Quickbooks Online?

[Fox Valley Virtual Services]

Kathy I agree with you. I think for some it is more a personal preference. I purchased the desktop version for myself because I couldn't justify the online charge. Although I haven't upgraded my personal program to 2008 because of cost, at some point I am sure I will have to.

[AwesomeAssistant]

Hi Kathy,

I believe the value received is worth the cost. It's constantly updated so you don't pay for upgrades each year. There are discount options available also. There's also the convenience of using it wherever you are at and not having to be at your desktop. Of course, this is just my opinion.

[Honeybizzle]

Hi Kathy,

I agree with you it is kind of a moot point if there is an upgrade every year. I have 2 clients using QB online and they love it. If you have used QB desk top it does take a little time getting used to the online version.

Teresa

[kathyh]

I actually purchased the Simple Start version at the beginning of the month, and love it for what I need it for. I also do the books for someone with the 2003 (I think) version, who has never bothered to upgrade.

At the beginning of the month, I started a trial version of QB online for another customer so I could get his P&L to his accountant who had a different version of Quickbooks than I did. But I really didn't play around much with it. It actually didn't seem all that bad to use.

Now I have a new client who is looking to me to start his QB, and organize his financials and I really want to give him alot of information so he can make the decision of which one is for him.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Kathy
Your Virtual Aide

[Office Support Online]

Wow ladies - thank you! I didn't even realise there was an Online version. I have a couple of clients that are asking if I can do the data entry for their sales, raise invoices etc. I use the free version of Simple Start, since I don't have to worry about payroll and have wondered how to do these sorts of tasks without having to be at the client's premises. Looks like I have some more researching to do this weekend. ;-)

[kimbeckers]

Lanel,
Can you please give me some more information about how you have set up your private server.
Is this just for quickbooks or can you share other files as well. Can you set up different areas for different clients?
Is there a monthly fee?

Thanks,
Kim

[lanelt]

Kim, I don't handle the private server -- I have a colleague that rents space on hers to me. I am so technologically behind that I wouldn't even know where to start, unfortunately. But, I'll try to explain it. It's a dedicated server that I log in to with Remote Desktop. I don't know if there's a limit to how many people are on there but I don't think so. Clients get logged in directly to the QB file and only have access to their client folder which just contains their QB data file. I have access to the entire server and can store files, and do other stuff...I can use it just like it's my desktop computer if I needed to. For safety/security reasons the clients only can access their data file in QB.

The online hosting companies I only had access to the QB program and data files.

Hope that answers your question...if not let me know.

[kimbeckers]

Hi Lanel,
I think this makes sense to me it is basically just a place to have quickbooks program and file hosted so that both you and the client have access to it.

Sounds like it works similiar to a go to my pc type set up where you would connect to the clients office computer but instead it is at a remote location for both you and the client.

Do you set up all your clients this way? Does this seem to be the best way for you to do it?

Thanks for your help.
Kim

[lanelt]

Kim,

Yes, it's similar to GoToMyPC except that you don't have to worry about your client being on the computer. With GoToMyPC you have to make sure the computer is available for you to access it, this way I always have access plus my clients and I can be in their file at the same time. Plus, I can shadow them so if they have questions on how to do something I can view their screen and watch help them....which you can do with GoToMyPC also, I know.

Yes, all my client's are done this way with the exception of one who has a dedicated server in his office that I connect to because he uses a different accounting program (not QuickBooks).

For me, yes this is the only way I'll do bookkeeping. The only alternative to them putting their QB on the server I have is for them to provide their own server and their own QB program but none of my clients want to do that.

[kimbeckers]

Thank you very much for that explanation.
This is wonderful. How much does something like this cost you a month if you dont mind me asking?

Thanks,
Kim