Messaging is all over our universe – text, twitter, social, and even voice. Making use of this in a business context is under investigation by many sources. Most business use of text messages today centers on brand awareness from large companies selling consumer products. This is an extension of advertising campaigns.

A new service harnesses the text messaging platform for potential uses by CPAs on a business or personal basis. Cherple, www.cherple.com, provides a facility to develop truly interactive text messaging to and from mobile phones. In addition, the text message can even be sent from a computer by accessing Cherple’s website and sending a text message to a cell phone.

CPAs should always explore how to communicate with clients and staff in new and creative ways. For example, personalized text messages can replace blast emails that never get read. Sending a short message enables the receiver to respond and automatically receive an immediate follow on message with text and/or images. This process can facilitate sending images of tax or regulatory forms when the client is away from their computer. Alerts about emergencies requiring immediate response can be set up easily.

The frequency of technology change ranges from annually to hourly. Emerging technology products and services announced today can quickly migrate from concepts for tomorrow to ideas from yesterday. In no way does this mean that the new will always replace the old. Changing what you use is not a requirement. One can choose to ignore the new and stay with what is currently in operation. However, often times, change provides an upgrade, an improvement or enhancement to what is being done now. In some cases, change may provide an opportunity for increased revenue or decreased expenses or both.

We are experiencing dynamic changes as new technologies emerge. For example, RIM’s Blackberry and Apple’s iPhone changed the way we use cellular communications – as much more than just a telephone. In 2009, cellular phones are replacing land lines and Smartphones are replacing cellular phones. So there is a trail of technology emerging, growing and giving birth to new capabilities and new opportunities. Even with these changes, there are lots of people still making effective use of landlines and cellular phones.

Construction companies have struggled through this current mess of an economy. Whether you think this economy is a depression or a recession or a catastrophe, there are many things that CPAs can and should be doing to assist companies to improve and support their methods and procedures. The construction industry is one such group that CPAs can help with guidance and support.

CPAs have capabilities and talent to develop and implement systems that collect, categorize and analyze data from company operations. While this typically starts with the overall accounting system, the detail transactional analyses include all aspects of the company operations from historical analysis to long-range planning. Not every CPA has construction company clients and therefore may not be interested in this information. However, as the economy recovers over time, it is clear that construction of all types will recover – residential building, commercial building, highways, bridges and tunnels, transportation centers, local roads, and more. Renewable energy facilities will be undergoing major new development and building. And there are all over the remodeling and fixing of older buildings and facilities.