Mar 11
12
New Company File in QuickBooks
I start out each year with a new company file for QuickBooks. It seems perfectly reasonable because my QuickBooks complexity does not effect my process of creating the file. Starting with a new file keeps QuickBooks operating fast and error free. I’ve always taken my process for granted because is as simple as exporting lists and templates and beginning with opening balances in the appropriate accounts. Also, I export my financial statements and compare year to year trends in Excel. I’ve read several places that creating a new company file each year is a best practice.
I can see multitudes of problems for companies that have more complex requirements for QuickBooks than I have. In the past, I argued that creating a new company file each year was best practice. However, I now know that extenuating circumstances can prevent a business from creating a new file every year.Here’s what Intuit has to say about it.
If my business were more complex, I would have serious concerns around the limitations that payroll and time entries, online banking and comparative yearly reports have on my ability to mitigate performance problems with QuickBooks by creating a new company file every year. The large company files as well as the database serving methodology employed by QuickBooks seriously impacts QuickBooks Multi User performance.
I regularly upgrade networks to gigabit to mitigate the QuickBooks performance situation, something I do not do with Peachtree companies. I’m not recommending that you move to Peachtree. But, I am concerned that QuickBooks client server software architecture needs to be reevaluated, de-bloated and moved to a 21st century state of the art client server design. If my business’s accounting needs depended upon application performance and tight integration between payroll, time entry, banking and year to year comparative reporting, I would have to seriously consider something else other that QuickBooks Multi User.
Intuit’s efforts in licensing and improving Hosted QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online are admirable. But, hosted solutions are not the answer to every businesses’ requirements. Tell a doctor I know that’s office has no Internet connectivity, that he needs to move QuickBooks 2006 to QuickBooks online for the latest features and you’ll know what I mean.
The current state of QuickBooks client server performance needs a hard look by a few good client server architects. I don’t think I’m alone in my opinion. What do you think?
Posted in QuickBooks by .
I published this article almost a year ago. I wanted to update everyone that might need an XP Pro computer. As of yesterday, I can still purchase a new XP Pro computer. There continues a need to have a physical CPU with XP Pro, necessary to run legacy applications, especially in the security and medical businesses that I’m most familiar with.
I’m still amazed at the number of times people inquire about purchasing a new XP Pro computer. I see no reason not to buy an XP Pro computer. I configured a new Dell business desktop computer today for a project I’m working on.
The Dell summary worksheet details my computer specs for a new QuickBooks server, a great deal considering it has 2gb memory, 3 year on site service and 3 year anti virus software. As a mater of fact, I will use this computer as a multi session terminal server designed for both local access and remote access from the CPA’s office. The entire project costs will come in under $1000 plus the QuickBooks license.
If you need a new computer, all the major players still sell Windows 7 Pro downgrades to XP Pro. It just takes a bit of effort to configure and purchase them. I continually need a steady supply of XP Pro computers for small businesses.
If you want to save a good bit of money, try searching Amazon for off lease desktop
They say one picture’s worth a thousand words. Check out this screen shot of my prototype QuickBooks terminal server on a shoe string. You can plainly see three users’ remote desktop QuickBooks Multi User sessions and an administrator desktop session simultaneously working on an XP Pro based terminal server. This stuff’s so much fun.
Posted in Business Systems Support QuickBooks by .
Jan 11
31
Google Made Me Do It
I like Google Analytics so much so that I use it to track activity on this site as well as other sites that I use. I almost always set up Google Analytics for clients to use to track their websites. Imagine my surprise when during my monthly routine, I looked at reports that indicated that suddenly I’m getting hundreds of visits from folks looking for lightning stuff.
A quick Google search on lightning strikes turns up the stunning result that Google places me above the fold for searches on lightning strikes. Although there are “About 1,680,000 results”, apparently, I’ve been here awhile. But knowing Google search, there’s no guarantee I’ll be there tomorrow.
First off, I’ll never understand Google’s algorithms for search results. I could have spent thousands of dollars on SEO and never achieved above the fold for such a fantastic search term like lightning strikes. This achievement seems to break all of the SEO rules. My domain name has nothing to do with lightning. Although there are several articles and my thing about lightning posted here, most of the content is about business computing. However, I’m thankful for Google’s placing my website in such good company as intellicast.com and weather.com.
Right about now, I’m feeling very obligated to these hard working Google lightning strikes searchers by providing more lightning stuff. I feel like I’m letting you down. So, my question to you; What would you like to see or learn about lightning strikes?
Please leave me an answer or share your story in the comments. I’ll try not to let you down. Oh, before I forget; thanks Google.
Jan 11
27
Google Apps Collaboration
Your business can achieve a new level of successful interpersonal communications and effective collaboration by converting your business email to Google Apps. The free version enables your small organization to begin the experiment. But, Google Apps for Business at $50 per user per year brings 25GB email storage per user, BlackBerry and Microsoft Outlook interoperability and much more to the table. Check out this video.
When you find yourself ready to loose your current email provider or ready to quit throwing money at Microsoft Exchange or Small Business Server, consider discussing Goggle Apps with me.
If your small business has ten or less computers, you can now install Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
I’ve used Microsoft Security Essentials for some time now and have had good success with it. A ten computer license for ESET Smart Security costs $509.90 for one year. Microsoft just handed you enough money to purchase a new desktop computer every year. Sounds like a great offer to me.
