Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/643338
February 2016 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com 11 ASP/Hosted Solution Providers Insight: Most CD-based sof ware programs can be hosted, which gives users the convenience of web-based anytime/any where access just like a cloud-based system. Tese vendors offer sof t ware hosting ser v ices to accounting frms. WINNER: THOMSON REUTERS VIRTUAL OFFICE CS Runners Up: • Cloud9 Real Time • Right Networks • Xcentric • CPAASP/InsynQ Outsourced Technology Services Insight: Similar to a frm partnering with a local atorney or investment advisor for client services, some turn to specia lt y vendors who prov ide services that range ASPs to virtual ser vers, digital fa x systems, email m a n agement a nd e ven t a x for m preparation. Te most popular this year: WINNER: CLOUD9 REAL TIME Runners Up: • Right Networks • Xcentric • Network Management Group Inc. Laptop and Desktop Computers Insight: Professionals are brand- aware, and ofen stay with the same brand of computer for many years. W hich brand do you prefer? Tere are many on the market, but a few regularly gain the most trust among accounting professionals. WINNER: DELL Runners Up: • HP • Toshiba • Lenovo • Acer • Apple Tablet Computers/Devices Printers & Scanners Insight: P r i nter s a re needed even in the "paperless" ofce. Offce Supply Store Insight: W here do you go for ofce supplies? Out of the more t ha n 5, 30 0 professiona ls who responded to t h is quest ion, it was a photo fnish, with Staples e d g i n g o u t O f f i c e M a x b y a couple dozen votes. Runners Up: • Tomson Reuters FileCabinet CS/ GoFileRoom • eFileCabinet • Intuit ProSeries & Lacerte DMS • SmartVault Document Storage • Ofce Tools Practice Management WorkSpace Document Management Utilities Insight: Modern professionals also need specifc document hardware for scanning and optical character recognition functions, fax capabili- ties and other features. Tese sys- tems complement document man- agement systems. WINNER: FUJITSU Runners Up: • HP • Canon • Nuance • cPaperless Tic-Tie- Calculate Tax Document Automation Insight: Twent y years ago, a sea- soned tax professional could maybe handle 100 returns during the entire ta x season, but w it h automat ion, some i nd iv idua l ta x pros ha nd le several hundred. Te key produc- t iv it y benef its of ta x automat ion systems is geting a client's engage- ment materials into an electronic version, then being able to manage the workpapers, import it into ta x for m s , a nd col l aborate w it h t he c l ient t h roug hout t hei r eng age - ments. No more cumbersome f ile cabinets with client documents. WINNER: INTUIT TAX IMPORT FOR LACERTE & PROSERIES Runners Up: • GruntWorx Populate • Tomson Reuters Source Document Processing • CCH ProSystem fx Scan • Tomson Reuters Workpapers CS • CCH Small Firm Services ATX & TaxWise PaperlessPLUS • SurePrep 1040Scan Pro, 1040Scan Organize Workfow Management Systems Insight: Every frm operates difer- ently, but they can all beneft from s o m e b e s t p r a c t i c e s t h a t h e l p streamline internal processes. Tis can help ta x and accounting frms rea l i z e g reater produc t iv it y a nd proftabilit y. We div ide this work- fow management category into two groups: Comprehensive Work fow Android – 53% Apple – 41% Windows Phone – 3% Others – 3% Smart Phone Insight: Somehow, there are still a few Blackberrys out there. However, most accounting professionals seem to fol low nat iona l trends when it comes to their mobile devices. Staples – 25.62% Office Max/Depot – 25.26% Costco – 11% Sam's – 9% Best Buy – 9% Wal-Mart – 8% IBM – 3% Others – 12.12% OFFICE SUPPLY STORE HP – 37% Brother – 17% Canon – 11% Fujitsu – 11% Epson – 6% Dell – 4% IBM – 3% Xerox – 3% Others – 8% PRINTERS & SCANNERS Apple iPad – 41% Samsung –15% Kindle – 10% Microsoft Surface – 7.5% Dell – 6.5% HP – 5.5% Google – 4.5% Others – 10% TABLET COMPUTERS/DEVICES GENERAL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES