Volume 5

Issue 3

2014

Technology Advice for Accounting Professionals, by AccSys Solutions Inc.

You Need A Properly Configured Network For Accounting

Accounting software does not run like other applications in the office. Transaction-based accounting software is very file intensive. It requires the constant reading and writing of massive amounts of data to and from hard disks, and needs to run on a network that boasts the power and smarts to provide real-time access to dozens of files simultaneously for multiple users. As such, it demands its own network "space", and can easily get bogged down if it is run on a network optimized for something other than its own specific needs.

To help our clients ensure they are running their accounting software on an accounting software-optimized network, we have created a Network Configurations Guideline White Paper. Using manufacturers' specifications, Microsoft Best Practices guides, and Information Technology (IT) industry accepted best practices, combined with "real world" experiences in correcting poorly performing accounting software installations, AccSys Solutions and co-author Logic Computer Services have documented an easy-to-understand guide on how to configure your network for accounting software, from mouse to Internet.

This document is created with you, the end-user, in mind, so that you may provide it to your IT implementers, so that they in turn can reconfigure your network to a more optimal configuration.

To ensure that your installation performs properly, this guideline should be studied and followed as closely as possible any time poor network performance is an issue, or when new hardware is being purchased and implemented. Clients who follow these recommendations and maintain their hardware properly almost never have hardware related problems -- particularly slow performance and data corruptions.

We encourage you to download this free document and share it with your IT support. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, we welcome your feedback. Email douglas@accsyssolutions.com, or call 1.888.534.4344 to get in touch.

F9: The Excel User's Power Key

Many Excel users are familiar with the F9 key and its job. F9 calculates all open worksheets in all open workbooks. But did you know these variations on F9?

F9 followed by ENTER (or followed by CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER for array formulas) calculates the selected portion of a formula and replaces it with the calculated value.
SHIFT+F9 calculates the active worksheet.
CTRL+ALT+F9 calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation.
CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F9 rechecks dependent formulas, and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated.
CTRL+F9 minimizes a workbook window to an icon.

Summing in a Word Table

To add up a column or row of numbers in a table, use the Formula command.

Click the table cell where you want your result.
Click the Table Tools Layout tab and click Formula.
Check between the parentheses to make sure Word includes the cells you want in the sum.

=SUM(ABOVE) adds the numbers in the column above the cell you're in.

=SUM(LEFT) adds the numbers in the row to the left of the cell you're in.

=SUM(BELOW) adds the numbers in the column below the cell you're in.

=SUM(RIGHT) adds the numbers in the row to the right of the cell you're in.

If you make changes to the numbers you're adding, select the sum and press F9 to show the new results. You can also use more than one formula in a table. For example, you can add up each row of numbers in the right-hand column, and then you can add up those results at the bottom of the column. Word also includes other functions for tables, like AVERAGE and PRODUCT.

For more TechnoTips, you can find backissues of the Technologist here:

http://www.accsyssolutions.com/technologist.html

Windows XP End Of Life: What Does It Mean?

Are you still running Windows XP? If you are, and you continue to use Windows XP now that support has ended, your computer will still work but it might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Internet Explorer 8 is also no longer supported, so if your Windows XP PC is connected to the Internet and you use Internet Explorer 8 to surf the web, you might be exposing your PC to additional threats. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter more apps and devices that do not work with Windows XP. Contact us today and we can help you make an action plan to migrate away from Windows XP with minimal disruption to your day to day business.