ANTenna Blog -- Mobile

In the future, all communications will be handled via texting. For now, we'll have to make do with filling out our expense reports via text message, courtesy of TextHog.

Okay, so I'm not first person to write about this new service that lets you text data -- like your expenses -- directly to your accounting software. But I couldn't resist commenting on TextHog's ability to be really cool, potentially useful, and slightly creepy all at the same time.

Basically, all you do is set up a free account and then text your transactions to the service, and you can then export the data as a .CSV file and import it into your company's accounting software, including Quicken, QuickBooks, or an Excel spreadsheet. The company says it's working on more advanced exporting capabilities.

You can tag and categorize transactions for easier organization, and you can track groups, set reminders, and attach reciepts to transactions. You can log on from your computer to clean up the data, if necessary. TextHog offers reports on trends, spending, and budgets, as well as yearly roll up reports.

So why is TextHog creepy? Well, using your cell phone to submit your expenses certainly could be convenient, but also a bit uncomfortable. I mean, there you are after a long boozy dinner with clients, trying to hit all the little tiny keys to make sure you don't forget to file your expense report. Could be distracting, and not particularly secure, either (although you don't have to input sensitive information like account numbers).

My initial opinion is that TextHog might be good to help you remember to claim expenses you might otherwise forget, but it's no substitute for saving receipts and such -- especially since many companies require receipts before they will reimburse you. Still, the service is free (paid services are in the works for later), so it could be worth the trouble if it helps you remember even a single significant expense.

Oh, and apparently you can also send in your transactions via email, but where's the fun in that?