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Tech2Go Episode 4 – E-Filing, Smartphones, Hosted Exchange, Word 2007, and Action Pack

May. 02, 2007

Tech2Go is a fast-paced roundtable discussion with Executive Editor Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, and regular columnists Brent Goodfellow, Dave McClure and Randy Johnston. These thought leaders tackle current technology issues impacting the tax and accounting profession. This month, the panel discusses E-Filing, Smartphones, Microsoft Hosted Exchange Server, Microsoft Word 2007, and the available Action Pack for Accountants from Microsoft. [Running time is 1:05:47]


Gregory L. LaFollette CPA.CITP

Brent Goodfellow CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT

Dave McClure

Randy Johnston

Tech2Go Show Notes
Episode 4 – April 2007
Recorded April 24, 2007

Introductions
Greg LaFollette, Host
Randy Johnston
Dave McClure
Brent Goodfellow

  • Hiccups with E-Filing
    • Intuit Lacerte users upset about E-Filing problems
      • Users commenting and questioning on Intuit message boards about problem
      • Intuit uses same infrastructure to support professionals and TurboTax users – who are they serving? Which group “pushed† the servers to a halt?
  • Smartphones
    • Problems with service providers
    • No way to upgrade operating system on a Smartphone
    • Must pick hardware based on your service provider
    • Brent’s Top 5 (or 4):
    • Other products to look at:
    • ActiveSync for Smartphones – Server setup
      • Fairly complex setup process
      • Need certificate – Verisign or Comodo – about $100 per year
  • Hosted Exchange
    • Hosted – You do not own any of the technology used, like leasing but with no equipment in your office. All that is required is an internet connection.
    • All you have to do is pick a domain name and choose required email accounts
    • Configure outlook email client to connect to the remote exchange server and download email and other files
    • Files and email can sync from anywhere you are connected to the internet, anywhere in the world
    • No locally installed software required for simple web access
    • Providers: MyHosting.com, AppRiver.com
  • Word 2007 – Microsoft Office 2007
    • File compatibility problems (.docx vs .doc)
    • Training people for using product – Microsoft has available help tools for switching from Office 2003
    • New table and art features, header/footer maintenance
    • Better reviewing tools, grouped together
    • Microsoft Office Specialist certification
    • Microsoft Action Pack
      • Official list of Action Pack contents
      • Windows Vista Business – roughly equivalent to the feature set of Windows XP Pro
      • No bitlocker encryption, as with Enterprise and Ultimate
      • Option to upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate for $139

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