Switching to cloud technology for the better is good for the growing businesses. Many of them otherwise feel lost on not knowing much about the trends. If this sounds like you, you need not worry. Cloud technology is growing at a tremendous pace and end-user spending on public cloud services is expected to reach $591.79 billion by 2023 (Source).
Particularly to QuickBooks accounting software, a majority of accounting professionals and tax firms now use cloud-based QuickBooks. If you have never thought of making the transition to the cloud with QuickBooks hosting before, this may sound like a very big business decision for you.
Of course, you do not want to feel off-track in terms of QB user interface access or functionalities. Fortunately, nothing like that happens once you host your licensed QuickBooks on the cloud.
Wondering if QuickBooks is really cloud-based now? Let us help you make sense of the cloud hosting process by giving you a guide to better understand the need for QuickBooks cloud hosting.
Ways to Access QuickBooks Software
Currently, there are three ways in which QuickBooks software can be accessed:
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QuickBooks desktop installation
This is the traditional method of using QuickBooks that requires the user to first install it on a local computer system after purchasing a valid license. Once the software installation and configuration process is completed, he/she can start accessing it for various business tasks. While this was quite popular in the initial days of QuickBooks launch, it has various limitations in the current world scenario connected with the power of the Internet. These include:
- Inability to access software on any device other than the one on which it is installed
- Lack of remote software access that is quite needed in the flexible work environment expectations across the globe
- Affected team collaboration because of disconnected work processes between multiple team members
- Higher risk of data security unless backed by the deployment of on-premise security measures
- Loss of productive time and effort that could otherwise be spent on other business-related tasks
This takes us to the next way to access cloud-based QuickBooks.
2. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based accounting software version offered by Intuit – the QuickBooks software maker. It is based on the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model under which one can buy a suitable QBO plan and start accessing it via any Internet-connected device of your choice. This does not require you to buy the license of QB software separately. The amount payable will be as per the plan you select.
While QuickBooks Online aims to replicate every feature of QuickBooks desktop accounting software, many of its features are not similar to the desktop version. Besides this, you will get the benefits of cloud technology backing the software, such as remote software access, cross-device compatibility, better security, and others.
While it might seem like a better version of QuickBooks, it also has certain limitations:
- The features and interface of QB Online are quite different from the desktop version, which may make many users go through the learning process to get accustomed to using this version.
- Many users also face slower performance of QuickBooks Online, particularly during multi-user access.
- You may also face restrictions related to QuickBooks add-on compatibility with the QB Online version.
Thinking if there are any other alternatives available as well? Indeed, there is, in the form of QuickBooks cloud hosting.
3. QuickBooks Hosting
Unlike the previous ways of accessing QuickBooks software, QuickBooks hosting is different. It allows you to utilize the power of QB desktop software and combine it with cloud benefits. In simple words, QuickBooks hosting allows hosting your licensed QB software on a third-party cloud servers to help overcome various limitations of accessing it in a local IT environment. At the core, the desktop software files that are hosted on your local computer are moved to a cloud server, thus freeing up both space and computing power at the user’s end.
The cloud-based QuickBooks becomes remotely accessible from any device of your choice from anywhere at your convenience. It also means you can work on it when you are at home if needed.
Here’s what makes QuickBooks cloud hosting better than the other modes of QB access:
- Since the same QB desktop software is hosted on the cloud, there will be no change in the features or interface. This is different from QuickBooks Online where some form of feature and UI change does happen.
- It also benefit the user from accessing the cloud-hosted data along with multiple team members at the same time and making changes simultaneously. This can save a lot of time and will ultimately lead to higher productivity at work.
- There is nothing to worry about data security once you have hosted QuickBooks on the cloud with the help of a renowned cloud provider. The pre-deployed security measures on dedicated cloud servers will keep your data secure.
- It is easy to recover data if it is lost in case of an accident or natural disaster. Most reliable cloud hosting providers like Ace Cloud Hosting offer a rolling backup of 30 to 45 days to enable streamlined data backup and business continuity during challenging times.
- With QuickBooks cloud hosting, a significant amount can be saved that would otherwise be spent on setting up or upgrading the on-premise environment. One can even upscale or downscale the plan whenever the need arises.
Now coming back to the question raised above, QuickBooks is only cloud-based if the right alternative to QuickBooks desktop software is selected. Both cloud-based QuickBooks and QB desktop versions are available these days and it is up to you to decide which way you want to go. The right decision should be based on your business needs – both present and futuristic.
Here’s Why You Should Switch to QuickBooks Hosting
- If the lack of remote software access is causing hindrance to business growth plans and making you lose productive time, you should switch to cloud-based QuickBooks.
- QB hosting is quite beneficial in financial terms as it does not require upgrading the existing IT environment. You can simply select a suitable hosting plan and proceed with accessing the cloud environment.
- You want your team of accounting professionals to give their best but somehow you feel like the current IT setup does not allow them to do so. This is where cloud-hosted QuickBooks can be of great help.
If you are worried about the availability of a wide selection of cloud hosting plans to choose from, let us make things simpler for you.
5 Things You Must Check Before Switching to QuickBooks Hosting
1. Your business needs
Having a clear idea of why you want to switch to cloud-hosted QuickBooks will be the stepping stone toward making the right decision.
2. Hosting plan benefits
Next to knowing what your needs are, you must check what kind of benefits any hosting plan offers. Not every plan offers the same benefits. Also, similar plans offered by two different cloud hosting providers may not be exactly same in terms of the benefits for your business. Hence, it is important to compare these benefits with business needs before arriving at any conclusion.
3. Hosting provider’s reputation
A cloud hosting provider who has considerable experience in helping clients switch to QuickBooks hosting knows well about the challenges that may arise. On the other hand, the one who is new to this industry may take longer time to resolve various issues that users face while accessing cloud-hosted QuickBooks. This way, you can get an edge against the market competition.
4. Hosting cost
Keep in mind not to make the plan selection based on the pricing alone. Instead, it should be based on the pricing and benefits you can get. Selecting the cheapest plan is of no use if it cannot fulfill the expectations your business has pertaining to cloud migration. Besides this, the lower cost may also imply that various cloud features are missing from the plan
5. Customer support
Look for a cloud solution provider that offers 24×7 hosting support assistance to help you deal with any issue that may arise.
Read more : Ways To Deliver Great Customer Service to Accounting Client? (acecloudhosting.com)
Conclusion
QuickBooks software can be hosted on the cloud. But it is up to the user to choose how he would prefer to do so. The benefits of QuickBooks hosting make it a better alternative to using local-hosted QuickBooks. The final decision should be based on careful analysis of cost, features, benefits, and suitability to the business.
