With the increasing trend for companies to outsource (such as certain accounting or IT functions), cloud computing has increasingly become a solution for organizations. It’s an innovative and increasingly popular model of software deployment that offers enterprise-class software function without traditional up-front infrastructure costs or the unpredictable support and maintenance costs of on-site software and hardware.
From infrastructure to security to personal productivity to workflow, CRM, accounting and ERP, there are today mature, cloud-based applications available in nearly every segment of the software marketplace.
The typical types of cloud computing methods include:
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Mobile & Remote Computing Case Study: Project Balance
A case study that shows how one firm, KAF Financial in Braintree, MA, is employing mobile and remote computing technologies and flexible work arrangements to increase productivity, improve customer service, enhance their recruitment efforts, and further work-life balance.
Mobile & Remote Computing: Sample IT Policies (Template)
A sample IT policy document that can be modified to help formalize and articulate IT policies to employees. This document incorporates specific policies crucial to any organization implementing mobile and remote computing initiatives, as well as additional policies that organizations should implement in order to ensure a baseline level of security over information and network resources. It is offered in Word format to allow organizations to customize it to meet their needs.
Mobile & Remote Computing: Sample IT Policies (Annotated)
An annotated version of the Sample IT policies document with notes explaining the rationale for various policies, as well as practical implementation advice.
An IT Decision-Maker’s Guide to Leveraging Mobile & Remote Computing (Discussion Paper)
A discussion paper intended to provide IT decision makers and others who influence IT decisions with an overview of mobile/remote computing. Topics of discussion include (1) the technologies behind the mobile & remote computing trend; (2) mobile & remote computing solutions for organizations of all sizes and the rationale for choosing one over the other; (3) special HR and IT Policy considerations for the mobile & remote computing-enabled; and (4) sample scenarios in which an organization might consider implementing or expanding existing mobile & remote computing capabilities.
Mobile & Remote Computing Glossary
A glossary of mobile and remote computing terms and technologies.
What's SaaS and Why You Should Care
Will CPAs be ready as vendors drive toward “software as a service” delivery system?
Privacy in the Clouds
A white paper on Privacy and Digital Identity:Implications for the Internet by Ann Cavoukian, Ph.D., Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Leverage Advanced Technologies, Achieve Business Goals – An interview with McGladrey
The irreversible trends in global business and telecommuting have created a need for reliable and effective virtual communication (both internal and external) for all businesses. Panelists will discuss use of technology to facilitate collaboration, including remote computing as well as the use of mobile devices and video. Panelists will share best practices within their own companies, including the implementation of controls.
The Risks of Mobile Computing
2012 TECH+ presentation overview by Brian Thomas. The slide presentation provides an overview of mobile computing, including trends in technology, identification of mobile risks and threats as well as risk mitigation.
What to Know Before Using Cloud Computing
Lisa Johnson, CPA/CITP and Geni Whitehouse provide an overview of the risks, impacts, and benefits to your business and control environment. The speakers raise the following questions once you or your client have finally reached a decision to consider a SaaS (Software as a Service) application: What about security and ownership of data? Business continuity? E- discovery? Compliance?
Cloud Computing and Privacy
This page contains links to various articles and multi-media exploring cloud computing and privacy.