QuickBooks for Mac Works Great in the Cloud

There are a myriad of reasons why businesses and organizations are interested in running QuickBooks on their Mac. Perhaps the company is multimedia-based and runs Apple’s hardware exclusively but still needs a bookkeeping program. Or maybe the organization simply prefers the Mac interface. Whatever the reason is, it is quickly apparent that the Mac user will encounter problems and limitations with QuickBooks. The biggest problem arises when attempting to interface QuickBooks data between Macintosh and Windows.

A quick perusal of Intuit’s support site will show you the process used to convert QuickBooks for Mac files to QuickBooks for Windows. It begins with preparing the file by removing special characters, deleting all memorized transactions and reports, rebuilding the company file, running detailed reports and editing the memo portions before beginning the 9 step conversion process. Right away it is clear that this isn’t a viable option for file sharing. On top of this, Intuit has reported multiple QuickBooks features that simply aren’t available on the Macintosh platform. If your business is interested in creating an accountant’s copy, using QuickBooks Payroll, utilizing other add-on applications that integrate with QuickBooks, operating online bill pay, setting different prices for the same item, or using Premier or Enterprise Solutions then you simply cannot operate your QuickBooks on a Mac. If any of this applies to your business then it is vital that you consider another option. Perhaps you aren’t interested in switching your operation over to a PC. That’s where the cloud comes in.

Running a hosted version of QuickBooks in the cloud solves the problems associated with company file sharing and data integration between a Mac and PC. InsynQ offers the exact same options for QuickBooks and data hosting regardless of device. This means that the software will run on your Macintosh, PC or tablet the same way every time. When you load your virtual desktop on your Macintosh, what you will see is a Windows desktop running flawlessly on your Mac. Your QuickBooks files and company data will all be there, ready to access from any computer or device connected to the internet at any time. Performance does not suffer one bit. In fact, many Mac users have reported an increase in performance when switching from running QuickBooks locally on their Mac to using a hosted version of the accounting software with a provider like InsynQ.

With InsynQ, you are now able to easily operate a fully working version of QuickBooks on your Mac, plus you have gained the benefits of using QuickBooks in the cloud. The ability to work together between offices in real-time, access your information and programs remotely from anywhere anytime, eliminate frustrating issues such as frequent data backup and security updates, makes QuickBooks more cost efficient for your business. Any business or organization looking to manage their finances with QuickBooks for Mac need look no further than cloud hosting.

Click here to learn more about QuickBooks cloud hosting for Mac.

Reasons To Move Applications Like QuickBooks To The Cloud

Moving your desktop version of Intuit’s QuickBooks to the cloud so you can access it online has obvious benefits. The application was made for, and is needed by, people that are geographically separated but still require access. Aside from that, generally working in the cloud has also proven beneficial for a variety of reasons. It saves money, time and helps businesses be more productive and function more efficiently. But if you still haven’t heard enough about QuickBooks hosting to make you move your desktop version to the cloud, here are some facts about cloud computing that might motivate you to take action.

• The average downtime when running applications in-house is 4X longer than that which is seen with applications hosted in the cloud.
• 53% of professionals move to the cloud due to ease of management.
• IBM estimates that cloud computing can reduce IT labor by as much as 50%, and overall IT costs (including hardware, software, maintenance and energy) as much as 29%.
• The number of businesses utilizing the cloud will jump from 14% in 2010 to over 40% in 2014.
• It is estimated that cloud computing will help reduce data center energy consumption by 38% globally by 2014.

With so many benefits, it makes sense to move your QuickBooks to a hosted platform. Be sure to look for future articles that help businesses and professionals move to the cloud with a provider that offers the hosting services that they need. When it comes to reviewing QuickBooks hosting providers, knowing the right questions to ask is key.

(Data provided by Cloud Computing Outlook, Cloud.com & http://www.quickbookshostingexperts.com)

Accessing QuickBooks While You’re Away From The Office

For Multi-User/Multi-Site/Heavier-Duty Remote Access Needs

by QuickBooks Expert – Scott Gregory

As your business grows, more of your employees will likely need access to the company QuickBooks information while working away from the office. In addition, you may have more than one physical location and each location needs to be centrally tied into the company QuickBooks information.

Potential solutions…
Windows Remote Desktop/Terminal Services – this solution will likely require some IT assistance to set up. However, once it is up and running, it can offer a whole new world of opportunities for your staff to access not just QuickBooks, but all of the computer resources within your business.

There is no monthly or annual fee for the Remote Desktop/Terminal Services solution. However, there is separate licensing that has to be purchased from Microsoft that will run on your server to allow these remote connections to happen seamlessly. You’ll want to connect with your IT provider for pricing on the licenses and installation/setup services.

CRITICAL NOTE: Windows Remote Desktop/Terminal Services is only supported as a remote access option for companies running the Enterprise version of QuickBooks. Some firms have had success running the Pro and/or Premier versions of QuickBooks in this environment, but they have forged their own trail in doing so – Intuit does not support Windows Remote Desktop for the Pro or Premier versions and will not answer any questions pertaining to it.

QuickBooks Hosting Services – instead of setting up your own server and software as explained in the Windows Remote Desktop option above, these third party hosting services do it for you.

By choosing this option, you don’t incur any upfront hardware or software costs (other than the cost of QuickBooks of course). Instead, you pay the hosting company a monthly fee per user to take care of things for you.

This is also referred to as “putting your QuickBooks in the cloud”. Hosting provides you the ability to get to your QuickBooks information 24/7 without the need for IT support costs. Generally, the costs for hosting run about $40-$50/user per month.

Two of the leading companies when it comes to hosting QuickBooks are InsynQ-CPAASP and Right Networks. Be sure to understand their terms of service, fee structure and other important information as you evaluate whether moving your QuickBooks to the cloud makes sense for your business. Many businesses have found the hosted solution to be perfect for their needs and a great way to reduce their IT costs as well.

CAN BE USED WITH: QuickBooks Pro, Premier and Enterprise

Scott Gregory provides a wide variety of QuickBooks solutions and profit improvement techniques to his clients in a relaxed yet very informative manner. For additional information on QuickBooks training and services that he provides, visit www.betterbottomline.com. For additional information and recommendations from Mr. Gregory on QuickBooks remote access options – click here.

How To Move Your QuickBooks Data Files To The Cloud

from the August issue of the CPAASP Practice Development News

Different Intuit authorized hosting providers may have different platforms for delivering your QuickBooks applications and data in the cloud, but the process of transferring your data from a local machine to a virtual one tends to generally be the same.

Since virtual desktops communicate with the local machine it is being accessed with, one of the most common ways to transfer a data file is to copy and paste from a local drive to a virtual drive. For PC users, an example of this would be saving your data file on a local C drive, browsing to it from your virtual desktop, right-clicking and selecting Copy. You can then browse to one of your virtual drives or client files and Paste your data file. In many cases, sorting through drives can be avoided by simply copying the file from your PC desktop and then pasting it directly into the virtual location of your choice.

In short, transferring a data file is basically a Copy and Paste process. One thing to be aware of though, is that the ease of transferring data over the internet depends on how much data you have and what your internet connection is like. Small data files with a good internet connection can take as little as a few minutes. Larger files coupled with poor connectivity could result in a data upload taking as long as an hour.

Some providers offer additional services to assist with larger than average data file transfers. File upload tools can reduce the amount of time a transfer can take, and some firms with many client files may opt to send their provider data files on a disk or drive for uploading. Be sure to let your hosting provider know the total amount of data you plan on moving to the cloud ahead of time to ensure a successful transition.

Learn more about QuickBooks hosting at www.cpaasp.com.

Work In The Cloud & Rent Your QuickBooks License

Working in the cloud with an Intuit authorized hosting provider gives professionals many advantages, including the ability to rent their QuickBooks licenses. Leasing QuickBooks on a month-to-month basis is great for people that upgrade their version every year since it saves time and is more affordable than purchasing a new license every year. It also makes adding temporary employees or outsourced bookkeepers easy. Bundling a QB rental license with a Microsoft Office rental license is a quick, affordable way to get working in the cloud on a Virtual Desktop today.

Maybe it’s time to upgrade your hosted version of QuickBooks Pro or Premier to a currently supported version. Or maybe you’re thinking about moving some or all of your clients and employees that use QuickBooks to the cloud so they can start working from anywhere, anytime and be more productive. Either way, renting a license and hosting your QuickBooks Pro or Premier with can save you time, money and get you safely working in the cloud today.

Click here to learn more about renting your hosted QuickBooks license in the cloud from one of the leading Intuit Authorized Hosting Providers.

Why would a business want to host their QuickBooks in the Cloud?

With all the talk today about cloud computing and working online, you’d think that huge numbers of business owners are migrating their entire operations to Internet applications and platforms.  The value statements of “no upfront costs”, “pay as you go”, and “better collaboration” are the marketing speak for these online solutions, but the actual reasons for adoption may be very different from what you’d expect.  And yes, businesses are moving in droves to the “cloud”, but not necessarily to true web-based applications.

One of the primary drivers for “cloud” adoption is the growing complexity of software and services designed to support the business.   Folks usually don’t mind paying for products, but paying for the services to install, implement, and manage those products isn’t something most small businesses businesses like doing.  Even a solution like Intuit QuickBooks, which was once viewed as a very simple to install and maintain product, has become quite complex in terms of its networking and database manager requirements, connected services offerings, and application integration options.  This increasing complexity in the technology is driving businesses to seek outside IT help to implement, support, and manage software products and computing platforms that were once manageable from within the company.  Rather than paying IT personnel or contractors on a regular basis, businesses are finding that it may be far more affordable (and effective) to totally outsource the IT – infrastructure and all.

Mobility is another huge driver for the adoption of cloud computing and online services.  Application hosting was initially a great approach for businesses with multiple locations that needed to work together, but the model has been extended to address the needs of highly mobile individuals as well as the distributed organization.  Just because a business has only one brick and mortar location doesn’t mean it doesn’t wish to do business from other places, too.  With smart phones getting smarter, and pad computing being a reality, business users know they can have way more than just email on their mobile devices.

While “better collaboration” is also a strong part of the value proposition for a cloud-based or online application approach for the business, the type of collaboration may not be what you’re thinking.  For years there have been tools, solutions, and services which enable “better collaboration” among coworkers and team members (read=document sharing).  However, the online working model potentially enables another type of collaboration – collaboration with outside parties and electronic data exchange with other systems.  Interactions with vendors, customers, even professional service providers, may be more fully enabled through an online working model.  Clearly, public accountants recognize this benefit, and are leveraging it to generate and capitalize on new service opportunities with their clients online.

What’s interesting about the current wave of adoption of online services by small businesses is the realization that some of the fundamental needs of the business – messaging and productivity – are not the drivers for “moving online”.  Certainly, many of these elements were the initial focus for cloud computing vendor offerings – like Google Docs, hosted MS Exchange mail, etc. – but the reality is that businesses are heavily invested in the operational software tools and products currently embedded in the market and are reticent to leave them behind.   Desktop-based solutions, like Intuit QuickBooks for example, are still the cornerstones of many SMB (as well as enterprise) business operations.  Even though there may be web-based alternatives, they often lack the options, flexibility, or usability of these tried-and-true products.  And, sadly, they lack the integrations.

The market wants their familiar software and systems, but they now want them in a new, simple to access and easy to implement manner.  Further, the market demands (continues to demand) that their business solutions integrate, share data and work together… and they want options, lots of options.  This is why businesses want to host their desktop editions of QuickBooks in the cloud, and why so many businesses are electing to use InsynQ-CPAASP for their QuickBooks hosting.

Make Sense?

 

Hosted Applications: Public, Private and Shared Services

Hosted Applications: Public, Private and Shared Services

When managers and owners begin to look at managed services, application hosting, and cloud solutions for the business, how do they know which “flavor” will best suit their needs?  If they don’t really understand what the terms mean, they may not end up with the delivery they intended.  Because there are so many and varied definitions of what “cloud” is, even the terms like public, private, and shared may take on various meanings.  So, in order to try to be as clear as possible, I’ll focus on the application hosting model, and the approaches taken by the community of providers recognized by Sage and Intuit as Commercial Hosts for those respective solutions.

First, a brief description of how the application hosting services generally work:

Your PC becomes the rough equivalent of a “dumb terminal”, which connects to the host servers via the Internet.  On the host systems is where the applications run and the data is stored.  The host computers serve up your “desktop” and/or applications, and store the associated data.

When you connect to the host systems, you might be connecting to a single desktop/application server, or you may be able to connect to multiple eligible systems.

If you can connect to one or more servers with a standard set of applications or services, and if different users from different businesses also connect to these servers, then the solution is generally referred to as being “shared” or “public”.

If you may only connect to the server or environment which has been customized for your organization, then you have what is referred to as a “private” or custom solution.

Generally, “shared” systems are simply servers with a consistent set of applications and services available on them.  Possibly part of a “load balanced” series (where each user is directed to the least-busy server upon login), these shared servers often deliver the services most frequently subscribed or the applications which are most frequently used by the customer base.  Shared services may offer the highest levels of fault tolerance, because there are multiple eligible systems the user can log in to.  If one system becomes unavailable for whatever reason, users may be reconnected or “balanced” to the other servers in the pool, virtually eliminating (or at least significantly reducing) downtime.

Custom deliveries, often referred to as “private”, are really just systems which are designed to carry a specific set of users, applications, services, or some combination of those.  Customers who desire to have a unique mixture of applications hosted, for example, will subscribe to private cloud services, where they can have their selection of solutions implemented without concerns of interactions or interference from other businesses, user groups, or product installations.  Once a business has a “private” environment, it is usually easier to then continue to add customized or new applications to the mixture, as the only community being impacted is the subscriber of the environment.

Regardless of whether or not your desktop and application servers are shared, your subscribed data storage facilities may be positioned differently.  Much of this is due to the requirements of the applications.  Some applications use standard database server environments, such as Microsoft or Pervasive SQL, while others may use more proprietary database or data formats.

The various data service requirements will often be handled by different servers or machines in the network, so your data could easily be distributed amongst a variety of machines, each handling the data requirements for specific data management services or platforms.

Whether or not your data is stored on “shared” servers or systems, it is generally secured and “virtualized” for your organization to prevent visibility and/or access by others.  Centralized storage and management of data is essential to the service provider, and allows for backup, virus protection, data security, and other areas to be addressed efficiently and effectively.  There are other issues, however, which must be weighed against management efficiencies and resource utilization in order to deliver a quality and consistent experience for the customer.

How data is managed by the service provider is key to understanding what fault-tolerance and recovery options you can expect.  Other issues which may impact fault tolerance are revealed in the various methods of approaching data management on the host.  As an example, running multiple SQL database applications may suggest that the service provider should consider using an Enterprise SQL Cluster to increase fault tolerance, density and performance of all hosted SQL databases, rather than approaching each database environment as an individually managed object.  When economies of scale can be developed to increase the overall capabilities, it delivers a more robust experience for the customer and increased efficiencies in the technical environment.

Alternatively, some situations may warrant more, not less, distribution of data services.  The QuickBooks database manager (Sybase) is a great example of an application driving this need.  Because there are a number of issues with the QB database managers, it may make sense for the service provider to have a number of different data silos for QB data, rather than a single large facility.  The effects of database manager crashes and stalls might be mitigated if users are segmented across multiple DB managers.  Distributing the base across multiple DB managers allows for most customers to remain unaffected in the event of failure or crash of one of the DB managers, but also increases the data management requirements and costs for the service provider.

The truth is that there is no single correct approach for delivering hosted/managed application services.  The market, users, and applications, coupled with platform and delivery system factors, provide enough variables that there is not and cannot be (at least, in the foreseeable future), one size which fits all.  There are, however, approaches which deliver consistent and fundamental capabilities to broad market and user bases.  The applications businesses need, and the specific weird and unique requirements of those applications, will continue to drive the varieties of delivery modes and methods which service providers will continue to offer to their business customers.  This is where the trust and experience of the provider becomes essential in understanding how best to craft the underlying technical delivery for each application and customer requirement.

Get more information on hosting solutions for QuickBooks, Peachtree, Simply Accounting and more at www.cpaasp.com

Intuit-authorized Commercial Host for QuickBooks; Sage-authorized Hosting Partner for Peachtree and Simply Accounting; authorized Sage ACT host; Microsoft SPLA hosting provider with Datacenter facilities in the US and Canada.

There’s a lot to be said for inertia… Intuit QuickBooks in the Middle East

A recent article on itp.net reveals that businesses in the Middle East are now more frequently seeking out high value solutions for business accounting, such as Intuit QuickBooks, rather than purchasing “premium brand” solutions… and the reseller channel is feeling the pinch.  The issue is largely one of brand-recognition, and it’s a tough issue to fight.  As the article says, “..when potential customers realise that one-third of all US SMEs run their businesses on Intuit’s QuickBooks software, they begin to appreciate the value of the software”.

It’s also possible that cloud-hosted QuickBooks (such as from cpaasp.com) has made the solution much more available and recognized in other markets… particularly since many of those markets are on the forefront of providing outsourced processing services for US-based businesses.

“Value enterprise publisher Intuit is stealing market share from its more established rivals, as businesses in the region look to cut unnecessary costs, its master partner in the MENA region has claimed.”

“Speaking about the state of the market, managing director of TransNational Computer Middle East, Vijendra Singh said that every week, more and more companies in the region are switching to Intuit-based solutions.”

“More and more people are becoming price sensitive,” he revealed. “Even some of the biggest companies in the market are looking at their bottom line and asking ‘do we really need this premium brand?’”

read the rest of the article on itp.net

Particularly with the ability to have Intuit QuickBooks hosted in the cloud by providers like cpaasp.com, and with the plethora of integrations available to extend the solution, larger businesses are finding that QB actually can do the job for them.

It’s not always about the superiority of the solution… sometimes it’s simple inertia in the market, momentum that has built up over many years and which extends from software developers to consultants and trainers.

It’s also important to consider that tough economic times force folks to sometimes go for less than they may need just because it’s more affordable.  I wouldn’t imagine that the Middle East is immune to economic issues, eh?

Get the complete information on QuickBooks hosting…. don’t believe everything you hear.

With the inception of the Authorized Commercial Hosting program for Intuit QuickBooks, a great deal of competitive messaging was introduced to the market.  Various hosts and providers are marketing for your business, and the same caveats that exist elsewhere in the market exist here in no lesser degree: let the buyer beware.  Due diligence is key to getting the service you really want, and you should listen carefully for the clues that may reveal the underlying truth about the service or provider you’re looking at.

At the Intuit ISP Summit, for example, there was a lot of information floating about regarding “the one and only host for QuickBooks Enterprise”.  Generally, this type of obfuscation by the provider’s marketing department wouldn’t bother me (I see it all the time), but in this case, it is not good information and leaves a lot of channel participants wondering what their realistic options are.  ISPs in particular need to understand their options for delivering QBES products, because that’s the lifeblood and revenue opportunity for the channel.  Selling the solution direct-to-market competes with the channel, and reduces options for implementation and long-term product support.  The hosting community can be a valuable partner in the business model, but it’s important to partner with a provider who understands your motivations and concerns, and who has aligned their service model to your greatest benefit.

My suggestion would be to vet out your potential providers, and ask them about their position or placement in the market and in the Intuit hosting program, as well as doing the necessary investigation into their delivery model, protections, and application and support offerings.  If they tell you that they’re the only ones who can do this… be wary.  You don’t want to start off an important business relationship based on half-truths.  It doesn’t bode well for the long-term.

Truth Number One:  NO Intuit-authorized provider has allowances or grants beyond any other.  This means that each and every hosting company authorized by Intuit as a Commercial Host for QuickBooks can lawfully offer:

1. hosting for QuickBooks Pro and Premier Editions, supported versions only
2. hosting for QuickBooks Enterprise Edition, supported versions only
3. subscription rental (some call it lease) licensing for QuickBooks Pro and Premier editions

Truth Number Two:  Intuit’s website lists the authorized providers and the program general guidelines.

1. The listing can be found at http://www.quickbooks.com/franchisesolutions  and then linking to the “Intuit Hosting Program” tab
2. Authorized QuickBooks hosts, as listed by Intuit, are:

• Right Networks. Telephone: (888) 417 4448
• InsynQ, Inc. Telephone: (866) 206 1781
• Uni-Data & Communications, Inc. Telephone: (718) 445-5600 x3180
• Xcentric Telephone: (678) 297-0190
• Cloud9 Real Time Telephone: (888) 869-0076
• Coaxis International, Inc. Telephone: (850) 391-1022
• myownasp. Telephone: (800) 521-7322
• NovelAspect.com. Telephone: (888) 228-0143
• Swizznet. Telephone: (888) 794-9948
• HarborCloud.  Telephone: (877) 294-2909

Truth Number Three: Intuit has selected a “private label or co-brand” partner to offer limited QBES hosting services under Intuit’s brand.

1. The partner, Right Networks, offers QBES hosting direct to market as a service branded and priced by Intuit… many say in direct competition with the ISP network and reseller channels.
2. Hosting of QuickBooks Enterprise editions is NOT limited to this provider.
   (view additional option for hosting QuickBooks Enterprise)

Got it?

Home-sourcing, Crowd-sourcing, or just Partnering: Outsourcing Can Increase Efficiency and Improve Profitability

out·source (outsôrs, -srs) tr.v. out·sourced, out·sourc·ing, out·sourc·ers. To send out (work, for example) to an outside provider.

Outsourcing certain non-core business functions has become recognized as one approach to improving business process efficiency in terms of cost and personnel productivity. Through outsourcing non-core business processes, many organizations find that they are able to focus their energies, and their financial resources, on building the business rather than facilitating internal business processes. Perhaps outsourcing can provide a similar benefit to your practice – outsourcing IT operations and/or outsourcing mechanical bookkeeping and similar work.

Enabling technologies keep it all under control.

Enabling technologies and services, such as online application services and application hosting from InsynQ, help businesses work closer together in strictly controlled, secure environments. When your outsource partners and providers utilize the same platform that you do, it helps to ensure that client data is secure and well-managed, and keeps all applications and data available to the accountant and client business at all times.

Similar in nature to the information technology outsourcing model, the “e-Accounting” outsource model was created to deliver significant value to the professional accountant, or top-level provider. Understanding that the value of the business relationship is held by this trusted advisor, all supporting services must first deliver value to the accountant.

read the rest at Cloud Accounting 4 Canada