2011 Review of CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business — IntelliConnect
The tree is also included in the search box options at the top of the screen. This allows users to narrow the results to only the practice areas upon which they want to focus, such as state tax or international tax search results only. Also newly introduced is an information button next to each item in the browse tree. This button shows a quick description of the general contents within that level. This addition may prove invaluable to new staff or those new to the IntelliConnect research platform.
Regardless of search preference, results are always ranked by relevancy and displayed in separate tabs, similar to tabbed internet browsers in use today. Recent enhancements have expanded the number of tabs to nine, which allows users to perform up to eight different searches at one time. All searches may be saved to the research folder for later recollection. These saved searches may also be accessed through the CCH Mobile app previously described. Accounting and audit content is currently on IntelliConnect, but Accounting Research Manager is not on IntelliConnect.
Customization - 5 Stars
IntelliConnect offers a variety of customization options, each tied to user login credentials. Each user login may choose the appropriate practice area upon which they focus and create search criteria based upon this. Additionally, each user login may control how the screen is viewed upon login, how search results are displayed, as well as an appropriate font size for on-screen reading.
Perhaps the most useful customization option is through Tracker News. Users have granular control over which news they are most interested in. A full license subscription offers over 100 specific areas of content from which to choose. Once Tracker News is configured, the content is then delivered to the user’s email address at a regular, predetermined interval.
The newly redesigned homepage cannot currently be customized, but the ability to customize this page, along with creating specific dashboard-style screens is a planned enhancement. Also coming in the next few months is the ability to further customize the browser tree and the ability to share documents contained in a user’s research folder.
Integration/Import/Export - 5 Stars
IntelliConnect directly integrates with ProSystem fx Tax regardless of subscription level. The integration provides direct access to a variety of research tools, including the Internal Revenue Code, U.S. Master Tax Guides and Tax Prep Partner Series. ProSystem fx Tax users simply enter the appropriate IntelliConnect login credentials in the research configuration options, and the research tools are automatically accessed. IntelliConnect research may be directly accessed through a toolbar icon or a variety of right-click options within ProSystem fx Tax. The underlying research automatically changes based on the screen and/or fields the user is currently viewing.
All documents within IntelliConnect may be exported as text or Word files as well as be converted to PDF. Specific content may be transferred to other document formats through copy and paste functions. Documents may also be emailed directly to other users of IntelliConnect. This functionality may work well when research responsibilities are shared between staff members and respective level of supervisor.
Help & Support - 5 Stars
IntelliConnect includes a number of Help and support options. The login homepage includes direct links for phone, chat and email support. This support level is only available during normal hours of operation, but extended hours are available during the spring and fall busy seasons. Several self-paced Help options are also available from the homepage. At the top of each screen is a link for program Help with traditional options for navigating the program and working with various search options. Webinar training options are also available, though not all options are free. Most paid webinars are an hour in length and may qualify for continuing education credits.
Updates to the system are automatic and require no end-user interaction. All content is updated as new laws and regulations are generated. IntelliConnect also goes through three enhancement cycles per year. All updates and enhancements are included with the user content license.
