2011 Review of CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business — IntelliConnect

CCH - IntelliConnect
888-224-7377
CCHGroup.com

BEST FIT:

Tax, accounting and legal professionals who need a wide range of research options.

STRENGTHS:

• New categorized view groups data in easy-to-use chunks
• Up to 8 simultaneous searches on one screen
• Multiple ways of getting the same answer

POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:

• Integration only achieved with solutions in the ProSystem fx Suite of products

From the December 2011 Review of Tax & Accounting Research Systems

IntelliConnect is the tax and accounting research product offering from CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business. IntelliConnect features a number of new enhancements for the current year release. Upon login, users are greeted with a new homepage that features updated news, direct links to popular content and resources, and links for training and support. Users may also now go directly to code sections directly from the search bar. Other enhancements have been made with the intent of generating faster answers for tax, accounting and legal professionals.

Basic System Functions - 5 Stars
IntelliConnect is an internet-based research solution accessed through today’s modern browsers. Upon login, a new homepage is displayed on the right side of the screen with a folder tree that is based on content subscription shown on the left side. Both of these screens may be resized through a vertical divider bar. Above the folder tree, is a list of other tools, including a news option and a direct link to saved document research.

A search bar is at the top, along with various links to search history, preferences and Help options. The search bar and other various links remain visible throughout the program, regardless of which screen users are currently viewing.

CCH has also released two options for mobile devices. For iPhone/iPad and BlackBerry users, the CCH Mobile app is available. IntelliConnect users may use this app to perform research across the Internal Revenue Code, Smart Charts, US Master Tax Guide and Tracker News. All content is delivered in a mobile-friendly format. Also, many enhancements have been made to scale the app appropriately for tablet users.

Currently, an app is under development for Android devices that will access the same content. Recently released is the IntelliConnect Mobile app, which is currently exclusive to iPhone/iPad users. This app provides a variety of tax, accounting and legal news. Both apps are fee to download, but users must have appropriate login credentials to access the CCH Mobile app.

Content - 5 Stars
The backbone of IntelliConnect relies on search, and a variety of search options are available. The most logical search starting point is the search bar located at the top of the screen. Users simply enter a search term and IntelliConnect displays the results. A tax thesaurus is built into the system, which allows users to enter general tax topic phrases. This helps eliminate erroneous search terms and results.

New for the current year is a categorized view. When users use the search bar, the results are now displayed in categorized groups. This option is turned on by default but may be toggled on or off through a checkbox option at the top of the search results screen. When categorized view is turned on, a list of links is displayed directly above the search results. Users simply click on a link and are taken directly to that category of search results. Currently, each category defaults to a maximum of three results per search. Users may expand these results by choosing an appropriate category and selecting the view all option.

Another popular way to search is through the browse tree on the left part of the screen. This browse tree is largely dependent on the content subscription level and is also generally for users that are more familiar with content location. New for this year, is the ability to create a specific practice area. At the top of the browse tree is a link that allows users to create their own specific tree.