Late January this year saw the launch of the Apple iPad in the US. Much hype surrounded the release with some commenting that this device will ‘change the face of mobile computing’. With a 9.7 inch screen the device is designed to work like a full-sized electronic notepad. The iPad allows you to ‘write’ onto the screen and read material in the style of a physical notebook. With web access, Apple has provided access to thousands of applications – mainly based on its iPod technology. The product emphasis is using eBooks, videos, web-browsing, photosand music. With UK availability rumoured for around March this year, where is this likely to take mobile computing?

Notepad-style computers have been around for some time. Microsoft first announced its tablet PC in 2001, which had the ability to ‘write’ directly onto a screen. Adoption in the business market has been slow. People seem to prefer the more conventional laptop for emails and access to transaction processing systems such as accounting and CRM (customer relationship management) software. Added to this the Apple operating system does not co-exist easily with the Microsoft environment and so IT departments are in for a headache if they try and integrate Apple iPad’s with conventional PCs in the workplace.

However with the marketing efforts of Apple this device may become a ‘must have’ piece of equipment for the consumer market. This could lead to people owning dual devices – one for business/work and one for home/personal use.

I am finding it very difficult to predict where mobile devices will take us in business in the coming decade. In terms of the physical equipment how big will these machines be? Phone-sized? Mini notebooks (currently called Netbooks)? Tablet-style or a full-blown laptop? Will wireless technology get to the point where we are with mobile phones where access is available nearly everywhere? If so will ‘thin client’ equipment take over where the servers do the grunt work and store most of our information?

The long-term use is likely to be driven by our personal choice of how we work. Blackberries are now common in charities and those of us who commute will be aware of how widely these devices and laptops are used when on the move. Technology is allowing us to work from home far more easily. However a key part of charity work is engaging with people and technology has the capacity to become a barrier to this. Home lives get affected by 24/7 access to email/the web. The working environment and the beneficiaries of charities can suffer if electronic communication replaces physical contact. Care needs to be taken when implementing new mobile devices that the human side of charities are not ignored.

COA acquired by ACS

Last month saw the announcement of another round of consolidation in the accounting software market. COA (Open Accounts) was bought by Advanced Computer Software (ACS), a specialist supplier of software and services to the healthcare sector. COA is widely used among the larger charities with clients such as the RSPB, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Leonard Cheshire.

Existing and potential users of COA software will be wondering how this will affect future product development and the quality of the support they are offered. In last month’s Charity Finance Accounting Software Survey COA came out top in terms of user satisfaction ratings with 100 per cent of those who used the software saying they would recommend it to other charities.

ACS has its main client base in the healthcare sector and may choose to focus its efforts on this market. Short-term profits can be increased by cutting back on R&D and reducing the level of support to end users. This is a model that many acquiring companies have adopted in the accounting software market. Large acquirers such as Sage and Infor (who bought Systems Union, including the product SunAccounts) have been accused of adopting such a strategy. It is argued that user satisfaction results from Charity Finance support this point of view.

COA has invested in new technologies and charities have benefited from this. They have made the investment in customer support and the survey results reflect the benefits users get from this. Let us hope that ACS continues with this investment and does not lose focus on the charity sector. While they may generate short-term profits from reining in investment, their future growth in the not-for-profit world will soon be hit if they take their eye off the ball.