Category: add-ons

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Deadline Approaching for QuickBooks Desktop Users

All QuickBooks Desktop Users Are Required to Upgrade to a Current Subscription Model by Sep 30. Yes, the time has come to buy in to the software subscription model or lose access to your books. But at least you get to keep using QuickBooks desktop software, which is worth a lot of you’re already invested in QuickBooks.

Effective Sep 30, 2024, all existing users of QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Mac, and Enterprise Solutions v21 (and earlier) must transition to the annual subscription model. For Pro and Premier users, this is a short reprieve. Previously Intuit had announced a July deadline for renewing Pro/Premier licenses. After the now-September deadline, there won’t be any new sales of Pro or Premier licenses. With some of the recent price increases it almost becomes a moot point, as QB Enterprise is now priced similarly (less?) than Premier.

Something notable in all of this is that versions sold under non-subscription one-time licenses will be discontinued entirely. That is just fine for many users, however, as the much older versions don’t “phone home” to authorize the license, so they can keep working. The downside to that is vulnerability. Outdated and unpatched software is more vulnerable to risk than software that is actively updated to protect against various exploits. Best practices demand keeping software updated and patched. Being out of support with your business financial and accounting software is not a position you want to find yourself in.

Starting Oct 1, 2024, QuickBooks Enterprise will be the only QuickBooks Desktop version available for new purchases. For very small businesses, this is going to be a challenge as QB Enterprise is not as affordable as Pro was. These businesses may find that QuickBooks Online works for them, but they will not only miss out on a great deal of QB Desktop functionality that is not present in Online, but they will also be locked into the QuickBooks Online service model of receiving product updates without announcement, not having a backup of your company data, getting bombarded with a revolving door of add-on apps, and having literally no control whatsoever of where your data lives and how Intuit and its companies are accessing it.

If you are using an older version of QuickBooks Desktop, upgrading to the subscription model before the deadline is crucial to avoid any interruption of services.

What does this mean?

  1. Service Discontinuation:
    Failure to upgrade will result in the discontinuation of services such as QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Payments, Online Backup, online banking, system updates, security patches, and live support. This could potentially disrupt your business operations.
  2. Immediate Action Needed:
    To ensure uninterrupted business operations, we strongly recommend planning your upgrade without delay.
  3. Advantages of Upgrading:
    Intuit encourages existing Desktop subscribers to upgrade to the current version (Desktop 2024) to benefit from the latest features, improvements, security updates, and bug fixes. Updated software also improves compatibility with current versions of Windows, Microsoft Office applications, Gmail services and other solutions that use modern methods of account protection and authentication.

At that time, you may also want to consider your alternatives to how and where you run your QuickBooks Desktop software.

Intuit offers “cloud access” with their QuickBooks Enterprise licensing, but this option is not your only or best option for running your QuickBooks Desktop/Enterprise software in the cloud.

With the bad guys (hackers) and malware being as prevalent as they are, businesses must be vigilant in securing their business and financial information. Shared hosting platforms where service providers allow many users from many businesses to operate on the same servers simply cannot provide the level of security or protection most businesses need.

Noobeh QBonAzure offers some limited shared hosting, but only for customers that have limited requirements and only for a few users. When a company needs more than just “vanilla” hosting for their valuable financial data, we strongly recommend going the private route and having your own cloud server.

Not just a “dedicated” server in a service provider’s network, Noobeh works only in the private Microsoft account of each customer, ensuring that there is absolutely no sharing of any resources with other customers. This allows us to build a system that works specifically for your business, with all the applications and services needed to support all aspects of operation. There aren’t different levels of service or service packages; each system is built and sized for the customer’s unique requirements, and we don’t charge per-application or silly things like that. You need what you need to run your business, and we host that.

Connect with us if you have any questions or need assistance during this transition. We will help you navigate the changes and understand how best to proceed for your business and circumstances, engaging with the right products and services to ensure continuity and set you up for greater future success.

jm bunny feetMake Sense?

J

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Help Your Business Streamline Operations and Bolster Agility

The landscape of information management is swiftly evolving, demanding that businesses prioritize enhanced efficiency and innovation within their IT infrastructure to attain peak performance and profitability. Cloud platforms emerge as indispensable allies in this pursuit, empowering businesses to streamline operations and bolster agility across various workflows, from finance to customer service and beyond.

In today’s technology-driven business environment, a modernized IT framework is imperative. While web-based applications and cloud-based software are often seen as panaceas, they frequently fall short of expectations, leaving businesses entangled in a web of inadequate solutions. The crux lies not just in software, but in establishing a robust IT foundation that seamlessly integrates applications and processes, enabling efficient data flow without the risk of errors or loss.

Cloud platforms not only facilitate seamless collaboration and remote access but also provide centralized data access, enhancing workflow efficiency and inclusivity (no more data silos!). Furthermore, the integration of connectivity solutions ensures smooth data flow throughout the system, minimizing errors and maximizing accuracy.

As businesses increasingly rely on interconnected data ecosystems, there arises a demand for professionals who are adept at navigating and optimizing these connections. Traditionally the realm of IT specialists, this responsibility is now shifting towards accounting and finance teams, reflecting the profound financial implications of every business operation.

Noobeh cloud services and Mendelson Consulting teams work with accountants, CFOs and operations professionals who wish to transform business activities into digital workflows and dynamic sources of intelligence and insight.

Using platforms such as Microsoft Azure, PowerBI and more, plus leveraging solutions such as Clearify’s QQube for QuickBooks, Noobeh helps growing businesses implement the platforms and services that support greater efficiency now, and which have the agility to adjust and adapt to changing conditions, ensuring future support and service.

Gone are the days when accounting and finance were mere repositories of historical data; today, they serve as frontline guardians of business viability. Microsoft Azure cloud platform and services from Noobeh, your business applications, and direct data integrations furnish businesses with real-time insights, transcending conventional silos of historical data and illuminating the intricacies of business performance.

jm bunny feetMake Sense?

J

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MISys Manufacturing Leverages Microsoft Azure Cloud with MISys on Azure

MISys Manufacturing software is designed for small to medium sized manufacturers, providing low cost of ownership and a flexible, modular design. When a business needs to add inventory management, purchasing, MRP, forecasting and scheduling, MISys is the solution that delivers the functionality. Noobeh cloud services has always provided hosting and managed services for MISys and MISys EXT on the Microsoft Azure cloud. Now, MISys Manufacturing has new options to take even more advantage of the power and flexibility of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform:

MISys on Azure

The new cloud deployment options for MISys Manufacturing provide direct support for Microsoft Azure databases and app services. Customers can use their own self-managed Azure subscriptions and the MISys installer can provision the app and database to get it all going. Noobeh helps businesses get started with the Azure cloud, assisting with the setup and deployment of services on the most secure, scalable, and agile platform available. Noobeh services delivered on Microsoft Azure take full advantage of the Microsoft cloud platform and all it has to offer.

While the primary focus of MISys releases starting with v6.4.5.0 have been to have an installer-assisted deployment with Microsoft Azure, the complexity of Microsoft and Azure account and subscription setup can be daunting for even experienced technicians. Noobeh simplifies these processes by assisting businesses with the creation of the accounts and the provisioning and preparation of the services necessary to support a MISys on Azure installation.

Each Noobeh MISys on Azure customer gets their own absolutely private Azure tenant account, which ensures that there is no co-mingling of resources and no possibility of interactions between customer accounts. And Noobeh deploys services with the resources necessary to deliver the right solution for each business client, knowing that adjustments can always be made as business needs change.

MISys Manufacturing can be implemented in a variety of configurations, allowing each deployment to meet the specific needs of the client. Noobeh helps companies deploy MISys Manufacturing software in all its forms, handling the installation and technical configuration whether on-premises, exclusively cloud-based, or hybrid.

Cloud Server | Cloud Database | Cloud Desktops | Cloud Everything

With Noobeh and MISys, you can choose from configurations that keep the desktop/client software local or cloud, have your database on your cloud server or just have a cloud database, or combine the benefits of managed desktops and data by putting the entire system in the cloud.

No matter what accounting solution you use with MISys, Noobeh has an answer for that, too. We’re specialists at hosting QuickBooks and Sage desktop products, and work with businesses using QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct and other web-based solutions. You need your MISys installation and your accounting software to work together? We’ve got that delivery model.

With MISys on Azure and Noobeh, business owners have the assurance that their software can be deployed in a model that meets with their specific needs and budget, and with the flexibility to change and grow along with the business.

jm bunny feetMake Sense?

J

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When a Business Outgrows QuickBooks Enterprise

Small and midsized businesses use QuickBooks software to manage finance and operations. Since growing past 90% market share in 2008, Intuit QuickBooks proved over the years that businesses adopt accounting and finance software if it is affordable and easy to use. While Intuit’s focus today may be on gaining market share with the web-browser-based QuickBooks Online edition, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise continues to serve the needs of companies requiring more robust functionality than QuickBooks Desktop Pro/Premier or QuickBooks Online editions offer.

Over the years the QuickBooks product line has grown to support larger businesses, with the Enterprise edition scaling to 40 users and boasting a load of features that fully support operational processes. Inventory management, order processing workflows, construction management, and other features give encouragement to businesses needing support for more complex processes. QuickBooks Enterprise allows the flow-through of product use knowledge, stored data and integration with other business solutions to be seamless and consistent when moving up from QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier editions.

When a business finds that it may be outgrowing the capabilities of QuickBooks, it does not necessarily have to abandon the product line in lieu of a larger framework such as with alternative ERP systems. While the larger web-based systems may boast greater capabilities, they often come with much greater cost of service and implementation.

For businesses invested in QuickBooks Enterprise, it makes sense to look at alternative technical or platform solutions to address certain operational needs rather than shifting to different finance and operations software. The cost and complexity of an entirely new ERP software implementation is often more burdensome and costly than is needed to meet the real business demand. Also, the value found in business data can be lost when converting from one solution to another, and the cost of change is often so burdensome that many businesses simply abandon their projects if they even get started.

When using QuickBooks, at times it is the platform — the local network, computers and server — that is not geared to handle more users, processes and applications working with QuickBooks and a more robust and agile situation is required. Businesses should also explore integrations or extensions that can address the functional requirements, supporting advanced and complex workflows with greater agility while retaining the full value of the historic data.

Some challenges with QuickBooks may indicate a business needs a more robust and scalable solution, but that does not necessarily indicate that the business has truly outgrown QuickBooks. Instead, it may be a situation best handled by extending QuickBooks through application integration with a more robust subsystem to address specific business needs, to add scalability, and to build on the existing history and business intelligence previously developed in the enterprise.

Large transaction volume, extensive inventory management, or performance issues can easily create the impression that a business has outgrown QuickBooks Enterprise. In most cases, these conditions are overcome by extending QuickBooks with solutions geared specifically to handle the complexities and volume of heavy inventory management processes. These solutions not only address the in-depth functionality required, but also tend to utilize more agile and robust database structures that can scale far beyond the capacity of any QuickBooks edition alone.

Some businesses wishing to provide more advanced reporting and analytics, along with delivering realtime insights, may initially consider QuickBooks reporting to be insufficient for their needs. Yet there are integrations available which make QuickBooks financial and operations data as accessible and usable as the most robust enterprise applications. Satisfying the need for highly customized reporting and analytics far beyond QuickBooks standard reporting, these solutions create visibility and give meaning to QuickBooks data in ways that cannot be accomplished within the application alone.

Mendelson Consulting understands how businesses can outgrow the core functionality of QuickBooks and provides the tools and solutions to address growth in practical ways that do not diminish the value of data, training and operational intelligence that has been so costly for the business to acquire. We help businesses expand their capabilities and improve efficiency without losing their investment in QuickBooks, addressing the needs of growing and complex businesses without forcing the change to more extensive and expensive solutions.

jm bunny feetMake Sense?

J