Are IT Silos Damaging Your Productivity? Top Data Tips
BizHelp24 (11/01/07)

Mismanagement of business-related data can result in both productivity and profit loss, in addition to a breach of IT compliance laws. Users are increasingly relying on micro-silos to store data, via personal computers or email accounts, that circumvent standard information storage procedures. According to a FileMaker survey, 64 percent of respondents say their company participates in micro-siloing. Many claim managers have lower IT skills, a situation that worsens as their companies expand, while 33 percent of IT managers have no formal IT qualifications. Growth of IT free-styling also contributed to more employees engaging in micro-silo usage, increasing critical data at the disposal of single users. FileMaker recommends organizations to combat micro-silo habits by promoting shared usage of information and to acquire a better understanding of the ways in which employees utilize information. IT policies addressing data usage and abuse should be upheld, while databases might have to be restricted in some cases. Most importantly, data that should be shared and data for individual usage should be categorized accordingly, without compromising any policies governing data protection.
http://www.bizhelp24.com/news/nov-07-it-silo-productivity-203.php

SEC's Requiring XBRL to Help All Investors Learn Firms' ABCs
Investor's Business Daily (10/31/07) P. A5 ; Bonasia, J.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched its Office of Interactive Disclosure earlier in October to help analysts, investors, and others utilize "interactive" economic information. The SEC is gradually implementing a mandate that all publicly-traded firms file their financial documents employing eXtensible Business Markup Language (XBRL), a software language that "tags" economic data. The tags allow users to prepare, print, and study the financial results contained in corporate balance sheets, income statements, and cash-flow reports. The agency offers additional information at sec.gov.spotlight/xbrl.htm. SEC representatives and others claim stockholders will be able to utilize XBRL to rapidly gain information about businesses. The SEC has contracted with a nonprofit technical coalition to create an innovate information tag for every facet of accepted accounting protocols in the United States. Tag A, for insurance, might be just utilized for profits, while tag B would be for costs, and tag C for cash flow. Microsoft, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and the European Central Bank Supervisors have already enacted XBRL.
http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17&artn
um=3&issue=20071030

Access Your Windows PC Remotely--For Free
Small Business Computing (10/26/07) ; Moran, Joseph

Mobile workers can gain remote access to the computers they use most often at no cost, provided they are not bothered by a lengthy configuration process. They can set up the host computer that will be accessed remotely with the Remote Desktop tool in Windows XP Professional, Vista Ultimate, Vista Business, or Vista Enterprise. If they plan to use another computer they own to access the host computer, they should make the system accessible from a version of Remote Desktop that supports Network Level Authentication; if they do not own the client computer, they should make the system accessible from any version of Remote Desktop. They must use the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) utility on the client computer--which does not require a specific version of Windows XP or Vista--to access the host system. In regards to the firewall, the host computer should be configured to accept income port 3389 traffic and use a static instead of dynamic IP address. Once users input the network IP address through the RDC software, they will have unlimited keyboard and mouse access to the host computer. Mobile workers interested in simpler configurations and expanded remote access features might want to choose a subscription-based service.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/biztools/article.php/370750
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Moving Bytes
BusinessWeek SmallBiz (11/07) ; Armstrong, Larry

When transferring software and data from an old computer to a new one, small businesses can spend days manually installing the programs using the original disks or hundreds of dollars to hire a professional to handle the process. However, firms can take the do-it-yourself approach with the help of migration software, saving both time and money. Those using the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system can use Windows Easy Transfer, the free program included with Vista. A more user-friendly option that moves both software and data is Avanquest's Laplink PCmover. A USB cable included with the software facilitates data and programs transfer, and the company also offers a downloadable version that enables migration from writable disks, external hard drives, and local networks. Companies will pay $190 for five licenses, but they benefit from the migration lasting only a matter of hours.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_44/b4056429.htm

CPA Releases Add-Ins for Microsoft Word
SmartPros Accounting (10/22/07)

CPA Brad Smith has developed two new programs to abet Microsoft Word users in their quest for creating formulas. To redress the problem of counting cells in Word, Formula Builder for MS Word allows users to locate the cell address and provides a step-by-step process for developing the formula. While Excel performs automatic formula updates, Smith's tool copies the exact written formulas. The Financial Reporting Toolkit-Accounting Edition was designed specifically for CPAs and financial managers, Smith says, allowing them customized options for building financial data tables. The Accounting Edition version is an enhanced model of MS Word's Formula Builder, featuring tools such as Table Link that allows users to link data from any table in Word documents. Smith says that Word has "formula functionality, [but] the process is so cumbersome," and his products provide a solution to Word's shortcomings.
http://accounting.smartpros.com/x59542.xml

Buying Wireless Equipment
Processor (10/26/07) Vol. 29 , No. 43 , P. 12 ; Millard, Elizabeth

Small businesses interested in expanding their wireless networks should identify their goals before buying the most up-to-date technologies, as knowing how they plan to use wireless will help them choose products that best meet their needs. They should avoid consumer-based products that lack business-grade security tools and ensure that the wireless network is made available company-wide so that workers in uncovered areas of the office do not hinder security by adding their own access points to the network. Experts urge companies to purchase more access points and reduce their signal strength, keeping in mind that installing a small number of access points with signals at full strength provides an avenue for unauthorized users to access the network and slows down performance if too many workers are using one access point. To enhance interoperability and performance, companies should purchase products based on compatible wireless standards. As for security, experts recommend wireless intrusion detection and monitoring tools.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P
2943/22p43/22p43.asp&guid=

VoIP Demands Network Upgrades, Bandwidth
SearchSMB.com (10/25/07) ; Higbie, Carrie

Before small businesses can make the switch to VoIP phone systems, they must ensure their networks have enough bandwidth to handle both voice and data traffic. They should use autodiscovery tools to gauge the health of their networks, identifying Simple Network Management Protocol-enabled devices and port and bit errors, among other things. Next, firms need to ensure their routers and switch ports support voice, determine when bandwidth utilization peaks, and calculate the necessary amount of bandwidth for the VoIP upgrade. Firms also should determine whether it is cost-effective to have separate circuits and virtual local area networks for voice instead of upgrading the existing data network, as well as make sure new equipment is based on Session Initiation Protocol and is compatible with existing switches. When choosing a VoIP installer, they should check the vendor's references and inquire about similar-sized installations it has handled in the past.
http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid44_gci1278260,00.
html

Slicing and Dicing Data
Accounting Technology (10/07) Vol. 23 , No. 9 , P. 31 ; McClure, Dave

Accountants have access to numerous financial analysis software packages, and there are several functions to consider when selecting an application. The software should work with any general ledger, make comparisons to industry data, feature an Internet portal or intranet collaboration system to communicate reports, offer real-time report updates, and take the client's goals and budget into account when making recommendations. CCH's ProSystem fx Profit Driver is unique in that it provides an interactive strategic planning tool that allows accountants to input clients' financial objectives in regards to cash flow, debt, and working capital; detail the outcomes of numerous what-if scenarios; and offer step-by-step advice to help clients meet their goals. Another software package, Sage Accpac Insight Version 5.3B, creates a data warehouse using data from accounting systems, remote offices, and various company departments. Insight is equipped with eight modules, including Web Deployment Server to post financial reports on the Web or company intranet, Alerts for automated reporting, and Enterprise Budgeting to use numerous worksheets to develop extensive budget models. Other financial analysis software packages include Thomson Tax & Accounting's Financial Analyzer CS, CaseWare Scenarios 2006, Microsoft FRx Version 6.7, and Exact Business Analytics.
http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=25368&searchTerm=slic
ing%20and%20dicing