What is the cloud hosting process for QuickBooks?

With the exponential adaptation of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, the conventional on-premise IT infrastructure looks like a thing of the past now. Even the businesses that were reluctant to opt for cloud services before the pandemic have realized its potential during these times. As a result, the expenditure on cloud services is expected to grow to 18% by 2021 (source: Gartner).

The same goes for hosting the accounting process on the cloud. Businesses are looking out for the right hosting provider for their QuickBooks Desktop software and have inquiries about the complete hosting process.

How QuickBooks Hosting Works?

QuickBooks hosting is a cloud-based service that allows users to access their QB desktop software from anywhere, at any time, using an internet connection.

Essentially, the software and data are hosted on remote servers, rather than being installed and stored locally on a user’s computer.

Here is a step-by-step process of cloud hosting for QuickBooks to simplify your approach:

1. Analyzing the Current IT Setup

The first step towards moving your business process to the cloud is analyzing your current IT setup. This is essential because you don’t want to pay for more resources than you actually need. The cloud service providers offer instant scaling of the QuickBooks application and data. Hence, you can generally work with a more flexible IT solution that can change with the business requirements.

However, moving to the cloud becomes convenient if you know what type of services and resources you want from the QuickBooks hosting provider. As almost all cloud providers offer their services at a pay-as-you-go pricing model, analyzing the current IT setup can help you save capital expenses.

2. Choosing the Right Type of Cloud

Once you have analyzed the current IT infrastructure and business requirements, the next step is to choose which applications should be hosted on the cloud along with QuickBooks software and data. There are various business applications that integrate with QuickBooks to facilitate a smooth dataflow between different business functions like payroll, accounting, CRM, etc.

You can choose dedicated cloud services, where your entire business process (QuickBooks and all other apps, along with data) is hosted on the cloud. Or you can choose a hybrid cloud model, where some critical applications can be hosted with QuickBooks while others can be installed on the local system/server. It all depends on the type and scale of your operations. However, to experience the cloud’s full capabilities, it is recommended that you move the entire process to the cloud.

3. Selecting the Right QuickBooks Hosting Provider

Selecting the right QuickBooks hosting provider is the most critical step in the cloud hosting process for QuickBooks. This is because the best hosting provider takes responsibility for all critical tasks like data migration, application updates, hardware maintenance, among others, and minimizes your workload. Hence, you should do extensive market research to determine the right QB hosting provider for your business.

You can analyze the provider on the basis of –

• Intuit Authorized Commercial Host
• Tailor-made cloud solutions for QuickBooks
• Experience in the cloud service industry
• Reputation in the market
• Security policies followed
• Customer Testimonial and Reviews
• Downtime History

Choose the provider considering a long-term partnership as changing the providers frequently is quite arduous. Hence, it is recommended that you take the free trial of the QuickBooks hosting services and decide accordingly.

4. Reading the SLA

SLA or Service Level Agreement is a document that makes the QuickBooks provider legally obliged to uphold the level of service guaranteed. Hence, it is imperative for your team to go through the agreement carefully.

You need to check the uptime that the provider promises to deliver in the SLA. Moreover, SLA also contains the terms of agreement and the duration of the contract. Make sure that there is no lock-in period, and you can opt-out of the services anytime you are dissatisfied with the services.

Another noteworthy aspect to look into is the response time during downtime. The QuickBooks provider should mention the plan of action when a crisis such as a DDoS attack causes downtime. The SLA should also mention the terms of compensation if you experience any data loss.

5. Choosing the Pricing Plan

Choosing the pricing plan is the next major step in the hosting process. Hosted QuickBooks providers offer diverse pricing plans that include or exclude certain services. Pricing also depends on the type of configuration you choose for hosting QuickBooks.

For instance, you can choose between a shared server or QuickBooks dedicated server. A shared server is less expensive than a dedicated server, but you have to share the cloud environment with other users. In contrast, a QuickBooks dedicated server offers you a private setup and dedicated resources.

6. Data Migration

After choosing the QuickBooks hosting provider after much consideration, the next step is to migrate your data and company file to the cloud. Although most hosting providers in the market take care of data migration, it is important that you monitor the process carefully.

Moreover, it is recommended that you take a local backup of the most critical data as a precautionary measure, ensuring that the data is always secure.

The QuickBooks Hosting Process

Once you have opted for the hosted QuickBooks provider and chosen the right pricing plan, here is a quick overview of the QuickBooks hosting process –

• Your existing QuickBooks licenses and data are hosted on the secure cloud quickbooks hosting provider. However, if you want new licenses, you should choose an Intuit Authorized commercial hosting provider for the same.
• The users are provided with the login credentials to access their QuickBooks on cloud. The users can access the cloud through RDP or a web browser. Multiple users can login to the cloud using their personal credentials.
• You will be charged monthly or annually (as per the plan selected) according to the resources used.

Conclusion: Cloud Hosting QuickBooks Process

The QuickBooks hosting process is smooth and hassle-free, given that you choose a provider that offers managed services and takes care of all critical processes, such as data migration and cloud customization.

The cloud hosting process for QB offers numerous benefits to businesses, including flexibility, scalability, security, and cost savings. By hosting your QuickBooks Desktop on the cloud, you can access your data from anywhere at any time, collaborate with your team members in real-time, and enjoy enhanced data security measures.

However, it is crucial to choose a reliable and reputable cloud hosting provider to ensure the best performance and experience. With the right cloud hosting solution and expert guidance, you can streamline your accounting processes, save time and resources, and focus on growing your business.

FAQs:

Q: What are the benefits of cloud hosting for QuickBooks?

Cloud hosting offers benefits such as remote access, enhanced security, automatic backups, scalability, cost savings, and improved collaboration and productivity.

Q: Can I access my QuickBooks Desktop data from anywhere with cloud hosting?

Yes, you can access your QuickBooks Desktop data from anywhere with an internet connection when you host it on the cloud.

Q: How does the cloud hosting process for QuickBooks work?

The cloud hosting provider installs QuickBooks Desktop on their servers and grants you access to your data and software through a remote desktop connection.

Q: Is cloud hosting for QuickBooks secure?

Yes, cloud hosting for QuickBooks is typically more secure than hosting your data on a local computer or server. Reputable hosting providers use advanced security measures such as firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication to protect your data.

Q: How much does cloud hosting for QuickBooks cost?

The cost of cloud hosting for QuickBooks varies depending on the hosting provider, the level of service, and the number of users. It is typically a subscription-based service with monthly or annual fees.

Q: Can I host other applications and software on the same cloud server as QuickBooks?

Yes, you can host other applications and software on the same cloud server as QuickBooks, depending on the hosting provider’s capabilities and restrictions.