To the Cloud!

Yesterday, my firm launched a virtual server with Cloud9 Real Time.  I've been hosting QuickBooks desktop software with them for about a year.  That solution worked well for me, my staff and my clients, but we were still using a variety of other tools and I was still having to maintain a server in my office.  Recently, I made the decision to move all of my Windows applications and client data to a dedicated virtual server with Cloud9.  This will help my firm in several ways:

1.  Provide a consistent user platform for all my firm users whether they are working in or out of the office and whether they use a PC, a Mac, or even a Linux computer.

2.  Consolidate all of my client data on a secure dedicated server with rigorous backups and contingency planning to minimize service disruption.

3.  Create an environment that can be customized for interaction with specific clients as we continue to grow.

Some of my users will continue using the cloud as they did the shared environment. They can log in via a browser  and see an "e-dashboard" to launch their QuickBooks files:

For the rest of us, who need to access multiple applications and interact more directly with client data for multiple clients, we will login via Microsoft Remote Desktop Connect (for Mac or Windows).  This provides a virtual computing environment that looks like a rather homely but familiar Windows desktop:

We are just getting familiar with our new work environment and how we will modify our workflows to accommodate it.  I'd love to hear how other CPA firms and businesses are going to the cloud.  I'll post more as we get up and running.

QuickBooks Online: Now for Mac!!!

Mac users have until now been shut out of using QuickBooks Online Edition. Intuit has now rolled out a beta version for Mac users. It is free to sign up and you can even set up a free simple start company using the online service. Safari is the only browser that will work with QBOE on the Mac and the version 4 beta of Safari is not supported. For more information, go to http://oe.quickbooks.com

QuickBooks for Mac: Where's the Love?

I just renewed my QuickBooks pro advisor program for 2008. I use QuickBooks to account for my business but also to perform accounting services for several small business clients. The Premier Accountant Edition for Windows is an outstanding product. I also use this product to track my time chargeable to clients and for billing. Nearly all my bills go out by email. This has been an amazing time saver for me compared to traditional methods of tracking time and billing clients. I also use Macs in my business and some of my clients are Mac users as well. So, typically, at this time, I'm also buying a license for the upgrade to the QuickBooks Pro for Mac version as well. To my surprise, there is NO QuickBooks Pro for Mac 2008 edition, at least not yet. The rep I spoke to said that, if one was released, there would be no change from the 2007 version except maybe to accept both 2007 and 2008 data files like the new version for Windows does. I was hoping for continued improvement on swapping files between the Mac and PC version and for multi-user support. Come on, Intuit! Show Mac users some love! Isn't the Intuit guy on Apple's board?