Opening up Outlook’s data format

In Q4 last year, Microsoft announced through its Interoperability @ Microsoft blog that it was planning to open up its proprietary PST email format used by Outlook. The data in .pst files has been accessible through the Messaging API (MAPI) and Outlook Object Model (two things of which my understanding is minimal at best), butContinue reading “Opening up Outlook’s data format”

Using wikis or blogs to manage knowledge in firms

A recent article on WebCPA confused and inspired me: Accounting firms need to become more intelligent businesses by better leveraging the time and knowledge of their professional staff, according to a survey… […] Firms with a formal knowledge management program benefited from its implementation. Hmm… Intelligence, good. Leveraging knowledge, check. Formal knowledge management program, bingo!Continue reading “Using wikis or blogs to manage knowledge in firms”

Economist claims accountant obsolescence

An esteemed Princeton economist has predicted that accountants, lawyers and other highly educated and highly paid workers in the developed world will be made obsolete in the near future by lower cost alternatives in the developing world. From the best accountants and lawyers to the smartest derivatives traders to teachers and lecturers, many of today’sContinue reading “Economist claims accountant obsolescence”

Sell your services over the phone using Ether

A week ago I was trading blog posts with David Rachford about accountants marketing their professional services using MySpace. The discussion had resulted in both of us signing up with the mega-popular site in an effort to understand the potential opportunities. Results are still out on that avenue, but out of the Web 2.0 ether,Continue reading “Sell your services over the phone using Ether”