease or one just meant to help a company get enough working capital to make outright purchases, these leases can open doors for startups and even help longstanding companies save some money.

The advantages of leasing include:

* Easier access to needed equipment. Rather than have to pay thousands of dollars right now to set up an office with computers, a lease brings the monthly bottom line down to pennies on the dollar.

* Maintenance. Since the equipment is leased, maintenance and repairs are generally covered under contracts. There's no need to worry if a machine breaks, the lease should cover it and get the company back up and running quickly.

* No worries over replacement costs. If something stops working all together, there's no need to be concerned about having to shell out for another big investment. Replacements are generally included in the lease contract.

The types of equipment a business can lease are practically endless. They include:

* Office furniture. From desk and chairs to filing cabinets and even pictures, leasing is available to help businesses get off the ground. This helps a new company avoid a large capital outlay during start up and can result in a good looking office for a reasonable amount of money.

* Computers. Leases on technology are quite common in today's working world. These generally include help with basic programs and so on to really help a new business get up and running on the right foot right from the start.

* Other office technology such as faxes, copiers, printers and so on.

* Heavy equipment. From backhoes to forklifts, there are leasing options available on just about every piece of equipment imaginable. The advantages here can be great in helping a company avoid big capital outlays while still enabling them to get jobs done.

While it used to be most companies had to buy everything needed to get their jobs done and even open their doors, today's business world often revolves around leases. Providing a great way to ensure everything that's needed is obtained, these leases can be a real benefit to business.

When leasing, make sure you get the equipment you really need, read the contract fully and understand any maintenance agreements. Even for companies that intend to buy their own equipment eventually, leases can help a company get over the hump in starting out without having to have a lot of capital at the beginning.

If you are getting ready to move into an apartment then you should educate yourself about leases. Many people don't want to be bothered reading it, but forget that a lease is a legal binding document and not every lease contains the same information. Before you sign one you should educate yourself on what they usually contain and what it means when you sign one.

For the most part the lease is the contract between yourself and the landlord which defines what you and the landlord can and cannot do. Once you sign the dotted line you are agreeing to the terms within the document so it is important that you read the entire document including the fine print.

For the most part all leases contain some standard information including landlord/tenant's name, rent amount, property address, security deposit and the start and end date of the lease. While these are pretty much standard in all leases here are some clauses that can also be seen in a lease:

1. Pet Policy
2. Consequences of Late Rent Payment
3. What services are included in rent (utilities, snow removal, garbage removal etc.)
4. Landlords right of entry

So when you have finally found the right apartment and it is time to sign the lease make sure you read it over carefully.

Lease-end residual values are very important in the calculation of monthly lease payments since leases are based on the difference between residual value and negotiated selling price. The higher the residual value, the lower the lease cost.

Residual values are usually expressed as a percentage of MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) -- not negotiated price as many people often believe -- based on length of lease and average mileage. For example, if a vehicle's MSRP is $30,000 and its 36-month residual is 50%, assuming 15,000 miles per year, the dollar value of that residual is $15,000.

Residual values reflect anticipated depreciation of vehicle values over time. These values are estimated, based on a number of factors including annual mileage, number of months in the lease, vehicle make/model, past resale history, and expected future economic conditions. In short, setting residuals is an educated guessing process based on the best data available.

Residual values can be different depending on who is doing the estimating. One dealer who uses a particular lease company may offer a significantly different residual value than another dealer who uses a different company, for exactly the same vehicle and same lease. It is often misunderstood by consumers that residuals are constant and fixed for a particular vehicle make and model.

Lease companies often choose to use industry sources of residual data (ALG, Blackbook) rather than do their own research. However, they may adjust those values up or down as they see fit. It is very common for example to temporarily boost residuals for limited-time promotions.

Over the last few years, residuals have been abnormally high due to the extremely competitive nature of the automobile sales industry. This has been a great benefit to leasing consumers, but a financial disaster to leasing companies and banks. Many banks have now stopped offering leases, unable to keep up with the artificially high residuals still being offered by deep-pocket car manufacturers.

Many potential car lease consumers are often frustrated by not being able to predict exactly what residual value they might expect from a dealer. In this sense, residuals are much like interest rates on car loans.