TECHNOLOGY

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TECHNOLOGY

• Accounting
• Information Systems
• Software Trends

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• Whats
• in AIS
• Software

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Commercial Software
Database Packages
Excel
SQL
Java Script
HTML
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IN AIS
TECHNOLOGY
Big move to more hands-on database and
commercial applications
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IN AIS
TECHNOLOGY

• DATABASE SOFTWARE
• REAL Model
• Access package of choice

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COMMERCIAL PACKAGES
TECHNOLOGY

• GUI - Graphical User Interface (typically
  Windows)
• Browser interface
• Pull down menus
• Drill down feature
• Modularity - stand alone or integrate with
  general ledger

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COMMERCIAL PACKAGES
TECHNOLOGY

• Low end-- Peachtree, MYOB, Quick Books, Dac Easy
• Mid range--Great Plains, MAS 90, Solomon,
  Platinum
• High end--SAP, PeopleSoft,J.D. Edwards, Oracle,
  BAAN

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Purchasing Software
TECHNOLOGY

• See JofA--March 1998
• (Its online!!!)
• Excelcos Accounting System Selector

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Purchasing Software
TECHNOLOGY

• ODBC compliant
• Modules, legacy interface
• Audit trails, posting methods
• Journals and ledgers

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Purchasing Software
TECHNOLOGY

• Heads down data entry
• Reports and Controls
  (integrates well with Commercial
  Reporting Systems)
• Generic vs. industry adapted industry
  specific
• 3rd party add-ons

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Purchasing Software
TECHNOLOGY

• Graphical guidance-- e.g inventory adjustment
• Default rich settings e.g. preset JEs
  
• Pay attention to strength of of the vendor!!!

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High vs. Low End Packages
TECHNOLOGY

• Price
• Features-security
• Flexibility
• Maintenance
• Training

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High vs. Low End Packages
TECHNOLOGY

• Price
• Low-end3 figures
• Mid-range 4-5 figures
• High-end 6 and up

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Pricing
TECHNOLOGY

• Usually based on of concurrent users
• Installation/training--big s
• Usually need to upgrade hardware tooevery 3
  yrs

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High vs. Low End Packages
TECHNOLOGY

• Features
• Lowfewer but growing, historically for single
  users
• Midmulti-user, reports, multilingual/multicur
  rency
• Highworkflow, e-trade, etc

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Features
TECHNOLOGY

• Fluctuating exchange rates
• Euro-compliant
• Supports Foreign languages
• Supports foreign currency in G/L OTHER
  modules

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High vs. Low End Packages
TECHNOLOGY

• Flexibility
• Lowrigid, user MAY set up
• Midcan be customized, need acct/ VAR to set
  up
• Highcomplete flexibility, need consultants
  to set up

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High vs. Low End Packages
TECHNOLOGY

• Flexibility/Operating System
• LowWindows, NT, Macs
• Midmultiple O/S
• HighUnix(es), Linux, VMS, Solaris, O/S200, NT

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• Enterprise Software
• The Promised Land

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• But the glory is fading!!!!!!!
• Y2K is over
• Big market is saturated
• Profits are declining
• Expanding to Middle Market--Beginning ERP

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3 Tier Architecture
TECHNOLOGY

• Relational Database (Oracle, Informix, Sybase,
  SQL Server, DB2)
• Application software (SAP, PeopleSoft, BAAN)
• User Interface (GUI, usually Windows)

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Enterprise Software
TECHNOLOGY

• Need to realize that the cost of the software is
  just the start--PeopleSoft is 2-4X for the
  install SAP is 4-6X

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• FASB TRIVIA
• How do you account for new software purchased and
  the consultants fees to implement it?

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• Whats coming?
• Best of breed--modules
• Full web integration
• CRM
• Supply chain
• ASP-

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ASP - Application Service Provider
TECHNOLOGY

• Also called hosting services
• Outsources IT department
• Allows you to RENT state- of-the-art
  software

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Trends
TECHNOLOGY

• Easier to use
• Automatic functions
• Tailoring through parameters
• Browser based
• XML based exchange of data
• Database user interfaces
• Powerful analysis tools