Isn’t technology great when you simply push the power button and you’re instantly productive? If you agree, then you’ve experienced the euphoria that results from the synergy of human and machine interaction. However, if you disagree, it’s most likely due to a kink in the system, anywhere between your fingertips and the cloud. Fortunately, Google has introduced a product called Chromebook that will move you one step closer to seamlessly integrating technology into your life.

 

Chromebook is designed specifically to work with the cloud environment. It alleviates some of the headaches associated with traditional personal computers, such as crashes, program updates, viruses, outdated hardware, etc. Even though Chromebook may not currently be ready for enterprise-wide deployment in the accounting industry, the compact, ten-inch laptop has a battery life of over seven hours with built-in Wi-Fi and optional 3G (100 MB of free access from Verizon each month) for connectivity to business resources.

 

This laptop replacement product is great for existing cloud or Citrix clients because it reduces the overall cost of ownership by eliminating the variables associated with locally installed operating systems.

 

Thin-clients have been implemented in Fortune 500 companies since the early 90s; however, the ROI was recovered only in large-scale deployments of thousands of PCs because the cost of terminals was rather high.

 

Chromebooks are available from retail outlets for under $500, and Google offers a subscription that includes a Chromebook, a Web-based management console, and 24/7 support from Google starting at $28 per month for businesses. Even though the upfront cost may seem higher than comparable netbooks or PCs on the market, Chromebook is considerably less expensive than an enterprise-class thin-client device.

 

We’ll be keeping a close eye on future developments of this product, and we may potentially see the ability for ubiquitous access of applications for the accounting industry in the near future.