Computing in the Cloud Carol Yacht, Author McGraw Hill carol@carolyacht.com www.mhhe.com/yacht
Agenda 1. Cloud computing defined 2. Desktop software or software as a service 3. SaaS: pros and cons 4. Software comparisons: desktop and online 5. QuickBooks Online demonstration o http://qbo.intuit.com/redir/trynow?bc=qoe TYN 6. Curriculum & Assessment 7. Q/A 2
The New Yorker, November 21, 2011, Mick Stevens, p. 83 3
What is cloud computing? GAL: Global Address List 4
Cloud computing defined The cloud defined Cloud computing is a simple concept: applications are run from a shared data center rather than on a company s network. Users log on and use. No upgrades or technical staff are needed because the cloud manages it all. Who uses the cloud? Google, Bing, Yahoo, Wikipedia, etc. Social networking sites Online banking, account services (utilities, credit cards, etc.) Software downloads: MS Office, Peachtree, QuickBooks, Simply Accounting, etc. Online backup Webinars Online textbooks: ipad, ereaders and smart phones 5
How is the ipad being used? 75% accessing the web 63% email 38% reading books and magazines o 51% who have read magazines in print and in interactive e format on the ipad say they prefer it on the ipad vs. 23% who prefer a magazine in print. 29% researching products and services 13% for work Digital textbooks video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr076c_ty_m&feature=youtu.be pr076c ty Adobe Digital Publishing http://www.adobe.com/products/digital publishing suite family.html?promoid=itxqq ABEA, 4 14 12, carol@carolyacht.com 6
Why cloud computing? Cost optimization Business Efficiencies Reaping economies of scale including virtualization Focus on core competencies Transfer of Responsibilities To cloud service provider Just in time Provisioning Pay only when you need it 7
Desktop software or cloud With the increasing popularity of web apps, businesses are turning to online solutions for their business needs because it allows quick and easy access no matter where you are. The days of being tied down to the office to complete work are over as cloud computing and online platforms become a reality in daily business life. While once computing largely occurred in one office, the scattered workforce has created demand for mobile computing.the ability to access records easily in remote locations with little or no advanced setup. The popular term for shared computing is either cloud or software as a service (SaaS). The terms refer to varying degrees of off site computer use that range from a single computer maintained for a single company to one computer where many hundreds or thousands of companies can share the same computing power. 8
SaaS: Pros and Cons Pros Eliminate significant headaches associated with connecting remote offices and users. (i.e., classroom networks; IT dept.) The hardware costs are typically very low because SaaS applications are accessed through an Internet browser which does not require special hardware or memory. Upgrades are automatic and without the need for additional staff. This reduces expensive service interruptions associated with software upgrades. Cons Internet outage that affects the entire company which disrupts accounting software use. The perception that an interruption in the Internet communication stream could bring down a company s operations has been a powerful motivator to move cautiously. Security concerns when data is stored offsite and away from the protection of a company's own storage facility. The ability of hackers to access data stored on remote servers or fear that a service provider could lose a company's accounting data. 9
The New Yorker, October 24, 2011, Emily Flake 10
Cloud computing in the news Businesses turning to security in cloud, AZ Republic, 12/21/2011 Business owners beware. Security breaches in your technology systems are more likely to come from inside your organization than from outside attacks. Security experts have long agreed that whether purposefully orunwittingly unwittingly, actionsfrom people inside an organization can pose the bigger security threat. Most companies just want to flip the switch on like an appliance. Cloud computing removes much of the complexity a business sees in maintaining a computer network. 11
Cloud based accounting Small business advantages Data access as needed: anywhere/anytime with secure connections Fees are usually monthly subscriptions Cost is less than desktop software Track time and expenses online Track customers View entire financial picture of company from anywhere SaaS Apps QuickBooks Online NetSuite Microsoft Dynamics SAP Peachtree Simply Accounting 12
QuickBooks Online: 30 days free or monthly subscription http://quickbooksonline.intuit.com/bookkeeping accounting systems/ 13
http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting software/quickbooks comparison chart.jsp 14
QB Online Desktop QB Online fictional company at http://qbo.intuit.com/redir/trynow?bc=qoe TYN QB Online Plus, FREE for 30 days: http://quickbooksonline.intuit.com 15
Features Peachtree QuickBooks Modules Customers Navigation Bar Centers Vendors Employees Banking LIFO, FIFO, Average Average inventory costing Inventory inventory costing Periods and Closing Journals Select period/fiscal year for accounting; automatic closing GL: General Journal A/P: Purchase Journal and Cash Disbursements Journal A/R: Sales Journal and Cash Receipts Journal Inventory: Cost of Goods Sold Journal Payroll: Payroll Journal One period or list for all entries; change year Transaction Journal General Ledger/Sub. Ledg./ Financial Statements YES YES Audit Trail Audit Trail Report Audit Trail Report Find Transaction Report NO 16
Cloud in the classroom Software Registration and Downloads Intuit QuickBooks Online: Internet delivered http://quickbooksonline.intuit.com/ Sage Peachtree 2012 registration: www.peachtree.com/student/regi Sage Simply Accounting: both download and registration http://www.simplyaccounting.com/partners/educationalpartnerprogram/students Intuit QuickBooks desktop: register within 30 days Barbara Renner writes I m teaching four classes at Phoenix College. One is online using Blackboard and the publisher s website. The keyboarding class is through McGraw Hill and is all online. The beginning computer class has two books that were created just for Phoenix College students. The application section uses information that is downloaded fromthe Internet. Almostevery class nowadays is using some type of Internet or cloud technology. 17
Learning Styles: What is VARK? V: Visual A: Aural R: Read/Write* K: Kinesthetic Multimodal http://www.vark learn.com/english/index.asp *R: Read/Write/Type: Verbal and nonverbal intelligence changes in the teenage brain associated with motor movements of the hand, www.nature.com, Oct. 19, 2011.
Where does accounting software fit in the curriculum?? Homework with GL/Peachtree homework QuickBooks homework College Accounting Principles of Accounting 1 and 2 Financial/Managerial Accounting Peachtree/QuickBooks MS Dynamics GP homework Computer Accounting Intermediate Accounting One or more software applications Peachtree QuickBooks MS Dynamics GP Accounting Information Systems 19
Publisher Resources Homework systems/course management tools: o McGraw Hill Connect o Wiley Plus o CengageNOW o Pearson MYAcountingLab Online Learning Center: www.mhhe.com/yacht2011 h o DEMO: Feature quizzes, flash video, assessment rubrics Create textbooks: http://create.mcgraw hill.com p// Free and Open textbooks: Flat World Knowledge http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/ ABEA, 4 14 12, carol@carolyacht.com 20
Some history from Microsoft 21
Q&A 22