Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/49996
cPaperless – CPA SafeMail 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Professional fi rms seeking a stand-alone system that will make it easy for their clients to send fi les to them, as well as securely share returns and other docu- ments with their clients. STRENGTHS • Simple for clients and fi rms to use • Strong security customization options • Customizable fi rm branding • Two-way firm/client sharing and collaboration • Dependable hosting, security and uptime 800-716-2558 ext. 100 Offi ce Tools Professional — Client Portal 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Firms using or considering the Offi ce Tools Professional Practice Management 2011 system, who want to provide user-friendly portals to clients. STRENGTHS • Tight integration with Practice Management 2011 system • Project management & fi le sharing • Built-in client communication tools • Customizable fi rm branding • Good integration with outside programs 888-667-8440 SmartVault — SmartVault 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Professional firms and businesses wanting a web-based document management system that includes client portals and integrations with common small business applications. STRENGTHS • Integrated Toolbar for Quick- Books • Customizable fi rm and client-side branding • Support for most mobile devices 866-674-6785 • Familiar expandable folder structure • Customized user-by-user access rights • Automated synching to desktop or server folders POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • File retention and deletion pro- cesses are manual SUMMARY & PRICING With great customization of foldering structures and automated synching with desktop and server drives, the SmartVault system is probably better described as a web-based fi rm document manage- ment system with the ability to off er portals to securely share and receive files with and from clients. The program is available in various versions, with the Professional Plan priced at $99 per month (eff ective January 2012), inclusive of all fea- tures. FIRM USER EXPERIENCE CLIENT-SIDE INTERFACE PORTAL CAPABILITIES TECHNICAL ASPECTS HELP/SUPPORT Read the full review of this product exclusively online at www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/10457728 www.SmartVault.com January 2012 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com 19 POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • Requires use of the Practice Management 2011 system SUMMARY & PRICING Offi ce Tools Professional consistently receives high scores in our annual reviews, and the introduction of the new Client Portals is an excellent extension of the Practice Management 2011 system. With the firm-side view of portal information built directly into the larger system, the portals are easy to manage and use. Likewise, the client-side view of the web portals are uncomplicated and off er good sharing, organization and messaging tools. T e portals are available in a $360 per year Lite version, which includes the core fi le uploading and sharing for the fi rm and client, while the $720 Full Portals system adds client messaging, invoicing, payment, status update features and email marketing functions. To retain fi les on the portal for more than 30 days, the full-year retention add-on is $100. FIRM USER EXPERIENCE CLIENT-SIDE INTERFACE PORTAL CAPABILITIES TECHNICAL ASPECTS HELP/SUPPORT Read the full review of this product exclusively online at www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/10457193 www.Offi ceToolsPro.com POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • Unique fi le structure on portal is not folder-based • Little direct integration with outside programs SUMMARY & PRICING CPA SafeMail takes a diff erent approach to client collaboration and portals, basing it on the workfl ow of email, which makes it intuitive for fi rm users and, just as important, simple for clients. T e system can be used alongside any tax, accounting and document management applications and was specifi cally designed for helping fi rms receive source documents from clients and deliver returns and other documents to their clients. Pricing is based on the modules chosen by the firm and the number of users. The Outlook Plug-In only, which off ers direct, protected fi le sharing without the portals, costs $100 per year for a single user and $800 per year for a 10-person fi rm. T e Outlook Plug-In plus the Automated Password Manager costs $1,000 per year for a 10-person fi rm. Adding the Client Portals to the bundle brings the total to $1,800 for the same number of staff . Additional users can be added with discounted rates; full pricing details are available on the vendor's website. FIRM USER EXPERIENCE CLIENT-SIDE INTERFACE PORTAL CAPABILITIES TECHNICAL ASPECTS HELP/SUPPORT Read the full review of this product exclusively online at www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/10457007 www.cPaperless.com