The document discusses several topics related to small businesses and technology: 1) It defines a sole proprietorship as an unincorporated business owned and run by one individual who is entitled to all profits but also responsible for all debts and losses. Sole proprietorships make up over 23 million businesses in the US despite the financial risks. 2) Technology is playing an increasing role in business accounting through cloud computing, analytics tools, and mobile devices. IT consultants need to communicate effectively with accountants to help them make sound technology decisions. 3) It discusses the COPE model where companies provide employees mobile devices to use for work similarly to personal devices, differing from BYOD where employees use their own devices for work.

1. 1. How do you define small business? Is that in accordance with
accepted business terminology?
2. The Small Business Administration defines a sole
proprietorship as "an unincorporated business owned and run by
one individual with no distinction between the business and
you, the owner. You are entitled to all profits and are
responsible for all your business's debts, losses and liabilities."
Sole Proprietors do indeed take on the entire financial risk of
their business. Yet, there are 23 million sole proprietorships in
America today. This is more than the current number of 1.7
million traditional C corporations, and the 7.4 million
partnerships and S corporations. So, what is it that makes the
financial risk of sole proprietorship worth starting that business
structure?
https://www.sba.gov/content/sole-proprietorship-0
http://taxfoundation.org/blog/us-has-more-individually-owned-
businesses-corporations
3. We look at the role of accounting in business today and that
raises the question of
"What role does IT play in Business Accounting?"
Technology is developing in leaps and bounds and many agree
with Intuit in their prediction that,
"... technology will increasingly be woven into the fabric of the
accounting industry in the next decade. The profession will be
reshaped as accounting firms use Cloud computing platforms
and applications, combined with advanced analytical tools,
large data sets, and social and mobile computing."
Account Executive, David Freeman, states,
"Aside from learning through practical experience and taking

2. advantage of educational opportunities, there will seemingly be
a continual need for trustworthy, bilingual (business speak/IT
speak) consultants who can provide the objective advice and
assistance to help accountants make good business oriented
decisions around IT"
Being able to communicate with accountants in order to help
them make sound business decisions in terms of IT is an
essential skill for today's IT professional.
http://www.accountingweb.com/article/intuit-looks-
technologys-role-accountings-future/222633
http://smartdatacollective.com/david-
freeman/81591/technologys-impact-accounting-and-business
4.
Definition: COPE (corporate-owned, personally-enabled) COPE
(corporate-owned personally-enabled) is a business model in
which an organization provides its employees with mobile
computing devices and allows the employees to use them as if
they were personally-owned notebook computers, tablets or
smartphones. (searchConsumerization.com)
This is different than BYOD (bring your own device) , where
employees bring their devices to work to use for work
purposes.
Anyone have experience with either of these models?
5.
When I first started with computers in the late 1980's, the vision
was that everyone would adopt technology and the 'paperless
office' would naturally evolve. Well nearly twenty years later,
we are still dreaming of the paperless office. However, today it
can be a reality! True there are some aspects of certain

3. businesses that must be paper - such as blue prints. Yet, today
we have the means to truly adopt a paperless environment.
Some of the obstacles faced include 1) changing habits, 2)
setting up a secure backup, and 3) having digital documents
with fillable forms and signature capabilities. Upgrading to a
network system that creates emails to faxes and can digitally
sort and file is essential for the smooth functionality of the
digital office.
About eleven years ago, I went into my family doctor's office
and discovered that he had implemented an all-tech office. The
doctors and nursing staff each have personal computers that are
networked. Here they can see any patients records, add new
data, and write orders and prescriptions. They can see digital
versions of x-rays and other medical tests from area hospitals;
everything is digitized.
In the businesses and organizations I have worked with the
greatest concern was having 'backups' for data. "What if our
network crashes?" is a common question. Today, with so many
options for secure online storage, portable hard drives, and
system backups, the issue is finding the best solution for one's
needs.
The second major issue is establishing processes and setting up
the pathways for which digital documents and data will be
managed. File and folder naming is a simple yet critical step in
an effective office.
Mashable.com offers this short article on "5 Simple Tools for a
Paperless Office", that highlights software products that will
facilitate establishing a paperless office for any small
business.
http://mashable.com/2010/05/01/small-business-paperless/