Your Business in Your Pocket - The Mobile Revolution

Everywhere a small business owner turns these days, there is always some talk about the cloud, mobile apps, and how it can improve their operations. From email systems to document management to accounting, the cloud seems to be the great equalizer allowing small firms and entrepreneurs compete with their large counterparts. But, is all this talk just a fad or trend and can it really make a difference to small business owner?

Well the cloud has been around for quite some time (even though much of what small biz owners read says otherwise) and really if you have not embraced the cloud in your small business, you could be operating at a considerable disadvantage. Most cloud offerings allow the small business owner anytime access to critical information they need to run their businesses. The cloud also is more stable and secure than trying to deploy software or save/backup information internally (I know many will disagree, but it is harder to break into a data center than your internal servers). Bottom line is if you want to stay competitive and be abreast with your peers, a venture into the cloud must be in your future.

But what is you want to stay ahead and not abreast of your peers?

If you want to be on the cutting edge then let me put the bug in your ear now about the next big trend…you ready!

It’s mobile, yes mobile.

With the introduction of smart phones, the mobile revolution is upon us and the time to get in is now (please join me it’s kinda lonely). Imagine a world where you can take a snapshot of a document with your smart phone and immediately upload it into your database, or accounting software and your team has immediate access to the information. Would that save time and money for your small business?

In the coming days we will post a few videos on the new mobile revolution and how you can embrace it now. When a small business couples mobile technology with the cloud, efficiency gains above and beyond their current processes can be realized, and you can save a little time and money.

Mobile App Woes and Social Media

I love to use social media and mobile apps as much as the next guy, but recently I have been having some issues with many of the app updates on some of my mobile devices. One recent update that has me rather concerned is the Google+ (or Google Plus is you say it that way) for iOS devices. Google's apps typically work very well on iOS devices, but for me (and many people leaving review on iTunes) the new Google+ is causing a headache.

Check out my Google+ woes here: The Tech Accountant

Let Technology Wear Some of Your Hats

Small business owners and entrepreneurs all know that starting and operating your own business is a rewarding but tough experience. Typically when a small business is in the start-up or growth stage, the owners will attempt to wear all the hats from being the sales manager to the bookkeeper. Although this will give a small business owner a wealth of experience in operations and processes, could their time be better spent doing what they do best?

Many small business owners want to know how they can break away from doing the back office functions and most times the solution is to hire someone to do the work or outsource. Sometimes when this solution is implemented, the costs are more than the benefit and the small business owner is back at square one.

The new way to get operational tasks done is to use technology in conjunction with and employee or contractor. This way a small business owner can continue to the be the backbone of the economy and cut their operational and overhead costs considerably.

Let's take marketing and public relations for example. In the past small business owners could not compete with their larger counterparts due to the high cost of websites, customer relationship management and public relations companies, tv, and radio, etc. Nowadays a small business owner can build their own website (or outsource) with WordPress, use social media sites and apps like Facebook and Twitter for public relations and CRM, broadcast themselves on YouTube, and podcasts, and get paid instantly with PayPal, Google Checkout and others.

These are just a few ways technology can help a small business owner cut costs and focus on what they do best. Feel free to post your ideas too.

The Tech Accountant

3 Cool Apps for Small Biz's

The web and social media are definitely changing the way we do business and it would appear that the government does not want to be left behind. First the IRS introduced their informational videos for small biz owners and the self employed, then followed suit with a Facebook page (also a FB page for tax professionals). Now the IRS and other governmental agencies continue to throw their hats into the social media scene, with some rather neat apps lately.


The IRS, U.S. Department of Labor and the Small Business Administration all have introduced smart phone apps that allow small biz owners, and their employees access to governmental services while on the go. Here's is a quick video about their new apps.



Do you think that the new apps will provide small biz owners and taxpayers with faster more efficient access to governmental resources? Feel free to let us know your thoughts.

The Tech Accountant

DOL Timesheet App for iPhone

Travelers RMplusonline

Good ole Uncle Sam is at it again.

There's a new app for the iPhone that many small biz owners may not be to thrilled about. The DOL has recently released an iPhone app that will allow hourly employees to track their own hours to ensure that they are paid the correct amount. This may open up a can of worms for many small biz owners who may not have accurate employment records and may also increase the amount of fraudulent wage compliants filed with the DOL.

Take a look at the article and let me know your thoughts about this new app. Also if you have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad be sure to download the app and try it out for yourself and let us know what you think of it.

The Tech Accountant

15 Tech Factors to Watch For

Small biz owners and consumers both will like this quick (about 7mins or so) video that provides 15 tech factors to watch for and a look into the future of the internet and how we all will use it. Much of the video confirms the information that I heard recently at a social media seminar regarding the growth of social networks and how consumers use the internet.

Watch the video here

What does this mean for a small biz owner? Technology will be an important and integral part of your marketing, operational, and long term strategy. Small biz's will look more to social networks for customers and clients, using cloud services can keep the small biz owner connected and by embracing technology your small biz will be better positioned for growth.

So what do you think small biz owner's? Are you currently using technology (social media, smart phones, cloud computing) in your small business?

Look forward to hearing from you.

The Tech Accountant

Is snow clouding your biz? Here are 3 ways to bring back the sunshine

Snow storms that bring icy roads are a sure fire way to stop many businesses from operating, but for some businesses a snow storm should not be a problem. As many of you already know there has been quite a few snow storms moving across the nation (Florida was the only state not to have snow this week) lately and the one that hit the southeast has brought many cites to a halt. Technology can help many small businesses continue operations even in the event of inclement weather. Here are three technologies that can keep your small business operating when Mother Nature throws snow balls at your operations:

1. Web Conferencing – You have your presentation all ready for the big meeting tomorrow but when you wake up ready for work you find out the city is shut down due to a blizzard. No worries. By using a web conferencing service your meeting can continue as planned. Web conferencing allows users to conduct live meetings, presentations, and training via the internet. So if you are stuck at home find a nice quite place (away from the kids) and conduct your meeting just like you were face-to-face

2. Web Portals – You have the contracts all typed up and are ready to deliver them to the client but there is one problem, the roads are icy and you can’t make it to the client’s location. Not a problem if you are using a web portal. Web portals allow you to share documents with virtually anyone anywhere as long as they have access to the internet. The client can login to the secure portal (just like online banking) and access the document, review and send back to you. The contract is in the client’s hands possibly faster than you delivering it.

3. Remote Desktop Sharing – You have been snowed in your home for the past few days and have not been able to make it to your client’s location. The client is having a problem with their software and they need you there to resolve the issue. With a remote desktop sharing, you can access your client’s computer and walk them through the solution to their problem or even resolve the problem yourself. The client is happy that they can continue business as usual and you look like a hero without even leaving your home.

These are just a few ways a small business owner can use technology to continue their business operations when dealing with mother-nature. We currently use all of these technologies are more in our firm even when there is not a snow storm. Be sure to research these solutions for your small business so that you can apply them in the future.

The Tech Accountant



The New Smart Vault

Cloud vendor SmartVault has come out with some great new features in their update release that are sure to be on the holiday list for small biz owners. Be sure to view the video below to see the new features in action.



I will be testing the new feature this week (since this will be a slow week) and will be sure to post some feedback regarding them. I will say that I am glad to see the product expanding more into other markets and not just the QuickBooks market. Smart....very SmartVault.

The Tech Accountant

Another Cool Cloud Offering

Small business owners (SBO’s) that are out in the field or away from the office a lot will love the new offering from online fax vendor MyFax. For those SBO’s that use iPhone smartphones (and there are quite a few according to this webinar), MyFax has released an iPhone app that allows users to open view or preview mission critical faxes while away from the office.


To hear more about the app from MyFax provider Protus and get more details, be sure to check out the following link.

Additionally I was pretty shocked at the number of Blackberry, iPhone, and Android users in the webinar. Appears Android and iPhone users are on the rise while Blackberry continues to loose market share. So I decided to take a poll and see what kind of numbers are out in the small business world.

Feel free to take the poll to the left and let me know which smart phone you use.

The Tech Accountant

Five Trends Killing Horizontal Accounting Software

Blogger Austin Merrit of Accounting Software Advice had a recent post that discussed the 5 trends that are killing horizontal accounting software . Merrit states the 5 trends are:
1. Decision makers require more than a standalone system

2. Businesses want systems that fit their unique needs

3. SaaS emergence

4. Mobile Access and Social Media Integration with the enterprise

5. Software vendors fueling the switch

I would agree with Merrit that horizontal accounting software is quickly becoming obsolete and feel that the continued development of vertical software “flavors” are the driving force behind the switch. Software designed for small business (those that gross between $1 million to $5 million in revenue annually) currently on the market can be considered “vertical” once additional modules or “add-ons” are integrated with the existing software. If you take the major accounting software vendors (Intuit, Sage, Microsoft) each has what they consider a “middle” market product that can integrate customer management, financial management, operations management and employee/HR management. These systems are also currently providing advanced reporting, deeper sales and inventory management, customizable dashboards, collaborative workflow management and online training that further push their existing software into the vertical market.

The path to vertical accounting solutions for existing software vendors can be traveled down to major routes. One is to allow 3rd party vendors to develop add-on vertical products to use in conjunction with an existing horizontal software package. An example would be Intuit’s Marketplace and Worplace App Center. The Marketplace allows small business owners with horizontal accounting software the ability to add industry specific solutions that can be implemented via the desktop or the web. The Workplace App Center provides small businesses with software programs that can be loaded on the computer or smart phone to help save time.

The second route is to create an industry specific accounting software product that integrates other small businesses back office functions. Sage currently offers vertical software designed for the construction, real estate, and non-profit sectors. These software titles give small businesses the ability to focus on industry specific business management issues, operate their business in real time, and have all their back office functions in one package.

Small businesses using existing accounting software and third part add-ons are also pushing the industry to provide more vertical solutions to their business specific issues. The question is however; are these small businesses utilizing their existing software to its full potential. I personally have rarely seen a small business outgrown one of the higher level horizontal accounting solutions (QuickBooks Enterprise, Sage Quantum, and Microsoft Dynamics GP) when they are using all of the software’s features/modules/add-ons. A major problem is that many small businesses don’t take the time to learn how to use all the features in their accounting software. The key is that small business decision makers must prioritize their needs when considering an accounting software package. By focusing on the software’s features, implementation, technology, the vendor’s reputation in their vertical market and the small business’ budget a small business can turn their horizontal accounting software into a vertical accounting powerhouse.

The Tech Accountant

PowerPoint on Smartphone

After being in a conference all weekend (that was wonderful) to add another dimension to my business I wanted to find a way to make business presentations with Microsoft Powerpoint from my iPhone. After doing a bit of searching (and reading some bad reviews for iPhone apps at the ITunes store), I came across a site by Chris Pirillo that walked me through how to do it and more. Be sure to read the article and watch the video below. Enjoy


Chris | Live Tech Support | Video Help | Add to iTunes

The Tech Accountant

The Return

It is the day after Christmas and so begins’ the start of the great return season. In this case the word return can take on quite a few different meanings. For some it will mean returning back to work to help those still on vacation. For the vacationers, it will mean going to the store and returning some of those unwanted gifts that were given and to some others it will mean returning to the shopping centers to look for bargains on items that are reduced for a quick sale.

For me, the return means a chance to get back to work, although by using technology, I am always one click away from accessing the tools I need to get tasks completed. The iPhone has been a great addition to many small business owners’ technology tools arsenal. While surfing the net yesterday, I came across this fun article of some of the best iPhone apps for 2009. The majority of theses apps are more for personal use however there are a few that can make one’s life a bit less confusing. Enjoy.

B. N. S.

igot Business Apps

So the iPhone is quickly becoming a viable business technology tool and many small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals are beginning to see the many great uses for the smart phone versus the Blackberry. I recently came across an article on PCMag.com that outlines some of the best business apps for the iPhone and a brief description of each app. Some of the apps I have tried and some I am in the process of downloading. I was a bit surprised to see the AT&T virtual receptionist app and was curious why the carrier did not advertise this app a little more when one purchases the iPhone. Oh well. Enjoy reading the article and feel free to comment or post some of your favorite iPhone apps.

B. N. S.

Balance Coverage

Recently I have posted a great deal about the versatility of the iPhone and how it can make running a small business easier. Well I came across this new article on the LinkedIn iPhone users group that states that the main feature of the iPhone (the phone) is flawed. I do find it odd that the article is from Cnet UK and not the states. I would greatly like to hear from some of you out there in blog land with iPhones that are having “phone” problems. There have also been some discussions on the LinkedIn group that many have been having problems with dropped calls on their phones. Check out the article and see if you can relate. Personally no problems here (knocking on wood).

B. N. S.

Get more miles out this app

Small business owners that use an iPhone and are looking for a more tech savvy way to keep track of their mileage may get a kick out of this new app. Tap2Track by Intuit was recently updated on Nov. 5th and can calculate your mileage from starting point to destination using GPS. Once the trip is complete, the app will also e-mail you a copy of the mileage details for your IRS records. Pretty cool huh?

When the app was recently introduced on one of the accounting discussion lists that I belong to, there was a great deal of skepticism from some of the “tech challenged” members citing various IRS rules and Tax Court decisions regarding the use of technology to maintain mileage records. The IRS typically requests that taxpayers maintain a written mileage log for trips and Tap2Track is not written. I personally think that the app will pass the IRS’s test since technology is the way of the future. Just recently the Congress requested that tax preparers who file more than 10 returns must file those returns electronically, so I think small business owners will have no problem using this app for their mileage tracking.

B. N. S.

A new tech toy

As many know, I am always looking for technology that can help small business owners and individuals work smarter and not harder and this weekend I came across another remote access tool that may prove to be a jewel for some. The software is called Laplink and it allows secure remote access to your PC’s from anywhere with an internet connection. Another great feature of the software is that the software can be used with any device including smartphones (you know I love that), laptops, and even gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii). Be sure to stop by the Laplink website and check out the screenshots and the interactive tour. Although Laplink does not advertise like the other remote access programs (Gotomypc and Logmein), it may be a viable competitor to the others.

B. N. S.

Tech Tools Keeping You Productive

Earlier this week I was speaking to a friend of mine assisting him with getting his small business off the ground and he mentioned that he had recently purchased a merchant account for his business. He will be using the merchant account to sell his motivational CD’s and other products but his problem was how he could sell his products while away from his office at seminars and conventions. That got me thinking if there was a way to use a smart phone as a credit card terminal. I have yet to find a way this can be done with a Blackberry phone, but did come across a couple of iPhone apps that will allow users to use their phone as a merchant terminal. The three that were at the top of the list are:

• Credit Card Terminal by Inner Fence, LLC
• iSwipe Pro Credit Card Terminal by AppNinjas, LLC
• Billing: Credit Card Terminal by Spartadata

As with any iPhone app (or any app for that matter) be sure to read all the fine print and maybe some of the reviews regarding any hidden fees that are not initially mentioned. I found the apps to be a great addition to any small business owner’s productivity toolkit because you can accept credit cards virtually anywhere from any customer, and this can improve your cash flow and allow you to operate your business at a higher level.

As for my friend we are still searching for a Blackberry app that will allow users to do the same. If anyone has any ideas feel free to post them.

B. N. S.