Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks and other popular business technology solutions have put together a small business report that is authored by The Institute for the Future. This is a three part study that examines trends for small business over the next 10 years. Part one of the study was released in January 2007 and it focuses on “Demographic Trends and Small Business”. Part two of this study was just recently released and it focuses on “Technology Trends and Small Business”.

The link to both parts of the Study and to the Intuit site: http://www.intuit.com/futureofsmallbusiness

According to Hoovers, the top technology trends for small business in 2007 are:

• SEO or Search Engine Optimizaton: To ensure a strong web presence that gives your web site maximum exposure on the net, a significant amount of time and resources are needed to develop SEO strategies.
• Marketing Partnerships: In order to cut the costs of generating new business, many small businesses are turning to marketing partnerships to generate new leads.
• Computer Security: All businesses must put in place certain safeguards to ensure that their confidential information is protected at all times. At the very least a small business should protect their proprietary databases from competitors, former employees, would be hackers and all types of malware. There should also be regular daily or twice daily backing up of data. Web based backup services are fairly new and should be looked into. Then of course having a formal, written contingency plan such as a plan in the event of a natural disaster should be the ultimate goal of all small businesses.

Many accountants have already embraced web based technology solutions. They have done their homework. Many more accountants are still holding on to their desktop based systems oblivious to what is going on all around them. Who will fare better in the months and years ahead? Gone are the days when moms and dads get stuck at the office unable to attend to the needs of their families. With web based software solutions, these same professionals can work from virtually anywhere there is an internet connection.