Get More From Your ERP, CRM, Tax and Client Portal Systems Kevin M. Martin, CPA, CITP, MCSE Martin & Assoc. September 17 th, 2014 www.martinandassoc.com - The Applications We See The Most ERP Office Applications CRM Software Data Access Tax and Audit Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 1
In 1983 PC s Productivity Potential Were Accelerate Business Innovation Facilitate delivery of more personalized, content-aware services Improve employee productivity Optimize the total cost of technology The same purpose, hope and reasons for using technology exists today (as it did when I graduated from college) Computer Growth in Decades 1970 s Service Bureaus and Mainframes 1980 s PC introduced Spreadsheets 1990 s PC based ERP and Tax Prep Software 2000 s Early Business Internet 2010 s Mobile and Cloud Computing (with all we have to choose from you have to decide where your comfort zone is) Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 2
Gaining Productivity - Agenda Know Your Cloud Definitions The Role Virtuals Play Remote Support and Control Your PC Staying Connected Q&A Everybody Markets Cloud Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 3
Know Your Cloud Definitions (Cloud Flavors) IaaS Infrastructure as a Service Provides data center for infrastructure, hardware and software resources Amazon s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), IBM VMWare PaaS Platform as a Service Provides software platforms for ISV to build on without having to buy servers Force.com, Google s app Engine, Microsoft Azure SaaS Software as a Service Vendors make software available over the internet NetSuite, Salesforce.com, Google Gmail, SPC Commerce (EDI) Cloud Computing Taxonomy You manage On Premise IaaS PaaS Applications Data Runtime Middleware O/S Virtualization Servers Storage Networking You manage Applications Data Runtime Middleware O/S Virtualization Servers Storage Networking You manage Managed by vendor Applications Data Runtime Middleware O/S Virtualization Servers Storage Networking Managed by vendor SaaS Applications Data Runtime Middleware O/S Virtualization Servers Storage Networking Managed by vendor Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 4
Feel Comfortable With Cloud Risks Data Ownership both how to get it back, and who is the steward Performance SLAs and guarantees Data Security hackers and physical Multi-tenant and governance AICPA SSAE 16 (SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports) Availability of Vendor (can you reach a voice) Virtuals Incremental Low Cost Option Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 5
Virtuals The Simple Impact To Us You purchase one or two high end servers and put 64GB or 128GBs of RAM on it. You duplicate/redundant the new big server above You can run virtual servers inside these can be remote desktops or terminal servers You need to review with your IT Department or Provider your strategy and options Remote Support and Control Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 6
Remote Solutions Webex, GoToMeeting, MyPC designed mostly around cross sharing desktops Remote Desktop and Bomgar have the service running, and you connect Buy it or pay monthly 1 st group above is monthly/yearly. 2 nd group is purchase, and pay smaller yearly maint. fee Just What is a Personal Computer Now? Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 7
Tablets and Ultra Books Feature Android ipad Air Mac Air Surface Pro 3 Price $649 - $849 (cell) $499 - $929 $899 1,099 $799 - $1999 Storage (Gigs) 32, 64 GB 16,32,64, 128 GB 128, 256GB 64, 128, 256, 512 GB Battery Life 13 hours 10 hours 9 hours 9 hours Dimensions 11.64 x8.03.x313 9.4 x6.6 x.029.68 x11.8 x7.56 11.5 x7.93.36 USB Port Yes No Yes Yes Display 12.2 9.7 Retina 11.6 12 Resolution 2560 x 1600 2048 x 1536 1366 x 768 2160 x 1440 Camera 2MP and 8M 1.2 and 5MP) 720p 5 MP front/back Size Note 10 tablets avail. ipad Mini is 7 13.3 avail One Size Phablet 6 Diagonal Screen and a LARGE feel in your hand(s) Cannot load software directly to it (like tax software or ERP) Depend on APPs (and the store) New Productivity Options Full Office features Can connect keyboards and monitors Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 8
My Desk Accessories Docking Station (2 nd for home) Dual Monitors (and home) High End Keyboard and Mouse Misc. USB and cables $800 largest component is Monitors My Travel Accessories What s in the Bag USB 3 Powered Monitor Blue Tooth Adaptor for Keyboard Microsoft Mobile Sculpt Monitor Bluetooth Mouse USB 3 Powered Hub Cables and extension cords $400 For trips consider a lapdesk Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 9
Stay Connected 4Devices You Can Connect To Routers/Access Point USB Modems MiFi Access Points Your Cell Phone (Assume you have Wi-Fi enabled device ready to connect) www.martinandassoc.com - Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 10
Routers / Access Point www.martinandassoc.com - Features And Functionality The Access Point (AP) is Wired to a Network cable/hub AP can be a firewall (good at hotels, not as good at clients) You run a subnet behind that firewall You can be more secure from other PCs in front of network AP can be an access point Split off existing network wire (need to carry an extra wire) You are on the same subnet as the network you are wired to Overall speed Very Good. You are running most likely at 10/100 Mps speed www.martinandassoc.com - Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 11
USB Modem Functionality USB plug and play Single connection to your laptop Faster (or fast enough) speed is dependent on the carrier (Edge/3G/4G, etc). You can pass the USB Modem from laptop to laptop or staff to staff when on the field Data Consumption now needs to be managed Overall speed will be an issue 4G is 10 to 50 times SLOWER then your access point, and 3G is 10 time slower then 4G MiFi Access Points Functionality Similar to USB Modems, plus Runs on battery for 4 to 5 hours Multiple Users can connect (many are up to 10 or 15 users) Monitor your data usages Overall speed can be an issue Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 12
Your Cell Phone Teather Need a cable or bluetooth Allows you to connect to one PC Turn Phone Into a Hot Spot Standard on most Smartphones now (I am about 99% certain) flip a switch Watch your data plan and speeds Understanding The Costs Data Usage Costs for Routers and Access Points You should have NO new incremental costs Plug AP into the wired network and enjoy its use Data Usage Costs for USB Modems, MiFi Access Points and Tethering Two approaches are common to data plans Single data plans Pooled data/minutes plans www.martinandassoc.com - Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 13
Single Data Plans - example $50 Per Month gets you 5Gb. What is 5GB in a month made up of? 3000 emails + 750 Web Page Views + 1 Hour of High Def Video + 300 photos uploaded Rate Calculators available online www.martinandassoc.com - Your Decision Points Desktop, Ultra or High End Tablet? After this choice you know what you need for accessories Remote Access ability to your work files how to Use Your Phone for a WiFispot when needed know how to, and have it secure Choose a size that you feel comfortable using Spend the $500 to $900 in accessories you should get 100 hours of more work from it per year. Test Web Browser based software for speed and is it acceptable? Have extra portable Access Points to use at clients when staff on site for large amount of time Consider portable scanners/printers Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 14
Resources for CPAs/AICPA members Safari Books Online Subscription at no additional cost if IMTA section member IMTA (Information Management and Technology Assurance) Section one of AICPAs special interests sections CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional) (a credentialed subset of the IMTA section) More on Safari What is Available Theory Database designs Project Management IT Risk and IT Assurance Technical and Product Excel, Word, etc ERP software Sage, Microsoft, SAP, etc Web Applications And more Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 15
Thank You Kevin Martin Martin & Assoc. www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com Question Answer Copyright www.martinandassoc.com Kevin.Martin@martinandassoc.com 16