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Every year, a significant number of new products dedicated to business automation emerge into the marketplace. In 2009, accounting firms generally spent conservatively due to the uncertain economy. Although the uncertainly persists, the latest trends and gadgets could entice businesses to loosen up their wallets anyhow.
Microsoft touted Windows 7 which has received good reviews from the IT folks. We are waiting for the major vendors to complete testing programs and expect major adoption after the 2010 busy season, but are already predicting a strong transition from Windows XP. Weve already converted and are very impressed with the search and task bar views that make working with multiple applications easier than ever. Users with multiple monitors will find it easier to work with even more applications concurrently. Windows 7 supports touch screen capabilities, which we also like, because sometimes its just more convenient to get to where you want by sliding a finger/stylus across the screen. If only we could get the accounting vendors to take advantage of touch technology in their tax and audit application updates.
On the innovation side, Microsoft announced motion capabilities that utilize hand gestures rather than a mouse or controller into their xBox gaming platform. They will be delivering this capability by the end of the year under the product name of Natal. Expect to see it in future Microsoft platforms, possibly in future versions of Windows in your own office!
Speaking of touch displays, they are everywhere. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show, Intel demonstrated a huge cube called Infoscape with hundreds of icons that you could touch on to open almost any image, document or application in a large screen format–think Minority Report without the fancy glove. Kodak displayed their products on a touch screen waterfall table that was over 30 feet long allowing attendees to open and flip through images, resize them and move them around, as they floated by. We see this type of technology as a precursor to future conference room tables within CPA firms. Microsoft Surface displays use similar technology. Surface displays use 30-inch tables that handle any digital objectwhich is exactly what a tax return is once source documents are scanned in and the return is printed to a PDF format.
Touch technology is also integrated in many PCs via tablet and slate formats. We cheated on this one: we ordered an HP TouchSmart tx2 Tablet PC in 2009 and are writing this article on the new laptop. The smaller and lighter form factor works great on airplanes and is definitely usable on the smaller regional jets they are cramming travelers into these days. Lenovo rolled out their IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, which is a laptop that integrated the components into the removable slate screen so it can be used either with or without the keyboard. Apple has announced its new iPad tablet which is supposed to function like a large Apple iPhone. This format seems to be slowly gaining traction for consumers.
NetBooks made a big splash last year and is getting looks from business with the Intel Atom processor. While this technology was originally targeted to the education market, many accounting firms that have converted to web-based applications or that use Citrix/WTS to access the firm will find NetBooks ideal for personnel who want access to firm applications without all the bulk and weight of a traditional laptop.
With the 3G and 4G wars heating up between AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, digital cellular connectivity will become the primary means for auditors to securely connect back to the firm without having to deal with synchronization issues caused by the audit document container applications. Clears 4G WiMax solution allows people to effectively work through a wireless Internet connection at speeds of 2Gbps to 4Gbps. This may be the ultimate solution for metropolitan areas.
eReaders, where Kindle, Sony and Nook have been battling over market share, are another strong trend. Over a dozen vendors have eReaders, but we particularly like Plastic Logics Que Pro Reader. As the name implies, this company has developed a digital reader using plastic transistors instead of silicon, which allows the screen to be more durable and flexible. Their reader not only allowed you to view documents, but also to annotate Office applications and download current journals and publications through the airwaves. For those of you that would rather read on your laptop or smart phone, a company called Blio has a free download that would provide eReader capabilities to these devices.
The print-to-scan transition continues as the multi-function units from HP, Canon, Xerox and Brother are providing cost-effective all-in-one units that are ideal for any size firm. One of our favorite gadgets the Planon DocuPen wand scanner got a facelift with their Xtreme X series and integrated BlueTooth so that you can scan in documents and transfer them to your workstation without having to plug in through a USB cable.
Wireless recharging is another hot trend, with many companies like WiPower and PowerMat integrating pads into their smartphones and laptops (including Dell). This inductive technology works by placing the device on a special surface that can be built into anything including desks, conference room tables, kitchen counters and car dashboards which will recharge the device by contact. Seeing a blender and toaster working without cords was very impressive, but one of the other inductive technologies also made a splashliterally. At this years CES in Las Vegas, we saw one technology that transmitted power through air or water up to 18 inches away from the source so imagine recharging your smart phone by just sitting at your desk!
From a security perspective, one of the surprising products came from Kwikset SmartCode with Home Connect which had secure door keypads that were wirelessly connected through the Internet. Imagine being notified on your smart phone or e-mail that your children had arrived home (by them entering their access code to get inside) or being able to unlock the door when a contractor arrives at your home and notifies you they are there.
Green initiatives continue to be hot, with many energy efficient devices, including rechargeable and solar batteries. Moving less paper and making your personnel utilize onscreen review instead of print and shred will do a lot for the environment and provide more green in your pockets at the end of the year.
Our profession is running parallel with todays ElderCare initiative as the average age of firm members continues to increase and your staff have parents that are starting to consider these products. Jitterbug upgraded their easy to use phones with padded ears and large numbers and some have a concierge service that recognizes the user by name and will make calls for them.
While many of the products discussed in this article can be seen as the bleeding edge, they may not be too far into the future. It wasnt that long ago that large flat panel HD TVs were a novelty. Now, it is common for firms to use them in in conference rooms for client meetings and video conferencing and in lobbies for marketing. 3D TV is the next big thing in TV. I cant wait for accountants to deliver a 3D version of a 1040!
This article is reprinted with the publisher’s permission from the CPA Practice Management Forum, a journal published by CCH INCORPORATED. Copying or distribution without the publisher’s permission is prohibited. To subscribe to the CPA Practice Management Forum or other CCH Journals please call 800-449-8114 or visit www.tax.cchgroup.com.