Mark Demayo OUTLINE THESIS: I will explain the steps that need to be taken to
computerize business accounts. The steps are planning and informed selecting of
hardware, software, and training. I. Making the decision to computerize II.
Choosing the correct tools A. Software B. Hardware C. New and old technology
III. Installation and training In the normal course of a day our lives are
affected by the technology of computers in ways we can only begin to imagine.
“The word ubiquitous means ever-present or occurring everywhere. This term could
be used to describe the use of the computer in the business”(Perry 11). The
business world’s benefit alone is enough to make your head spin. Every time you
go to the grocery store, the bank, the local ATM, or even the neighborhood gym
you cannot help but benefit by the use of computers in modern society. The
common civilians’ encounter with computers is not the only area where technology
has changed our lives. Many fields in business such as accounting depend on the
convenience, speed, accuracy, and reliability that computers have become known
for. But not all companies are large enough to benefit from the use of
computers. First a company must research the impact a computer will have on
keeping track of its accounts. Then they must choose the correct hardware and
software to best suit their particular needs, while at the same time making
themselves familiar with the new enhancements that increase productivity.
Finally, the company must allow time for installation and training. When
evaluating the need to convert from a manual accounting system to a computerized
accounting system you also need to forecast the future demands of your company.
After all to survive in the business world you must anticipate the future and
not react to the past. How do you know when it is time to make the critical
transition? “It is when management finds itself unable to keep track of its
business. Which products are profitable? Which are not? Which customers pay on
time ? Which are delinquent? Having easy access to this data is essential to
running a healthy and competitive business”(Stevens 106). When your company has
grown so large that management no longer has access to the data used to make
informed decisions, then it is probably time to switch to a computerized data
management system. These computerized data management systems are often called
information systems. The company now has two choices. It can either hire a
professional consulting firm to help select and install the computer system, or
venture out on its own to make these important decisions. “Adequate planning is
the most important step in assuring the successful use of computer technology”
(Perry 23). Most companies would be better off seeking the aid of a consulting
firm.They are better informed on the different types of hardware and software
that would best suit your computing needs. An outside firm is a better choice
because they are less likely to make a costly mistake when choosing the new
system. Another benefit to using a consulting firm would be their help in
setting-up the procedures for using the new computer system and the necessary
training to implement those procedures. Once you have decided that your company
can benefit from computer enhancements it is then a matter of choosing which
software and hardware at would be most useful. Software is just another name for
the programming that computers run on. It is the language that tells computers
what to do. When choosing accounting software it is important to, “make sure to
select the right number and combination of software ‘modules’ to meet your
company’s accounting needs.Most software packages include modules for accounts
receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, inventory and payroll” (Stevens
108). The objective is to come up with an integrated system by selecting the
modules important to your company. Here is an example of an integrated
accounting system. “Say you send a bill to customer.
