1. PROPOSAL FOR CLOUD APPLICATION: TURBOTAX
Prepared by Xxxx Xxxxx

2. University of Florida
December 10, 2014
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
…………………………………………………………………………
…... i
Introduction
…………………………………………………………………………
…………… 1
Recommendation
…………………………………………………………………………
……... 2
Implementation Plan
…………………………………………………………………………
..… 5
Evaluation Plan
…………………………………………………………………………
……..… 6
References
…………………………………………………………………………
………..…… 8
Table of Figures

3. Figure 1
…………………………………………………………………………
……………….. 3
Figure 2
…………………………………………………………………………
……………….. 3
Figure 3
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……………….. 3
Figure 4
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……………….. 3
Figure 5
…………………………………………………………………………
……………….. 5

4. TurboTax Proposal i
Executive Summary
This report recommends the implementation of TurboTax, an
accounting application used
for preparing and filing personal income tax returns and tax
returns for sole proprietors of small
businesses. Out of all the apps researched, TurboTax makes the
most sense for our company as
all of the other apps focus on inventory and bookkeeping
whereas we already have a system for
that. TurboTax will save us time and money and help increase
efficiency and productivity.
TurboTax is easy to use, greatly functional, and decently priced.
With TurboTax, clients who
have simple tax returns will be offered a new service where they
use TurboTax to complete their
tax returns and one of our accountants will double-check the tax
return for errors and file it
electronically. This will save us time and money and will also
allow us to gain more clients. For
those who still want to meet in-person with an accountant, our
employees can use TurboTax to
speed up the process and provide a basis for the tax return

5. preparation. The implementation
process will last approximately one year to guarantee that
everything is done properly and
successful. The implementing process will include the following
steps: programming, selecting
clients for a test trial, the trial, fixing problems, advertising and
launching. During the test trial,
management will take notes on how effective the new system is.
Clients and employees will also
be asked to take a survey evaluating the app to ensure that
everything is as hoped.
TurboTax Recommendation 1
Introduction
According to Kaye & Nicholson, the initial awareness of
information technologies in the

6. accounting profession took place in the mid 1980s. Not
everyone was fond of the advancement,
as there was a wide array of reactions (1992, p. 105).
Technology is a huge part of the
accounting world and is constantly evolving. With recent
development, accountants are able to
use applications to involve their clients in the process.
Accountants can now focus only on the accounting portion of
their jobs and leave the
bookkeeping to the software that does the data-entry process for
them. Programs have import
functions that connect to clients’ online banking and perform
the coding and data-entry for the
accountant. Accountants then use the technology to prepare
financial statements. Once done, the
accountant is able to securely send the information to the client
via client portals; thus,
terminating the use of paper and providing the client with
instant access to all statements
prepared. Therefore, accountants are able to build even stronger
relationships with their clients as
they can reestablish some efficiency gains and add value to the
connections with their clients

7. (Porterfield, 2011, p. 15).
Implementing TurboTax in our company would solve many
problems that we encounter.
The app would help with problems of time, cost, and efficiency
that we often face. During tax
season, our employees are completely overworked as they have
way too many taxes to prepare
under the limiting time. Due to this problem, our employees are
working overtime, often staying
throughout the night just to keep up with their workloads, as I
know from experience. Our
employees find themselves all kinds of taxes to prepare from
simple, personal income taxes to
complex, large business corporate taxes. They struggle with
efficiency as they have multiple
simple taxes to return so they are busy trying to go through that
process when they should really
be spending most of their time on our large accounts and the
complexity of those tax returns. It is
important to consider the app so all of these problems can be
solved. With the implementation of
this app and all our problems solved, our company’s name will
be stronger than ever, our
productivity rates will be extremely higher, and our costs will

8. be significantly lower as our
employees will no longer be staying overtime.
Before deciding on TurboTax, many apps were considered and
evaluated. Some of the
other apps researched are QuickBooks, Kashoo, Xero, and
Cheqbook. These apps were viewed
because they were most known and had the best reviews
according to Google and authorities in
TurboTax Recommendation 2
the field. All of the apps include functions like bookkeeping,
invoicing, payroll, and reporting
while TurboTax can be used for tax return preparation and
electronic filing. They were evaluated
based on criteria such as security, compatibility, user
friendliness, vendor support, cost,
functionality, reliability, and efficiency. The results concluded
that all of the apps had great
results on the criteria evaluated.
Recommendation
Some information presented in this section has come directly
from an unpublished report

9. submitted to the supervisor on November 17, 2014.
I am recommending TurboTax to be implemented in our
company. Out of all of the apps
researched and evaluated, TurboTax was the only app that
differed from the others. Given that
we already have our own system of bookkeeping and invoicing,
the other apps are unnecessary
and ineffective for our company. TurboTax is most beneficial
given its evaluation of the
following criteria.
Functionality
TurboTax does everything needed for filing taxes electronically
with the IRS for personal
income tax returns and sole proprietors of small businesses.
There is an automatic import
function so that users can import their W2 and 1099 tax forms.
The app looks through over 350
deductions and credits to ensure that users get as many
deductions as possible.
Audience
Both our clients and employees will be using the app. Our
clients, who either file
personal income taxes or file as sole proprietors of small

10. businesses, will use the app to guide
them through their returns. These clients will be offered a
reduced price. The employees will use
the app to double-check the tax returns that are done by clients
through the app and to help speed
up the process of taxes for clients who decide not to use the app
on their own.
Navigation/Usability
TurboTax is extremely simple and no prior knowledge of taxes
is needed for use. In fact,
users take photos of their W-2 forms, answer simple questions
about their lives, and their tax
returns are completed for them ready for e-filing, as shown in
the figures below. The figures
below show the process of TurboTax from an iPhone’s
perspective.
TurboTax Recommendation 3
Advantages/Opportunities
One advantages of this app

11. includes its detailed instructions. Users
are confident that they are doing
everything right because they are guided
through the entire process. Another
advantage is security. The app uses
advanced technology, has a strong
privacy team, and performs security
tests daily. TurboTax is accessible from
almost everywhere. There are apps that
can be found in the Apple App Store,
Google play, and Amazon that can be
used on mobile devices and tablets.
TurboTax is also available online so users
can use their laptops and computers and
login through any web browser. This
presents our company the opportunity to
offer both in-person and online services,
giving us the chance to attract customers

12. who do not want to pay the price of
accounting services. They can pay a
lower fee to use the app and also get the
satisfaction that a skilled accountant is
double-checking the app’s work and
ensuring that the tax return gets filed.
Disadvantages/Constraints
One disadvantage is that users
are limited to individuals and sole
proprietors. The app does not support
Figure 1: Main
Page (App Store)
Figure 2: Step 1
(App Store)
Figure 3: Step 2
(App Store)
Figure 4: Step 3
(App Store)

13. TurboTax Recommendation 4
medium to large sized companies and corporations. Another
constraint is making a deal with
TurboTax to implement it into our company. We will have to
negotiate with the developers to
come to an exclusive deal so that our company is the only one
to have TurboTax implemented in
order to make our company stand out.
Accuracy
TurboTax guarantees 100% accuracy for calculations. If not,
they will pay any IRS
penalties. The TurboTax program double-checks every step as
the person is filling out the
information and runs various error checks.
Cost
Figure 5: TurboTax Pricing (Turbo Tax)
TurboTax Recommendation 5
The cost of TurboTax is based on the client’s needs. All of the
apps are free to download,

14. but require a cost once the tax return is prepared to file. Rates
on the app start from $14.99 for
simple state returns and increase with the complexity of each
case. The pricing for the online
product is shown in Figure 5.
Furthermore, Deloitte should begin using TurboTax in order to
achieve a faster turnover,
a higher productivity, enhanced results, stress-free employees,
and more clients. Implementing
this app would strengthen and increase our company’s potential.
Implementation Plan
With time, TurboTax will be fully integrated into the
workplace. The implementation
process will take approximately one year, giving us time to
prepare for the 2016 tax season. To
ensure clients are satisfied with the new system, TurboTax will
be implemented slowly to ensure
that everything is done successfully. The steps of the
implementation plan are as follows:
Step 1: Application Implication
The application will be programmed into all company laptops,
computers, tablets, etc.

15. This will take approximately 2 months to ensure that all
applications are up and running to
perfection.
Step 2: Selecting Clients for Test Trial
Clients will be selected to try out this new system. We will ask
our top 50 clients who
usually file personal tax returns or returns as sole proprietors of
small businesses to participate.
We will explain to them how TurboTax works and the reduced
fee if they wish to switch to this
process. This will take 2-3 months in order to give clients time
to think about what is best for
them and to ask more clients in case our top 50 clients do not
wish to participate.
Step 3: Trial for 2015 Tax Season
The selected clients will use TurboTax to prepare their tax
returns. Then, our employees
will double-check that everything is right and submit the tax
returns via TurboTax for electronic
filing. Employees will also use the application to complete tax
returns for other clients who want
to meet in-person with their accountants. This will take 4
months, the typical length of tax

16. season. During this time, management will take note of
employee and customer satisfaction.
Step 4: Fix any Problems
TurboTax Recommendation 6
After the trial is complete, any problems that management noted
during the trial will be
fixed. This will call for a couple of months (1-2) to ensure that
everything is perfect for the
public launch.
Step 5: Advertisement & Launching
Advertisements will be increased to spread the word of the
company’s new program to
clients and the general public. Information sessions and online
videos will be available to explain
this new system. This will attract customers and allow us to
grow our database. Finally, our
application will be launched and we will be fully ready to use
the new system for the 2016 tax
season.
Evaluation Plan

17. During step 3 of the implementation plan, evaluations will take
place to see whether the
app is working as hoped. Management will oversee clients and
employees and take notes on their
observations. Notes should be focused around criteria including
functionality, audience,
navigation/usability, advantages, disadvantages, cost, and
accuracy. In addition, clients and
employees will be asked to take a survey evaluating the
application. Clients will be given an
incentive to participate such as a 10% discount if they
participate. The survey will be similar to
the following:
Evaluation Survey
Please rate the following items based on a 1-10 scale, with 10
being the highest and 1 being the
lowest.
Functionality:
Navigation/Usability:
Cost:
Accuracy:
What do you like best about using TurboTax?

18. What do you least like about using TurboTax?
How would you improve the application?
Will you use TurboTax again next year?
TurboTax Recommendation 7
After the survey is completed by clients and employees and the
notes from management
are compiled, the necessary changes will be made to enhance
the app and we will go forth with
launching this new service.

19. TurboTax Recommendation 8
References
App Store. Apple App Store. (iOS 8). [Mobile application
software]. Retrieved from
http://itunes.apple.com
Kaye, G. R., & Nicholson, A. H. S. (1992). An educational
framework for
information technology in accounting and management
education. Computers &
Education, 19(1), 105-112. doi:10.1016/0360-1315(92)90016-X
Porterfield, T. G. (2011). Technology changing the accounting
profession.

20. Arkansas Business, 28(38), 15.
TurboTax Online. (n.d.) Retrieved November 24, 2014, from
https://turbotax.intuit.com
http://itunes.apple.com/
https://turbotax.intuit.com/
FRONT MATTER:
• Title Page:
• Table of Contents and Table of Figures: can be on the same
page; make sure right and left margins
line up; if you use an "insert" tool, make sure to adjust the font
to match the body of the proposal
• Executive Summary: written especially for management, least
technical vocab; 250-400 words
o Overview of entire project (including info new to the rec
report, e.g. app/integration
proposal), but only major information, dates and outcomes –
details will come in “report”
section below
o Chronologically organized

21. BODY: introduction, app recommendation, implementation
plan, evaluation plan
• Introduction: this section has a number of purposes, but
ultimately it provides the context and all
necessary background information for the reader to understand
the report; 400-600 words
o Short history/background of technology use in the
field/discipline/job; Sources must be from
trade or scholarly publications
o Problem statement – What problem(s) would using the app
solve? Why is it important to
consider an app for this field/discipline job? Why should the
reader care?
o Summary of research report (what apps [or at least kinds of
apps] were researched, why and
how, what criteria were applied)
• Recommendation: (400-600 words)
o Add this sentence to the beginning of your recommendation if
you are using any ideas or
language from your Informational Report:
▪ Some information presented in this section has come directly
from an unpublished report

22. submitted to the supervisor on [date the research report was
due].
o Brief statement of which app you chose
o Extended discussion of why this app works best – support
with screenshots where
appropriate!!
▪ Functionality
▪ Audience
▪ Navigation/Usability
▪ Advantages/Opportunities
▪ Disadvantages/Constraints
▪ Cost
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chosen audience in specific context
▪ “persuasive” b/c of data and reasoning
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• Implementation Plan: detailed explanation of how to integrate

23. into workplace (or whichever
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be numbered steps or key
words
▪ Keep parallel format for each step
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o Must include brief plan for evaluation of whether app is
working as hoped – how would you test
for this? Should match the factors evaluated in the extended
discussion of app in
Recommendation section.
BACK MATTER: references, glossary (if needed), list of
symbols (if needed), appendix (if needed)
• References: (not included in word count) ALL sources used
for entire project in correct APA format
• Appendix: (optional section; not included in word count)

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25. Memorandum
To: J. Coenen
From: Alexis Obregon
Subject: Cloud Computing Applications in the Medical Filed
Date: March 20, 2018
This memo is an outline of cloud computing in the medical field
and five cloud-based computer applications that could be used
in our healthcare industry, as requested by industry supervisor.
The use of the apps mentioned ought to be considered in our
medical industry due to the many benefits, advantages and
better outcomes that can bring to the patients and healthcare
professionals. Cloud-based computing applications are cost-
effective, with a variety of useful operational functionalities.
Background of Cloud Computing in the Discipline.
Cloud computing is an innovative, flexible and cost-effective
on-demand, subscription-based service. It allows its users to
obtain networked storage space, while simultaneously providing
a variety of applications. The services work by using software
and hardware resources provided by third-party organizations
that are easy to use and access with the help of the Internet
(Gorelik, 2013, p. 8), (Huth, Alexa; Cebula, James, 2011, p. 1).
In the healthcare sector, cloud computing offers a modernized
service for its users and a fast answer to potential problems. It
is very helpful in minimizing the complexity and simplifying
the collaboration among the data systems. Cloud-based
computing and its applications have the power to gather,
integrate and analyze information from a variety of sources in
real time. It does that by allowing healthcare providers to access
the information needed to diagnose and treat patients at any
time, anywhere, with the help of computers, phones, and tablets.
At the same time, the data is kept secured by backing it up and

26. replicating it to help recover the information if it is lost or
damaged (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, pp. 12-16). Additionally,
cloud computing applications have the potential to economically
revolutionize the healthcare industry at reduced costs. Users are
only charged for what they use, and there is no need for startup
expenditure of complicated systems and hardware installations.
This pricing option reduces the need for maintenance and
therefore reduces the need for IT experts required to keep it
working properly (Barton, et al., 2017). Its ability to update,
improve and expand with just a few clicks, while at the same
time-saving energy is also one of the strengths of cloud
computing (Lai, Trancong, & Coh), (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015).
Explanation of Criteria
Cloud-based computing applications for the medical industry
should be evaluated using several criteria. The following
characteristics must be considered to help highlight important
aspects the applications should have for its usage. The
applications to be used must be evaluated based on
functionality, audience, features, price, privacy and security,
service reliability, support integrations, portability and mobility
(friendliness and compatibility), as well as the efficiency and
performance of the application. The functionality is what the
app does to cover the needs of its users in the field. Audience is
the spectrum of target users that will be using the applications.
The features are what the application must offer in terms of
business solutions and services needed to complete a task.
Portability is the ability of the app to be used without device
restrictions when in different environments. The price of the
applications is how much they cost, and if it is worth for its
users in contrast to the app capabilities. Security is an important
criterion, private patent information is very delicate, therefore,
the apps in the field must guarantee the patient’s privacy is not
violated and that their information stays secure. Reliability is
the ability of the app to keep up with user demand without

27. crashing or experiencing any other restriction. Friendliness is
the difficulty level of the app, if the application is not easy to
use, the target audience will have a hard time understanding
how to use the app and its services. The efficiency is the
capability of the app to effectively do what is supposed to, that
way that no other third-party hardware, software is needed to
complete the tasks expected from its users. Support is the level
of helpfulness provided by the vendor. The vendor is
responsible for troubleshooting any problems or difficulties the
users may face, and aid with updating or upgrading their
services and its components as technology advances.
The following criteria are examples of applications that could
be used in the medical industry based on a Google search and
App stores.
BioDigital
Function: Virtual Reality 3D Human Used to study the anatomy
of the body and description of diseases
Audience: General public, Businesses, Educational and medical
professionals.
Features: Human Anatomy, Human Medical Conditions,
Authoring Tools, Web and Mobile Developer Tools, and
Insights.
Portability: Web, iOS, and Android Mobile devices
Price: Free to the General public, Mobile Only Premium
Plan for $9.99 per year, Web and Mobile Premium Plan for $48
per year
Security: Personal Information secured by Secure Socket Layer
(SSL) and encryption. Not guaranteed security.
Reliability: Infrequent crashes, reports of slow speed
Friendliness: Easy to use after following the application
tutorials
Efficiency: An almost complete modern software for

28. teaching and learning.
Support: Free customer support and self-troubleshooting
provided by the vendor.
Epocrates Plus
Function: Medication Reference.
Audience: Individual Use, Businesses, Healthcare professionals.
Features: Drug Information, Drug Interactions, Referrals
Patient Resources.
Portability: iOS and Android Mobile Devices.
Price: Free, Aprocates Essentials for $174.99 per year.
Security: Data and Transmission encryption using Socket Layer
Technology (SSL).
Reliability: Little to no crashes.
Friendliness: Easy to use and access information.
Efficiency: Acquires information from reliable sources such
as medical journals.
Support: Monday through Friday free customer support by
phone, email, and online chat.
Athena Health
Function: Management.
Audience: Hospitals & Health Systems and Small Medical
Groups.
Features: HER, Practice Management, Revenue Cycle
Management, Patient Engagement, Population Health Services,
Order Transmissions, Patient Access and Care Coordination.
Portability: Web.
Price: $140 per month, per user.
Security: 24/7 On-demand multi-layered high-level security.
Reliability: Very little crashes.
Friendliness: Average
Efficiency: Wide variety of services for hospitals and
medical groups

29. Support: Live locations, 1:1 Meetings, Email, Online Chat,
Phone and Social Media.
UpToDate
Function: Database of Medical Information
Audience: Public, Physicians and Medical Organizations
Features: HER/CME/CE/CPD Integration, Podcasts, Webinars
Portability: Web, iOS, and Android Mobile Devices
Price: Free, $495 per year per person
Security: Basic security, little information provided.
Reliability: Little to no crashes.
Friendliness: Helpful and easy to use and access information.
Efficiency: Gathers data from studies, research, and
journals.
Support: 24/7 Phone customer service.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Function: Database storage with a wide variety of products and
services.
Audience: Small and Big Companies
Features: Computing power, storage, management, services,
security, development, analytics, etc.
Portability: Web and Mobile.
Price: Free Trial, varies based on the resources and
applications used
Security: Security platform network, monitoring, mitigations,
encryption, and testing.
Reliability: Highly reliable, focused on recovery and
prevention.
Friendliness: Complex system
Efficiency: High performance, backed by Amazon.com Inc.
Support: Need an account for support, offers different support
plans

30. Analysis
In summary, cloud computing has an almost infinite amount of
benefits. After analyzing the results from the researched apps
and the different criteria used to evaluate them, it can be said
that most of them can be used by the general public, healthcare
givers like nurses, doctors and pharmacists, small medical
organizations like clinics, and big medical institutions like
hospitals. The ability to use the various features and functions
with more mobility, allows its users to easily get more done
anywhere, at any time through many compatible devices. In
addition, almost all applications researched have a variety of
pricing options based on the needs of its audience, such as what
platform they might use, or the size of the organization, which
makes cloud computing a smart cost-effective service for every
user. Another strength of every application is that it is the best
technology available and it is flexible enough and easy to use to
improve as it advances throughout the years. Moreover, it is a
hassle-free service with the ongoing support of the third-party
provider.
On the other hand, cloud computing and its applications do have
some weaknesses. For more complex systems used in larger
institutions, training might be required. Also, high speeds
internet must always be available because cloud computing
relies on it to work (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, p. 15). Security
in apps with less complexity might be vulnerable to data loss or
damage by internal and/or external sources. Some of the apps do
not have a strong security implementation, while bigger
institutions might lose connectivity and therefore data due to its
complexity. Furthermore, there is little to no local, national and
international security standards for any occasion data is
compromised, and data recovery and backup can be very
intricate (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, p. 16). Although the system
is not perfect, the benefits outweigh the weakness of cloud
computing. Arrangements can be discussed with the cloud

31. service provider to address any concerns and prevent any
unfortunate event from happening.
Overall, cloud computing has demonstrated to be a smart and
intuitive decision that can positively affect the successful
outcome of the medical field. Whether the services needed are
big or small, personal or institutional, cloud computing
application suits the need of any user, especially in the field of
medicine as demonstrated above.
References
Barton, J., Chin, F., Dotson, C., Edwards, M., Greer, M.,
Koumpan, E., . . . Underwood, M. (2017). Impact of Cloud
Computing on Healthcare, Version 2.0. Cloud Standards
Customer Council. Retrieved from http://www.cloud-
council.org/deliverables/CSCC-Impact-of-Cloud-Computing-on-
Healthcare.pdf
Gorelik, E. (2013). Cloud Computing Models. Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, MIT Sloan School of Management and
the MIT Engineering Systems Division. Cambridge: Addison-
Wesley Educational Publishers Inc. Retrieved from
http://web.mit.edu/smadnick/www/wp/2013-01.pdf
Huth, Alexa; Cebula, James. (2011). The Basics of Cloud
Computing. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United
States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Pittsburgh:
Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved from https://www.us-
cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CloudComputingHuthCe
bula.pdf
Lai, W. T., Trancong, H., & Coh, S. (n.d.). Chapter 1 Cloud
Computing. In A Fresh Graduate’s Guide to Software
Development Tools and Technologies (pp. 1-27). Retrieved
from
http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~seer/book/2e/Ch01.%20Cloud%20
Computing.pdf
Masrom, M., & Rahimli, A. (2015). Cloud computing adoption

32. in the healthcare sector: A SWOT analysis. Asian Social
Science, 11(10), 12-18. Retrieved 3 20, 2018, from
http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/47490