QuickBooks Online

Software: QuickBooks Online (QBO)

Here are few questions asked by the user who attended the QuickBooks Online  (QBO) Seminar:

  • Where to get a Trial for QuickBooks Online?
  • Must I migrate from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online version?
  • What so good about QuickBooks Online comparing to QuickBooks Desktop version?
  • How to migrate from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online version?

 

Where to get a Trial for QuickBooks Online?

Unlike QuickBooks Desktop version, which you can download and install onto your computer, QuickBooks Online needs you to create an account first before trying out the software (as it is a Cloud solution, no software will be installed onto your computer). You can create a trial account from http://quickbooks.intuit.sg/

 

Must I migrate from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online?

No. It is not a must for QuickBooks (Asia) user to migrate over to QuickBooks Online.  QuickBooks Asia user can still upgrade to the latest QuickBooks 2011/12 (Australia) version. User can contact Solarsys (www.qb.sg) for an upgrade detail.

 

What so good about QuickBooks Online comparing to QuickBooks Desktop version?

QuickBooks Online is a Cloud solution, which uses a browser to access your software. Cloud solution is great as you can access your software and data anywhere, anytime as long as you have an Internet connection.  You don’t need to install your software onto your computer nor require spending money on a server to manage your data file for multi-user access. This solution looks ideal for SOHO, as initial investment is low.

However, being on the web, QuickBooks Online (Singapore version) at this moment does not have features, which was on the Desktop version, such as Payroll, Product, Jobs and Advance Template Design (Online version only have basic design feature).  I believe, QuickBooks Online will improve, they are here to stay, but it will not be instant as what some of the user may think. If you like the concept of being in the Cloud, then, be patient … wait.

The biggest obstacle a user had, which I believe, is hosting your data on the web. Most of the users still prefer to host the accounting data in-house. Although, Singtel and Intuit reassure the security concern, this still not addressing the user needs. Besides, being told that your data will be deleted if you stop paying makes the user uncomfortable. You have to continue paying in order to access (even read only), if you decided to stop using QuickBooks Online and move on to a higher end accounting software have make the user think twice. Maybe, Intuit should consider charging user just a minimum amount (maybe just fraction of the normal price) to keep your data “dormant”.

 

How to migrate from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online version?

No, you cannot migrate your QuickBooks Desktop data into QuickBooks Online.  Unless the market is big enough, or else, I don’t think Intuit or third party developers will consider developing a tool for migration.

 

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