Business Process Outsourcing

A short article on Business Process Outsourcing.  I already work with one company where invoices are scanned in one place, the bookkeeping is done somewhere else and the business is run in a third location.  With tools like Evernote and Clearbooks, I think this will become increasingly common as it saves time and money as well as improving record keeping.

How to better manage your 'back office' needs and capitalize on talent:

'via Blog this'

Keynote speech (video) on Cloud Accounting

More about the Cloud from CIMA.  Watched the first clip - more for watching later.

What is Cloud Computing

CIMA CPD event that completely changed my view of Cloud Computing.

I had thought of Cloud Computing in fragmented terms with each application being in a separate cloud eg Gmail, Evernote etc.  This opened my eyes to the advantages of having a single private cloud.

The disadvantages of the fragmented cloud are:

1. You do not know where your data is and it may be hard to back it up (not an issue with Evernote) and although Google's reputation depends on protecting my data, if there is a problem I have no redress.
2. May not have control over version control

Advantages of personal cloud are:

1. Clear where data is and option exists for backups.
2. Running desk top applications from cloud.  I would have licences for applications and could run them from my own server or another cloud supplier if fell out with first one.

Effect is very much like having outsourced IT.  This could be very much of interest for running small to medium sized offices, although not of interest to me at present since much of the time I am working directly onto clients' systems.

Presentation was by System Host which came across as a very credible and competent supplier.

Further details (sorry requires password as contains confidential and copyright information).

Grant Thornton Technical Update Seminar

A 3 part seminar:

Overview of The Future of UK Financial Reporting Standards
Presented by Michelle Sansom of the UK Accounting Standards Board

Specifics relating to the future of UK Financial Reporting Standards
Presented by Philip Allen, Assurance Senior Manager at Grant Thornton

Outsourcing and Rightsourcing
Presented by Mike Morrison, CEO and James Bowkes, FD, ISG Technology

1.5 hours