Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/53322
MONTHLY MICRO APPS BENEFITS: • Cross-platform support makes it possible for users of Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, or Windows Mobile devices to use the same app to capture documents. • Natively supports sharing documents via e-mail, Google Docs, Evernote, Skype, and DropBox. Files can alternatively be downloaded from the phone's memory using a USB cable. • Makes it possible for employees to have a document capture device in the fi eld without carrying any extra hardware. POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS: • Graphics captured are not as sharp as those captured by PC-based portable document scanners such as a Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100 or S1300. • Users who do not have a steady hand may have to take multiple pictures to replace blurry images. • Firms will need to make sure that their staff policies and procedures address the security and confi den- tiality of client data captured with these devices. • Melon does not currently off er a version of this app for devices running Apple's iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad). iOS users may want to consider apps such as Scan2PDF, CamScanner+, or DocScanner. OPER TING SYSTEMS: Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, Windows Mobile PUBLISHER: Melon Mobile PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE: www.melonmobile.com PRICE: $7.99 App Profi le: BNA Quick Tax Reference App SUMMARY: A great tool for the practitioner who needs to have key tax rates and fi gures with them at all times. We've all been there – you're at a party, and a client (or prospective client) corners you with a simple question like the current mileage rate, but you're so tired aſt er a long week that you can't remember. This application will let you provide basic answers (mileage rate, tax rates, retirement plan limitations, etc.) on the fl y. While the BNA Quick Tax Refer- ence App is useful for practitioners, it doesn't include features which could make it more useful such as linkage to detailed content for BNA sub- scribers, the ability to e-mail or update social media sites with current news and developments. BENEFITS: • Free, and includes information for tax years 2007-2011, and frequent updates are issued by BNA at no charge. • Includes key information such as mileage rates, tax rates (corporate, personal, and estate), standard deductions, personal exemption amounts, pension, retirement plan, and IR limitations. • Has enough content to answer basic questions and takes up very lit le storage on your device. • Works on both smartphones and tablets running supported mobile operating systems. POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS: • Does not provide information on IRS cases and policy releases other than updates to the basic rules, rates, and limits. T ere is no integration with BNA's online tax research service for subscribers. • T e app could be made more useful by providing linkage to detailed content for BNA subscribers, the ability to e-mail or post status updates with current news and developments. • Windows Mobile devices are not supported. OPERATING SYSTEMS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry (no Windows Mobile) PUBLISHER: BNA/Bloomberg PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE: www.bna.com/quick-tax-reference-app/ PRICE: Free to all users App Profi le: RoboForm SUMMARY: An excellent password management application for creating and securely storing strong passwords. One of the challenges for every accounting professional is keeping up with all of the usernames and passwords used to access confi dential information. RoboForm is a secure database (with a single, master password) for storing and entering these logins. T e application's auto- mated data entry saves time and also protects users against malware such as keystroke loggers. T e tool can also store a number of user profi les so that users can automatically fi ll data such as name, address, etc. into web forms. Rather than relying on memory or slips of paper, this tool provides better organization and enhances security at the same time. BENEFITS: • Stores all of your usernames and passwords in an encrypted database. • Integration with PC and mobile browsers goes directly to login screens and automatically enters your stored credentials. • RoboForm Everywhere service ($19.95/year) includes an annual license for the smartphone, PC, and Mac client applications, as well as synchronization of data between computer, mobile device, and web. POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS: • Automatic password entry is not supported for all interfaces, including many network logins. OPERATING SYSTEMS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry,Windows Mobile, Symbian, PalmOS, Windows PC, and MacOS. Browser extensions are available for Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera. PUBLISHER: Siber Systems, Inc. PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE: www.roboform.com PRICE: T e app itself is free, however, the required RoboForm Everywhere data synchronization service is $19.95/year, and includes a license for the PC/Mac based version of the soſt ware. February 2012 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com 29