Tony Stasiek

As published in Scotsman Guide's Commercial Edition, March 2008.

In adulthood, it sometimes feels as though we have more toys than we ever did as kids.

Maybe we do, maybe we don't. What we likely have is stress, a byproduct of learning the value of utility, the value of frivolity and the true value of balancing the two. Like if a titanium watch has a greater durability or ooooh-ability. Or if the gas mileage on that hybrid really saves on waste and the wallet -- or just makes us feel like we care about those things. Or look like we do.

As one day's gadgets become the next day's business tools, this stress trickles down to the office level daily. What tech tools are out there that we don't know about? Considering the shaky economy, how much should a company invest in new stuff? And is it socially acceptable for a 60-year-old CEO to text-message?

Numerous articles in this month's Scotsman Guide tackle these and other tech issues, including:

• Servicing platforms: In this month's Lead Article, Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC's Benjamin Dubbrin looks at what mortgage professionals can and should expect from a third-party service-provider.
• MISMO: In early February, the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization released three new data standards for 30-day review. EDR Solutions Group's Jack Huntress tells us more about MISMO's past and future.
• Small-balance services: Finding small-balance deals can be a bit more challenging these days. As InterBay Funding LLC's Tom Brubaker writes, however, a lender with the right online tools can make the process easier for all parties.

tony@scotsmanguide.com