A Cheaper, Easier, More Convenient Way to Run QuickBooks for Your Small Business

Posted by John Feucht on Sep 16, 2014 10:00:00 AM

cloud_computing_conceptThe death of the desktop may or may not be imminent (we’ll leave that one for people with more time on their hands to think about) but one more argument for continuing to invest a hefty chunk of your small business budget in powerful desktop computers is quickly becoming irrelevant.

You don’t need to waste your money on powerful desktops—jam-packed with the latest processors and highest capacity hard drives—just to run that one software application your business couldn’t live without.

Advancements in cloud computing now make hosted applications a viable choice for small businesses looking for simpler, more affordable ways to equip their employees with their most critical software tools.

Hosted applications are just what they sound like: applications that run locally on your computers, laptops, and terminals, but that “live" on remote server space hosted by a trusted IT partner.

For example, suppose your business relies on the accounting stalwart QuickBooks. In a hosted scenario, you and your team members could access QuickBooks the same way you always do, by clicking an icon on your desktop. The only difference is that, by doing so, you would not be accessing a version of the software stored on your local hard drive, but one residing on a server somewhere else, its functions delivered to you seamlessly over the Internet.

There are a number of benefits to going with a hosted application setup for a tool like QuickBooks:

 

Hosted Applications are Easily Scalable

When you’re growing your business, the cost (not to mention the logistics) of setting up technology for a new employee can make you seriously wonder if you should have even bothered hiring the employee in the first place. Multiply that frustration by however many times you add someone to your team. For each new person, you have to buy a new computer, purchase the appropriate software licenses, and install everything yourself.

With hosted applications, you have a lot less to worry about. Hosted applications are already installed on a remote server and your IT partner will maintain the necessary software licenses. And, if most of your employees’ work can be done within a single application—which is often the case in certain industries—you don’t need to invest in a high-end computer. Since the remote server will handle the computational heavy lifting, you can get away with a cheaper machine.

 

Hosted Applications Lower Your Equipment Costs

Because they often allow you to use cheaper “terminals” instead of full-fledged desktops and laptops, hosted applications can save your small business a significant amount of money in hardware costs. Just how much money depends on a number of factors, like the amount of computer power you typically use, the amount of storage space you need, the applications you require, etc.

 

Hosted Application are Updated Automatically

When you’re using a hosted application, you can say goodbye to the annoyance of routine maintenance and updates. Your IT partner will handle that for you.

 

You Can Access a Hosted Application from (Almost) Anywhere

Since your software resides in the cloud and not your work computer, you can usually access your hosted applications from a variety of locations as if you were opening them from your work computer. That’s a huge plus for anyone who does a lot of working remotely, or who shuttles between multiple office locations over the course of a week.

Of course, this won’t work for any location that doesn’t have an Internet connection. For employees who work out of an office, that’s generally not a problem. But, for employees who frequently work remotely (sales reps, for example), you’ll want to be sure they’ll have a reliable Wi-Fi connection most of the time.

 

Hosted Applications Are Easier to Try Out

Since most hosted applications require no long-term commitment, you can take advantage of the pay-as-you-go model to try new software. If your team finds it unsuitable, you can simply stop using the service.

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The Power of the Cloud

Hosted applications are just one of the many cloud computing tools small businesses can use to increase their productivity and save money. To learn more about the cloud and other useful hosted services, download our free guide, “Cloud Computing for Business Owners.

Topics: IT advice for small business owners

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