I tried using a new feature I recently came across on Twitter - TweetBeep. It is rather like Google Alerts, providing a list of recent Tweets on a subject matter of your choice. I had a go with the term "SaaS" and was surprised at the number of results it returned.
What didn't surprise me, however, was that the vast majority of them originated from the USA, where the concept of Cloud Computing has been accepted into the mainstream far more than here. Continuing the usual trend where IT matters are concerned - so maybe the UK will follow our US counterparts eventually.
Will Cloud Computing or SaaS ever replace standard corporate networks - probably not. However the advantages of anytime/anywhere access are just too great to be ignored. In a recent Blog, Dennis Howlett commented on the Touring Test being a good definition of a true SaaS product. The Test, as defined by John Paterson, defined a true SaaS product thus:
"Next time you are on holiday, walk into the hotel lobby and log on to your application using whatever machine and browser they have. If you can access all the data and all the functionality in your SaaS application immediately, without having to download any extra software, it’s a true SaaS product."
Dennis was somewhat critical of this definition - and perhaps it is an over simplification. But surely the point is well made. The essence of Cloud Computing is its ease of access without having to be concerned about network restrictions and firewalls etc.
Many of my clients appreciate this and virtually every new assignment I take on accepts and appreciates the advantages of our Internet based accounting systems.
Cloud Computing is a growing trend in the UK. Whether it will ever reach mainstream acceptance with UK accountants is anyone's guess. It certainly will amongst clients and those accountants who are ready to adapt and try new ideas will benefit.
Showing posts with label Cloud computing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloud computing. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Dynamo or Dinosaur
The wonderful benefits of the Web, and by definition, Cloud Computing, is the availability of documents, saved pages, bookmarks etc, irrespective of where you happen to be at any time.It is easy to get access to an Internet connection, whether it is in the office, your favourite coffee bar or on your mobile phone, so it is possible to stay connected almost on a permanent basis.
This has obvious advantages for those who travel a lot as well as the increasing numbers of home workers. The opportunity to share files with co-workers and colleagues is - in a word - awesome.
Most people who are comfortable with the Internet would probably agree - the facts speak for themselves. Apple Iphone is shortly to reach the 1 billion mark for applications downloaded from its application store - many of these games, for sure, but an increasing number have everyday practical application. So much so that the Iphone is a contender for the principal business phone, going head to head with the ubiquitous Blackberry.
And yet, lagging behind, firmly stuck in the 19th century, is the accounting profession who'se collective attitude to SaaS (I know the acronym doesn't help)is, "what I've got works so I am not interested in anything new".
The number of internet based accounting providers is increasing, as are the number of users. But I wonder how many accounting practices have adopted SaaS as their principal resource.
It would be interesting to know.
This has obvious advantages for those who travel a lot as well as the increasing numbers of home workers. The opportunity to share files with co-workers and colleagues is - in a word - awesome.
Most people who are comfortable with the Internet would probably agree - the facts speak for themselves. Apple Iphone is shortly to reach the 1 billion mark for applications downloaded from its application store - many of these games, for sure, but an increasing number have everyday practical application. So much so that the Iphone is a contender for the principal business phone, going head to head with the ubiquitous Blackberry.
And yet, lagging behind, firmly stuck in the 19th century, is the accounting profession who'se collective attitude to SaaS (I know the acronym doesn't help)is, "what I've got works so I am not interested in anything new".
The number of internet based accounting providers is increasing, as are the number of users. But I wonder how many accounting practices have adopted SaaS as their principal resource.
It would be interesting to know.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Saas - is termonology slowing takeup?
Software as a Service (Saas), Cloud Computing, On premises software - all in vogue terms sounding very IT savvy. But does the average accountant understand to what they refer - or does he/she even want to bother.
The trouble with jargon speak is, that whilst it acts as a useful shorthand to those in the know, it also puts up a barrier to the wider community who might benefit from understanding what is, in fact, being offered.
It might be an idea for the industry to revert to plain English - Software as a Service versus Internet based Accounting. I know what I understand and perhaps the accounting industry who are not known for their innovative behaviour, might adopt the concept more readily.
Lets hasten the end of the TLA (”three letter acronym”!)
The trouble with jargon speak is, that whilst it acts as a useful shorthand to those in the know, it also puts up a barrier to the wider community who might benefit from understanding what is, in fact, being offered.
It might be an idea for the industry to revert to plain English - Software as a Service versus Internet based Accounting. I know what I understand and perhaps the accounting industry who are not known for their innovative behaviour, might adopt the concept more readily.
Lets hasten the end of the TLA (”three letter acronym”!)
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Cloud Computing - what a great concept
I have a PC in the office, a laptop at home and an Acer notebook (which I love). Not to mention my Iphone which will have to be surgically removed from me if I were ever to get knocked down by the proverbial bus (which is more likely as I am constantly looking at one or other of the above!).
So to be able to access my various files or documents, irrespective of what piece of hardware I am using at any particular moment is a Godsend. I use programmes such as Dropbox and Evernote - there are now so many we are spoilt by choice.
It is funny how things have come virtually (excuse the pun!) full circle - dumb terminals being linked to a CPU in the depths of the office - to the stand alone PC - networks - and back to notebooks with limited hard drives but the ability to connect to that great cpu in the cloud!
So to be able to access my various files or documents, irrespective of what piece of hardware I am using at any particular moment is a Godsend. I use programmes such as Dropbox and Evernote - there are now so many we are spoilt by choice.
It is funny how things have come virtually (excuse the pun!) full circle - dumb terminals being linked to a CPU in the depths of the office - to the stand alone PC - networks - and back to notebooks with limited hard drives but the ability to connect to that great cpu in the cloud!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)