Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/49996
PORTALS Reviews For Your Firm Thomson Reuters — NetClient CS Portals 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Firms using other programs in the T omson Reuters CS Professional Suite, particularly those using the document management and tax programs. STRENGTHS • Customizable firm branding and integration of login on fi rm website • Two-way firm/client sharing and collaboration • Broad integration with programs in CS Professional Suite • Ability to off er clients online access 800-968-8900 to productivity programs (Word, Excel) • Dependable hosting, security and uptime POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • Designed for use with other T omson Reuters CS Professional Suite programs SUMMARY & PRICING T omson Reuters was among the fi rst to realize the potential for portals to enhance the fi rm-client relationship, XCM Solutions — XCMportal 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Firms using or considering the broader XCM Workfl ow Manage- ment system to provide structured digital management of their engagements, including the ability to securely share fi les with clients. STRENGTHS • Simple client interface • No storage or bandwidth/transfer limits • Customizable fi rm branding • Two-way fi rm/client sharing and collaboration 781-356-5152 • Dependable hosting, security and uptime • Broad support for mobile devices POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • Not intended as long-term docu- ment storage • Multiple users at same client can't have diff erent access rights SUMMARY & PRICING T e XCM Workfl ow Management system off ers an impressive tech- nologically streamlined way to manage everyday engagements in a mid-sized or larger practice, off ering digital binders that help track all processes, documents, staff and communications within a practice. The XCMportal module is a natural extension of this system, enabling users to securely send and receive engagement-related documents. Pricing is based solely on the number of fi rm users, starting at $500 annually for up to 15 fi rm- side users. 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/10457363 www.XCMsolutions.com ShareFile – ShareFile for Accountants 2012 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT Accounting practices wanting a simple, yet secure method of sharing fi les with clients and allowing them to upload fi les to the fi rm. STRENGTHS • Firm branding and the ability to place a login fi eld on fi rm website • Two-way sharing of fi les between client & fi rm • Multiple users allowed at each client with diff erent access rights • Dependable hosting, security & uptime • Outlook plug-in for quick secure sharing with any email recipient 800-441-3453 20 January 2012 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • Doesn't directly integrate with pro- fessional accounting programs but does off er indirect integration tools through drive mapping and sync. • Limited integration with other productivity applications SUMMARY & PRICING ShareFile for Accountants is an easy to use and learn tool that makes sharing documents with clients much more secure and compliant than email, and provides additional security and manage- ment tools, including automated docu- ment retention and expiration set ings, that give added fi rm control over fi les and folders. ShareFile is available in plans starting at $29.95 for the Basic version and $59.95 for the Professional version, but users like accounting practices who send larger fi le types back and forth, such as bookkeeping program data fi les, are best matched with the Enterprise version, which costs $99.95 per month, for up to 20 staff users, and has the ability to create any number of client companies and users, who can all share fi les, docu- ments, QB data or anything else, depending upon their access rights. 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/10457163 www.ShareFileCPA.com and leads in developing innovative uses for the system. With the ability to off er clients extensive access to applications and documents, NetClient CS portals and the integrated programs in the CS Professional Suite combine to provide outstanding collaboration and client service. T e system is at its best when used alongside the CS Professional Suite. T e portals are sold in bundles of 1,000 for $175 per month, giving fi rms the ability to off er them to their entire client base, or those who want them, without relying on a per-portal pricing method. 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/10457497 www.cs.thomson.com