Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/40356
Adam Kupperman — 36 Senior Director, Enterprise Sales — Thomson Reuters Chappaqua, New York Education: BS in Economics, Wharton School of Business Hobbies: Family time, Exercising, Softball, Avid New York Yankees fan What are some ways your firm/business has gone "paperless" and/or "green" in the last two years? Not to toot our own technology (but I will), but we have been using scanners and our GoFileRoom document management system for years as a way to be paperless within our sales organization and other parts of Thomson Reuters. All proposals, sales tools, signed contracts, etc. are electronic and accessible at any time. What is your favorite smartphone or tablet app? I would have to say Shazam because it can help me answer my 5 ½ year old daughter who continually asks, "Daddy, who sings this?" whenever we listen to the radio. Whenever I tell her, "I don't know," she responds by telling me to use my phone to find out! Do you foresee the majority of firms still implementing servers for the majority of their computing in their offices five years from now or do you think they will be outsourcing this component to vendors who specialize in this area? No, I believe the majority of firms will embrace the cloud and choose to outsource the management of their key software applications that drive server demand in five years. With pervasive and affordable high-speed bandwidth and ever-increasing security and regulatory requirements governing privacy, it is compelling for firms to outsource infrastructure and leverage SaaS applications. The price points for these offerings are very affordable today, and one can only assume that they will get even more affordable in five years time. Now the one underlying assumption that I am making, and I know I am biased on this point, is that the software vendors will be delivering robust applica- tions that continue to meet the business requirements of the profession, such that functionality is not compro- mised by moving to a truly web-based and software as a service application. Cell phone: iPhone What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? My knee jerk response would be my iPhone or iPad for the obvious reasons of being connected to work and having access to information and my media. However, I would have to say the piece of tech- nology that I can't live without still remains to be my TV. As an avid TV watcher and sports fan, the TV is an integral part of my leisure time so I can't imagine life without it. Do you embrace cloud computing? I am and have always been a strong proponent of cloud computing and have been supporting this technology delivery model since the day I started working with the CPA profession. The notion of software as a service and infrastructure as a service are compelling on so many levels. Cloud computing allows for anytime/anywhere accessibility, robust security, disaster recovery, and tremendous cost savings for a firm that truly embraces this model. Thinking of technology not as products but as a service is, without question, the future for our profession and others. How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how concerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? Cloud computing is having a profound impact on the profes- sion on many levels. This technology deployment, procurement and operating model affords predictable software and infrastructure expense, enterprise-level security that cannot otherwise be afforded, anytime/ anywhere access to mission-critical applications without regard to physical location, alleviation of technical burdens and headaches, and enabling technology departments to focus on more strategic initiatives that will translate into more business value to a firm. Properly implemented, the profession should see higher levels of employee efficiency while smoothing and reducing software and infrastructure costs. I am not at all concerned with security issues related to cloud computing, assuming that firms will use leading and reputable software vendors and data center operations. I am more concerned with the myriad of security issues related to not adopting a cloud model. More security breaches occur internally as opposed to the typical fear of an external threat (i.e. hacker), not to mention when files that contain private information are stored on laptops that could get stolen and/or hacked into. In my opinion, the cloud offers a far greater level of reliable security and redundancy than any internal environ- ment can do on its own. Monitors on your desk? Two physical monitors, but my iPad is acting as my third. NOT including your current employer, what company do you most admire and why? Without question, I would have to say Apple because of its ability to transform itself. Apple reinvented itself years ago and continues to change the game with its innovative consumer products. While I have always been a Microsoft and PC advocate, I have become infatuated with Apple's technologies, including its AppleTV and iPhone … and most recently the iPad. For a company that had a significantly inferior market position to Microsoft in its core market to literally transform itself, innovate and create brand new markets is absolutely memorizing. Are you using social networking (such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+) as a marketing tool for your business … or do you use such sites for personal use only? I use LinkedIn on a frequent basis and have found it to be a remarkable tool to connect and network with professionals. I have also seen many discussion groups in our market levering LinkedIn so it truly has meaningful value in our profession. What sports team/championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? As a die-hard baseball fan, I cannot miss the New York Yankees and the World Series. What are some of your favorite TV shows? My favorite TV show is House. GOTTA HAVE IT When asked what one technology they couldn't func- tion without, most of this year's 40 responded it was their smartphone, while a few mentioned the internet in general, remote sharing and even their iPad. 37 Back to Contents Page 3