Look Twice Before You Leap Into Vista
SmartBiz.com (04/24/07) ; Barker, Kris

IT asset management (ITAM) tools should be employed by small businesses prior to deploying Microsoft Windows Vista to determine whether their hardware and software can handle the migration. By analyzing the capabilities of every desktop, server, and mission-critical application beforehand, companies can calculate how much they will need to spend on upgrades. In addition to assessing available memory and processing speeds, the analysis will determine whether applications deemed critical to operations are compatible with Vista. Research reveals that the approximately 70 percent of companies without formal ITAM processes will face substantial obstacles when making the switch to Vista, hindering productivity.
http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2082/1/60

Are You Outgrowing Your Accounting Software?
Small Business Computing (04/23/07) ; Bsales, Jamie

Small businesses that are growing rapidly often need to update their technology to reflect their increasingly complex operations; accounting and inventory software is one of the primary technological areas in which solutions that worked well for very small businesses become less effective as the company expands. One product that eases this transition for many small businesses is Intuit's QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions, designed for businesses with revenues in the range of $1 million and up and between 20 and 500 employees. Enterprise Solutions is powerful enough to generally require its own server, although it can be run from a PC if necessary. Because its user interface is the same as that of the popular QuickBooks, the solution's functions and operations are easy to learn. In addition, it allows workers in different departments to all have access to the same accounting information, with modular access settings available if needed. The solution also has a number of inventory features, including the ability to show managers how many of various units are available to promise to a customer, based on pending purchase and sales orders, when this number differs from the number of items physically on hand. Enterprise Solutions can also be extended with modules from third parties that enhance its usability in specific areas. Pricing for the solution starts at $3,000.
http://www.SmallBusinessComputing.com/biztools/article.php/3673501

How CRM Can Help Merge Crucial Customer and Financial Data
CRM Buyer (04/20/07) ; Forkner, Randy

Merging customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools could help firms boost efficiency and their bottom lines. An integrated solution would put credit information at the fingertips of customer representatives, as well as allow salespeople to look at detailed lists of customer activity and communications and access the accounting system directly to input orders. PCC Network Solutions in Southern California recently opted for Microsoft Dynamics CRM to meet its need for "a consistent, reportable sales process to remove dependency of multiple complex spreadsheets used to track data and to make reporting of data more efficient," according to Susanne Lichtenberger, vice president of information systems. Given that Dynamics CRM works similarly to other Microsoft applications, the company says workers figured out how to use it without much assistance. Additionally, the application can be integrated with Office and other Microsoft solutions and offers simplified tech support, customized workflow processes, and speedy access to data.
http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/86nE6YPqXOEP6v/How-CRM-Can-Help-Merge-Crucial-Customer-and-Financial-Data.xhtml

Affordable All-In-One Devices: Print, Scan, Fax... Even Create PDFs
CPA Technology Advisor (04/10/07) ; O'Bannon, Isaac M.

Professional-grade models of multi-purpose printers/scanners have come down in price, giving organizations more reasons to provide an all-in-one device to every staff member who is routinely involved in scanning, printing, or faxing tasks. Organizations should focus on print quality and speed of the models, which often cost less than $300. Dell offers a wired ($199) and wireless ($279) version of the All-In-One 966, which offers hands-free dual-sided (duplex) printing as a notable feature and has a 50-sheet flatbed scanning/copying capacity. The model delivers good printing/scanning/color copying functionality, media card slots for direct photo printing, a stand-alone fax (without handset), and quality that is appropriate for business use. Small- and mid-size offices should be pleased with the fast speeds and excellent quality of Canon's Pixma MP830 Office All-In-One model, which offers printer, scanner, copier, and fax functions. The Pixma ($290) model is noteworthy for offering high-end capabilities such as the ability to print two sides and to scan both sides without re-feeding the sheet. Other all-in-one offerings include the Brother MFC-665CW ($199), the Epson Stylus CF7000F ($149), the new Lexmark X9350 ($279), and the Fujitsu ScanSnap ($400).
http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/print/The-CPA-Technology-Advisor/Aff
ordable-All-In-One-Devices--Print--Scan--Fax-Even-Create-PDFs/1$1
514

Smaller Drives Yielding Big Benefits
Data Storage Today (04/11/07) ; Musthaler, Linda

The move from parallel SCSI drives to Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) devices has resulted in a 70-percent reduction in hard-drive size and a dramatic increase in speed. Given that small form factor (SFF) SAS devices are only 2.5 inches in size, the process of reading and writing data is shortened. Research reveals that SFF SAS drives are more reliable and increase system performance by upwards of 150 percent. Companies are also benefiting from a drop in the price of SFF SAS drives from Seagate Technologies and Fujitsu Computer Products, sparked by large-volume purchases by Hewlett-Packard, Dell, IBM, and Sun.
http://www.data-storage-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=03002EUMAK
C&nl=6

Storage That is Online & Hands-Free
Processor (04/06/07) Vol. 29 , No. 14 , P. 1 ; Gain, Bruce

There are presently more than 50 online data storage providers from which to choose, meaning that companies must carefully assess their needs and the capabilities of the provider to ensure maximum data protection. With online storage, company data is frequently backed up and stored offsite, providing easy retrieval in the event of a computer crash or natural disaster. ElephantDrive CEO Michael Fisher says online solutions are better than tapes, noting that "no tapes to lose, less hardware to manage, and physical separation of the backups from the original data are just a few advantages." Fisher adds that online providers make data accessible from remote locations. However, security should be a top priority, and experts urge companies to use only those providers that encrypt the data. Companies would also be wise to ensure that their Internet connections can accommodate frequent data uploads, as well as select a provider that backs up data and files only as changes and additions are made.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?Article=articles/p
2914/30p14/30p14.asp&GUID=

Take Charge
Entrepreneur (04/07) ; Kooser, Amanda C.

There are several products on the market that eliminate the burden of powering and recharging wireless devices. Mobile workers do not have to remove devices from their cases with the Power Ready notebook cases from APC, which feature cord ports. Slated for release in a few months is WildCharge, a wireless pad that recharges devices placed on top of it, provided they have a WildCharge adapter. Finally, an assortment of devices can be recharged by the iGo Everywhere from Mobility Electronics, including Bluetooth headsets and MP3 players. The all-in-one package features a power splitter and accessories that allow devices to be charged in the car or a wall outlet.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/april/1757
82.html

Surf Safely
Journal of Accountancy (04/07) Vol. 203 , No. 4 , P. 62 ; Leon, James F.

The Internet is full of potential hazards and pitfalls, including Web sites capable of launching a malicious program that steals or erases data on the user's computer within seconds. These types of Web sites are usually set up by criminal hackers who use a technique known as cross-site scripting to embed the script, which is sometimes too sophisticated to be detected by anti-spyware programs. To ensure complete protection, users have to prevent their browsers from running all scripts--a task that is easily accomplished. Users can disable scripts by clicking progressively through the following options in Windows: Tools, Internet Options, Security, Select a Zone to View or Change Security Settings, Internet, Security Level for This Zone, and Custom Level. Once they reach Security Settings--Internet Zone, they should scroll to Active X Controls and Plug-Ins and disable the 10 options there before scrolling down again and disabling the five options under Scripting and clicking OK. Users must keep in mind that disabling script means that they will lose some functionality on certain Web pages, but going to the Security tab under Internet Options will enable them to list often-visited Web pages as Trusted Sites. They should also be concerned about cookies that track their activities on certain Web sites because they might retain credit-card and other personal financial information. Users can progressively click through Tools, Internet Options, General, Browsing History, Settings, Current Location, View Files, and Name to delete certain cookies; or they can move through Tools, Internet Options, Privacy, Advanced, and Override Automatic Cookie Handling to block both first-party and third-party cookies, selecting Always Allow Session Cookies so that Web sites requiring temporary cookies remain accessible.
http://www.cpa2biz.com/News/Journal+of+Accountancy/default.htm