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Source: Journal of Accountancy
Technologies CPAs should consider now include:
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Using VoIP for telephone calls costs less and is more efficient. Information can be transmitted from a telephone to someone’s computer.
- Paperless offices. Paperless systems can be installed in small offices and in homes. The ease of storing, retrieving, and backing up documents offers big benefits.
- Video conferencing. These systems are now economical, easy to use, and cut down on staff travel.
- eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). This allows financial information to be exchanged among different systems over the Internet. CPAs should tell clients to use it.
- Storage area networks. CPA firms need these to gain enough storage capacity for their paperless systems and the large amount of files they produce.
- High-definition digital video disks and Blu-Ray disks. HD-DVDs hold more than three times as much data as DVDs. Blu-Ray disks hold even more.
- Wireless technology. Most problems with wireless systems have been eliminated . In addition, connections are much less expensive and faster, making staff more productive.
Future technologies include:
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Inventory and other material can be tagged, tracked, and monitored electronically. CPAs will need to understand this technology.
- Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). Ultra high-speed Internet connections use modems that are plugged in to any electrical outlet.
- Stratellites. These are high-altitude crafts that cover large areas (as large as Texas) and provide telephone, paging, and wireless broadband services. They are cheaper and better than satellites.
- Grid computing. Shared computer processing power and data storage, created by linking communities of computers in networks, will provide secure access and eliminate the need for servers. They will operate much like electric utilities.
System security. Key-like devices will replace passwords. Virus protection and anti-hacker systems will also be improved.
From: Journal of Accountancy, October 2005. For the complete article, click on the following link: http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/oct2005/whatsnext.htm#A. |
