Monday 22 October 2012

Introduction to Android Technology

Android technology is used in mobile computing devices and is among the fastest growing mobile technologies in use. Many business and personal users manage their work and personal communications on Android devices. The Android system provides users with a range of standard applications, with many more available for download and installation. Android devices facilitate communication, Internet, social media, business, productivity and leisure activities. Many companies target the Android platform with mobile apps, providing Android users with access to commercial and other services.

Operating System

Android is a mobile platform, with versions of the Android operating system running on millions of devices across the globe. Multiple versions of the Android operating system have been released since the platform launched. Users of devices with the Android system installed can access communication functions such as mobile telephony and text messaging. Android devices are also enabled for Internet access, either through wireless networks or through the mobile network in the case of smartphones. Since Android devices provide Internet access, users can utilise Web services such as email, Web browsing and social networking.

Devices

Android runs on mobile computing devices, particularly smartphones and tablet PCs. These devices use interaction through touch screens, in conjunction with buttons and sometimes trackballs, although this varies between devices. The screen sizes on Android devices vary from small smartphones up to larger tablets. Although the tablet market is increasing, Android is run primarily on smartphones, so Android devices typically facilitate telephony functions. Since Android runs on mobile devices, many apps for the platform are designed to facilitate mobile connectivity.

Applications

Devices running the Android system ship with a variety of basic applications pre-installed. These basic applications include those for making phone calls, sending text messages and managing contacts, as well as Internet applications for emailing and browsing the Web. Android users can also install additional apps from the Google Play store. Google Play is the official marketplace for Android apps. Some of the apps are free to download and install, with others available commercially at a fixed price in the user's currency. Google Play features a wide range of applications for business, entertainment, productivity, office and other organisational tasks.

Development

Software developers can create apps for the Android marketplace, releasing them through the Google Play store so that users can purchase them. Android developers write apps in the Java programming language, with certain application resources defined using XML markup. Some apps also involve other technologies such as SQLite for database development. To create Android apps, developers download and install the Android Developer Tools and SDK (Software Development Kit). The tools are designed to work with the Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Once an app is ready for deployment, the developer can export and publish it through the Google Play store, with various signing and versioning requirements that must be met before an app can be made available for download.

References

Android Developers: Welcome

Monday 8 October 2012

Accounts Payable Spreadsheet in Excel - How To

Anyone who runs a business needs to keep track of any outstanding amounts owed to creditors. With a spreadsheet, you can track and manage accounts payable for your business, ensuring that you meet your financial obligations and keep your business on track. Accounts payable spreadsheets can also provide a useful reference if you encounter any queries about past payments later on. Creating an accounts payable spreadsheet requires a few steps that anyone can carry out, even if you have no experience with accounts.

1

Open Excel and create a new workbook. In Excel, select "New" from the "File" menu then choose "Blank Workbook" from "Available Templates." In the worksheet that opens, enter a heading for each data item you want to store for each accounts payable record, adding each heading to a cell in the top row. Common data items to record for accounts payable include the date an invoice was received, the creditor, for example using any account or invoice reference numbers you have, the amount and when the payment is due. You can also include a column representing the date on which an amount has been paid if you wish to keep records in the spreadsheet after payment occurs. In this case you would need to update the amount in the column representing funds owed when you settle a payment.

2

Enter some accounts payable data. Add some actual records to your spreadsheet so that you can be sure you have all of the rows and columns you need. Try to use real data from your accounts, including the reference numbers or other identifiers you use within your organization to refer to the creditors in question. If you find that you do not have sufficient columns, you can add new ones by right-clicking within the worksheet and choosing from the Insert menu. Add a new heading at the top of any new columns you insert.

3

Perform calculations on your data. You can use spreadsheet functions to apply calculations to your accounts payable data. For example, you may wish to include a cell in which you calculate the total amount currently outstanding to your creditors. You can do this by selecting all of the values in the column representing the amounts owed, plus an empty cell under them, then clicking the AutoSum button. The new cell will automatically update to include the total of amounts listed in the spreadsheet. For this total to remain accurate, you will need to update records as you make payments to settle any amounts listed in the spreadsheet.

Notes
  • You can use an accounts payable spreadsheet in conjunction with other spreadsheets for your business, for example to keep a running total of the liability amounting from your outstanding bills.
  • If you plan on using the accounts payable spreadsheet as your main reference for making payments to creditors, you must ensure you enter each amount owed as you receive bills or invoices.


Related
Microsoft Office: Basic Tasks in Excel 2010