Here are five things that happened in the tech industry this week and how they impact your business. Were you lonely?
1 – Best free tax software for tax filing.
For those who haven't yet filed their 2023 taxes, ZDNet has listed the best paid tax preparation software. CashApp Taxes was named the “Best Overall” software for filing both state and federal taxes for free. It is also mentioned that the system is easy to use, but there is no support service if you run into any issues. H&R Block is also recognized for its long-established guidance on tax preparation and support teams. The IRS-approved TaxAct is named for its assistance with items such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and unemployment income. (Source: ZDNet)
Why this is important for your business:
All are good choices and can be a good solution for your business. Please note that using these applications still takes time and does not mean you have free time. We also strongly recommend that you have your tax documents reviewed by a certified public accountant before submitting them. Taxes have become so complex these days that even if you have the technology, it's often better to outsource to a professional.
2 – Microsoft will unbundle Office and Teams worldwide after years of criticism.
Starting April 1, new Microsoft 365 subscribers will need to separately sign up for the collaboration tool Microsoft Teams. Based on strong opposition from competitors such as Slack, which sparked an antitrust investigation by the EU, Microsoft chose to stop incorporating Teams into its 365 suite of applications. It is currently available in different plans starting at $4 per month. The concerns raised by our competitors have been placed on record by the European Commission and are upheld by the European Commission. “The European Commission is concerned that Microsoft may give Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice of whether to include access to its products… Existing customers who own the bundle have been informed that their subscription will not change. (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your business:
This is not the case for US companies, but who knows if this will happen in the future? I think it makes sense for many companies to make Teams available as a separate app from Office. Especially if you're a Google customer but want to use Teams exclusively without the cost and complexity of the full Office suite.
3 – Go “AI first” with Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and a fast food innovation software company.
Fox Business reported. wall street journal Article featuring Yam! Brands behind businesses like Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken talked about their current plans to use AI to make their fast food services hyper-efficient and automated. Joe Park, Yum's chief digital and technology manager, said the company's high-tech investments have increased significantly over the past four years. (Source: Fox Business)
Why this is important for your business:
The article included an app developed by the company called “SuperApp” that manages employee shifts and provides answers to restaurant-related questions. According to the report, the app is used in more than 8,000 KFC and Pizza Hut stores. Big brands are investing in AI apps to improve productivity and fill their already hard-to-find workforce. Expect to see more similar apps available to small businesses in the not-too-distant future.
4 – Salesforce announced the beta availability of Einstein Copilot for Tableau, the AI assistant that helps everyone become a data expert.
Data analytics platform Tableau now includes a beta version of Einstein Copilot, which allows users to “dive deeper into your data,” Salesforce said. (Source: Salesforce)
Why this is important for your business:
Einstein Copilot debuted in February of this year as a conversational assistant programmed to provide a comprehensive understanding of enterprise data. Tableau helps businesses see that data and makes it more accessible. Einstein powers data mining tasks using “Tableau's powerful analytic engine that queries through natural language and unlocks rich insights,” as described on Salesforce's page. Einstein also includes Einstein Trust Layer, a security tool that protects sensitive information while adjusting AI results to maintain accuracy.
5 – OfficeSuite Review: A Fair Alternative to Microsoft Office (Low Price).
How-To Geek reviewed OfficeSuite as a good tool for people who want to try something other than Microsoft Office. Follow the link to see the full review. (Source: How-To Geek)
Why this is important for your business:
This is an inexpensive option and reads/accepts Microsoft Office or OpenOffice files (“cross-compatible”) according to reviews. Additionally, its apps are similar to those in Microsoft Office, making it a user-friendly transition. One of the main differences is in certain features such as inserting tables. Another issue is that Mac users will not be able to see all OfficeSuite apps on macOS (which will be worked according to OfficeSuite). Other highlights include built-in AI assistant and his OfficeSuite slide organization and support for old content/slides.