TAX-AIDE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE Bob Willis - NTC Chair August 2013 NLT Meeting1 Shorter Version for State Use.

TAX-AIDE

TAX-AIDE

August 2013 NLT Meeting 1

TECHNOLOGYUPDATE

Bob Willis - NTC Chair

Shorter Version for State Use

TAX-AIDEAugust 2013 NLT Meeting 2

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

●New from IRS and TaxWise

●2013 Technology Survey

●Technology Priorities and how to achieve them


IRS Equipment for 2014

●All Depot laptops will have Windows 7 and wireless capability

●IRS is reviewing printer capability for Windows 7


TaxWise 2013 Changes

● Most of CCH Development effort for 2013 is devoted to becoming Section 508 Compliant for the vision impaired - an IRS requirement. • Forms will be accessible by a JAWS (Job Access

With Speech) compliant and other screen readers

● For TWO - Print sets added to send settings


National Technology Priorities

1. Achieve 100% TWO by TY2015

2. Upgrade AARP Provided and Donated Computers to Windows 7

3. Better Printer Configurations & Utilization


TWO Growth & Goals

Tax-Aide will provide Internet “Hot Spots” to help achieve these goals

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Goal 2015 Goal 2016 Goal 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

3%12%

20%

40%58%

80%95% 100%


2013 Top TWO States

TAX-AIDE2013 SMT/TCS Training - Dallas 9

Best TWO Features

2013 Tech Survey Data

Feature Responses

Easier for ERO 195No Updating Needed 170Access from any Computer 97Security, No Locally Stored Data 69No Backup Required 59Easy Setup 53Wireless Capablity 13


2013 Identify Desktop Sites

Use Site list to identify Desktop sites by District Your RC or NTC can provide a site list with return

volume and TWO verses Desktop software Determine Internet status at Desktop Sites

If necessary setup a State Team to visit sites to test available Internet.

If WiFi signal strength is weak in return preparation area try using a range extender.

Recommend LincSys RE1000 or similar Range Extender If Internet is not available or unsuitable, apply

for Hot Spot


2013 Identify Desktop Sites

Determine which Districts need the most help Visit each site with a Laptop and Wireless

Range Extender to test any available WiFi


Windows 7 Upgrade

● In the past year about 50% (4,000) of eligible AARP provided & donated computers were upgraded.

● Since the Inventory was submitted almost another 1000 computers have been upgraded

● There are still almost 4500 computers with Windows XP, and almost another 1000 with either Vista or Windows 7 Home Edition that are eligible to use the donated Windows 7 license

● These computers need to be upgraded NOW, Windows XP will not be an option after TY2013


Windows 7 Upgrade

● Your RC has been provided a by sub-state list of computers that need this upgrade. Most are currently eligible for the upgrade.

● About 10% need to the submit IDC data to become eligible. Send the IDC data to qualify these computers to [email protected]

● Download the Windows 7 image or order DVD from [email protected]

● Install the Upgrade on your eligible computers

mailto:[email protected]


Printers

• Both the 2011 and 2013 Technology Surveys showed there is a national problem with Printer Installations

• We also believe there is a problem with some sites using printers that are not intended for their higher volume sites.


TaxWise Desktop Printing

Stand Alone Networked0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

786

319

Non-Networked vs. Networked TWD

Non-Networked TWD Printers


On Every Computer

Move Printer

Electronic Switch

QA Computer

0

50

100

150

200

250

214 200

140

90


TaxWise On-Line Printing

Share

d on Computer

N

etworked w

ith Route

r

W

ireless

Q

A Computer

W

ith Every Compute

r

M

ove Printe

r0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

399

250 227 198 15687



Improve Printer Use

●Multiple printers and moving printers from computer to computer at your sites needs to be eliminated

●Updated training material on printer setup is available and needs to be used.


Printer Considerations

• These are the primary considerations that should be reviewed when assigning printers to your sites.• Sites return volume• Printer Capacity - tax returns per toner cartridge• Does the printer support networking

– Wired / Wireless /Both• For higher volume sites…

• Does the printer support larger toner cartridge sizes



Printer Recommendations by Site Return Volume



For Example● The convenience and small size of the

wireless HP 1102w is not a good match for higher volume sites.

● The HP 1102w is not designed for high volume printing.

● It is very expensive to constantly replace the toner cartridge on this printer, and it’s reliability could become a problem.



• How can you be more effective NOW?• Examine your current printer inventory by site• Identify sites that currently utilize multiple

printers that can be replaced with a networked printer

• Determine which sites can best use your network and larger toner cartridge printers

• You can add a print server to existing non-network printers to better utilize both wired or wireless networking and large toner cartridges


TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Questions ???

TAX-AIDE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE Bob Willis - NTC Chair August 2013 NLT Meeting1 Shorter Version for State Use.

Documents

taxaide windows

taxaide printers

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