New year, new calling

In the past few days, applications to join Xero’s mobile team have really picked up. It’s heartening to see the enthusiasm out there. People get it. Mobile is nothing less than the next wave of personal computing.

In the ’00s there was a shift from desktop to web, and Xero was part of that evolution. The term start-up is now almost synonymous with some sort of web-based application, even if it’s just a website to take orders. All of our competitors are web-based or getting left behind.

Mobile is the next transition. People are visiting websites and searching application marketplaces on their handsets and looking for mobile equivalents of the online services they currently use and enjoy. They’re using their mobiles as personal way-finders and memory banks, as high-tech extensions of themselves. Eventually, the mobile experience, by necessity, will be on an equal footing with the web experience, and depending on the business it may eclipse it. We’re already starting to see the first cloud-connected businesses where mobile is the primary mode of interaction. Path and Instagram are two recent examples.

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Accelerate 2012

The 3rd annual Accelerate event is all go for February 13 in sunny Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

Accelerate is an event for HiTech entrepreneurs and investors to get to get together in a relaxed environment and share stories. This year we’ve timed it so we can finish the day with Gin Wigmore and friends in the Black Barn amphitheater.

In the first session I’ll kick off with a Xero deep dive covering such things as our funding, building the team internationally, approaches to marketing and hopefully pass on some useful things we’ve learned over the years. We’ll then have another 5 companies doing rapid fire presentations of their businesses and experiences. We have a couple of slots left for those sessions.

So this years program should be useful for companies looking at expanding internationally and/or planning an IPO especially.

You can register at http://0to60.com

How to avoid holiday computer disasters

The holiday season is here and for many it’s time for a much needed break. Before doing so it’s worthwhile taking a few precautions with your computers and other electronic equipment.

While most of us are moving our data to the cloud, there may still be some data that remains on your office systems. Bear in mind that if your router is damaged or desktop computer has gone missing, you won’t be able to access the web.

And even though your systems will spend much of the next fortnight turned off there are still risks such as power surges, fire and theft etc. There’s even the risk of a virus creeping in when you turn things on when you return. So here’s some things to consider before you leave.

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Sniper release

Over the last few months we’ve formed a new team that we’ve called the Sniper Team – and today’s release is a great example of their work.

Left to right: Vicky, Ming, Simon, Hannah (Uli was on assignment and missed photo shoot)

While the rest of the team work on larger headline features, the Sniper team are focused on taking aim at smaller enhancements and fixes.

And it’s amazing how big the impact can be. Take a look at what the team’s been up to.

• Xero will now remember the sort order on the accounts receivables/payables screens
• The total amount due/owed of selected invoices will now display
• Two new reports – customer and supplier invoice summaries
• Budget manager updates – fixed column headings, row totals and full screen support
• Bank rules allow matching on any field
• There’s the option to register an asset and add another one immediately after

And the rest of the team worked on a couple of things too:

• Two new partner feeds for CRT Co-operative and Bartercard (NZ)
• Report Pack updates for New Zealand accountants

Now we know that one man’s sniper rifle is another man’s bazooka, but if you’ve got a small feature you’d love to see, let us know.