March 2010: Chuck Johnston - Accounting in the Tech Age: Understanding Emerging Technology

Speaker Highlights

March 24, 2010

 

Accounting in the Tech Age: Understanding emerging technologies

Presented by

Chuck Johnston

 

 Factors in Technology

o   Security

o   Ease of use

Cloud Computing

o   Internet-based computing whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand, like a public utility.

o   Providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers.

o   Big name adopters include

      - Microsoft Azure

      - Intuit Marketplace an app store where applications are verified through Intuit and sold online

      - Google Apps has multiple cloud applications like Mail, Contacts, and Calendar

o   Important definitions:

      - Software as a Service (SaaS) is a model of software deployment over the internet. With SaaS, a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand, either through a time subscription or a “pay-as-you-go” model. 

      - Platform as a Service (PaaS) deliver a computing platform and/or solution stack as a service, often consuming cloud infrastructure and sustaining cloud applications. It facilitates deployment of applications without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers

o   Three types of could computing

      - Community cloud: Computers share to lower cost

      - Hybrid cloud: Companies leverage some cloud services      

      - Private cloud: Could computing without the benefits

o   Advantages: Affordable, easily accessible, software updates, and unlimited storage

o   Disadvantages: Privacy concerns, dependent on internet connection, terms of service, and loss of control

      - Only way to truly be compliant with SOX is to stick with a community or hybrid model.

Phones as tools

o   The name of the game for the future is data accessibility. Anywhere/everywhere you go the data will be there.

o   Geolocation will change how people keep track of expenses and also keep tabs on employees.

Social Media / New Trends

o   Social Networking: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Buzz

o   Geolocation is evolving rapidly and is the future of Enterprise apps

Security

o   Exploitable flaws

-          Software: Browsers, Pop-ups, Malicious Code, Advertisements, and Zero Day flaw

-          Passwords: Phishing Scams, Easy passwords – admin/admin, Out in open

o   How to stay safe

      - Update ALL software – never click ignore updates

      - Make a password so hard you barely remember it. Then remember it.

      - When in doubt, do not click.

      - Keep a good virus software running. 

 

For more information Contact:

Chuck Johnston

Marketing Manager

SeeYourImpact.org