Taking the Lead in Technology
Source: Accounting Today
In this article, Gary Boomer challenges the accounting profession to take the lead in regard to beneficial technology, rather than consistently lagging behind each trend. Boomer believes that firm leaders need to watch for and anticipate worthwhile technology developments.
Boomer compares the current IT situation to the transformation that took place with electricity in the 20th century. He explains how Thomas Edison's business manager, Samuel Insall, played a significant role in centralizing power plants and developing electricity as a business. Insall convinced individual businesses that it would be more beneficial for them to stop producing their own power and to purchase it from a centralized location – a major change in thought and practice at the time.
Similarly, Internet and computing companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google are moving from the individualized model of software service to software-as-a-service and centralized data centers to serve their customers. Just as these companies have had to continually adjust their service models to stay current, Boomer recommends that accounting firms adjust their use of technology and take advantage of these new centralized computing developments to stay current and remain relevant to customers' needs.
According to Boomer, as firms transition to new ways of computing they can learn from the electricity transition and should be prepared for the following:
- Some push-back can be expected from those hesitant to accept change
- Transition can be a lengthy process
- Teamwork among all leaders involved is critical
- A new computing model will come with new pricing
- Advertising and marketing will play a key role in transition success
- Managing through transition can be difficult
- Leadership will be needed
For the complete article, read “Boomer's Blueprint: The parallels between electricity and computing.”
From Accounting Today, May 1, 2012, SourceMedia Inc., One State Street Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10004, 800-221-1809.