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Technology Update Regional Meetings– Nashville October 2010 Bob Willis – NTC Chairman

Discover the latest in tax technology updates for AARP Tax-Aide. From software upgrades to wireless expansions, stay informed about the advancements in this industry. Join regional meetings and benefit from expert insights.

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Technology Update Regional Meetings– Nashville October 2010 Bob Willis – NTC Chairman

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  1. Technology Update Regional Meetings– Nashville October 2010 Bob Willis – NTC Chairman

  2. Technology Update • Depot Laptops • TrueCrypt Upgrade • Tune-up, Upgrades & Images • Updating the Extranet & Documents • TCS Conference Calls • TaxWise 2010 Enhancements • TaxWise On-Line (TWO) & Networking • New TWO Wireless Options

  3. Depot Laptops Computer Image Most of our suggested changes to the image were made Tune-Up Document is on the Extranet Some IRS Computers have wireless capability Wireless will be enabled if computer has it

  4. TrueCrypt Upgrade • A TrueCrypt Upgrade in beta-test • Uses Current TrueCrypt ver. 7.0 • Ver. 7.0 will open prior TC Versions • In addition to Password Change Utility, there is now Utility to Change Volume Size • Upgrade will be Recommended for all Tax-Aide Computers

  5. Tune-ups, Upgrades & Images Re-Image AARP Tax-Aide Computers Propose re-imaging (Windows XP) on the HP 6110s & 6310s this year Very low cost Consistent national image – much easier than the multipage tune-ups Finalizing Image contents and will make available for Beta Testing soon

  6. Tune-ups, Upgrades & Images Windows 7 Upgrades Suggest upgrading Dell Vostro 1520 this year TechSoup Win 7 software costs $8 No additional memory required Tax-Aide can provide an image to avoid have to individually reinstall the software programs

  7. Updating Extranet & Documents Revising Technology Tab of Extranet Will feature an Index with links to specific subjects and documents. Both Guidelines and How-To documents will be included. Will not include the TMG, just the topics. (it was not printed last year) How-to and other documents are being updated. Some already posted.

  8. TCS Conference Calls Started a series of monthly TCS conference calls in September September call was on TrueCrypt and TWO Wireless Options October will be on Tune-ups, Imaging and more TWO Wireless Topics for future calls will be solicited from the participants

  9. TaxWise 2010 and Support Beta Testing of TaxWise 2010. Selected members of NTC will be Beta testing the new software during 1st week of October Access to Higher Level Support Selected members of the NTC will have direct access to CCH Technical Support for questions submitted through taxaidetech@aarp.org

  10. TaxWise 2010 Enhancements We don’t have a formal response to our TaxWise Enhancement request, but most TWO requests have been made to TaxWise 2010 Becoming compliant with the new IRS processing system - Modernized eFile (MeF) is a major task for TaxWise 2010

  11. TaxWise 2010 Enhancements Three additional Preparer Use Fields are added to the Main Information Sheet in both Desktop and TWO. One of which will be used for our national reporting of QR. Override can be disabled at preparer level Interactive Interview. The preparer can toggle back and forth between the Interview and the Tax Forms. CCH claims the Modem Communication problems are resolved. Desktop Changes

  12. TaxWise 2010 Enhancements Contact Sensitive Help will be available Time-out Reminder 5 min. before shut down New User Roles added - Reviewer, E-file Manager New Hot Keys for… Move Curser to next Entry Insert & Remove Rows - Statements & Worksheets User defined Printing of State Forms Custom Templates for tax form Defaults TWO Changes

  13. Networking & TWO Interest nationally in TWO still appears to be high Still need to Promote more use of both TWO and Networking TWO ‘Promo’ bulletin was released last month - they include: Desktop vs. TWO Comparison Updated TWO FAQs New TWO Wireless Overview

  14. Networking & TWO • Promote at State Meetings • If TWO is not an option you should Network sites with 2 or more computers • Use TWO Training and Practice Lab websites to Practice Online • Prior year TWO Training website has State software for practicing

  15. Advantages of TaxWise Online • Reduced Tax Preparation Burden • No installation on individual computers program maintained on CCH server • No updates required – updated by CCH • No need to backup, restore or transmit returns – data already at CCH

  16. Advantages of TaxWise Online • Improved Security • No data stored locally on individual computers - secured facility stores all data • Intrusion detection – CCH uses software to reduce threat of hackers • Access from any computer with proper identification and Broadband Internet • Immediate availability – nothing to install • Ideal for Using Site Provided Equipment

  17. Advantages of Networking • Reduced Tax Preparation Burden • Fewer computers to setup and maintain • Eliminates need to copy returns from multiple computers for transmission • Provides easy method to print from all computers • Improved Security • Fewer computers with taxpayer data

  18. 2009 Network & TWO Survey

  19. 2009 Network & TWO Survey • Overall results showed almost 2/3rds of sites still use standalone computers. • Wide variation by State and Region States 0% to 100% - Regions 3% to 56% • Others Network for Printing • Next step to Network TaxWise is easy. • Ratio needs to be flip-flopped • Your Volunteers will Thank You for making their job easier.

  20. 2009 Network & TWO Survey

  21. 2009 Network & TWO Survey

  22. 2009 Network & TWO Survey

  23. 2009 Network & TWO Survey

  24. Wireless TWO for TaxWise 2010

  25. Wireless TWO for TaxWise 2010 • Can Use a site’s unsecured wireless signal. • Router recommended (but not required) • It can be locally provided and programmed. • AARP Tax-Aide and IRS provided laptops can be used without restrictions.

  26. Wireless TWO for TaxWise 2010 • NEW Personal, donated and site provided computers only require two simple on-line security scans to qualify for use. • Norton Security Scan (scans for malware & general vulnerability to hackers) • SecuniaOnline Software Inspector (OSI),(insures that security related programs are up to date) • Both scans run in Seconds, and nothing is actually installed on the computer

  27. Technology Update - Summary • Encryption is a Must for all computers with taxpayer data • Encourage the use of new Images and Win 7 to update AARP provided Computers • Promote and Encourage more sites to use TWO, and Network when TWO is not an option

  28. QUESTIONS??? Technology Update Thank You Bob Willis – NTC Chairman

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