Should You or Your Clients Upgrade? - Accounting Software Secrets
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Should You or Your Clients Upgrade?

Should You or Your Clients Upgrade?

Should You or Your Clients Upgrade?

When determining if you or your clients should upgrade, the general rule we follow is: Intuit has a proven record of releasing a new version of the software each year, and it is possible to upgrade across several versions.  For this reason, unless there is a feature or report that makes the upgrade make sense, it is not required that the software be upgraded each year.  However, Intuit only provides support for the current and two previous versions, so it is usually worth upgrading at least every third year.  The exception to this rule is that some of the QuickBooks services (such as Assisted Payroll) require that the most current version be used. 

Some professionals do, however, require their clients to upgrade each year.  As far as if this is a good idea or not . . . The answer is really perception. Personally, because of the consulting work, it does not make sense for me to require the clients be on the most recent version. For those professionals who do on-going work with clients, I have seen it work well, to provide an annual “package” of services to the client (that the client pays for monthly or quarterly) that includes a copy of the software and installation of the upgrade. Basically the price is built in and it makes it easier for the professional to only be supporting one version. I have also seen situations where the professional will say no one upgrades until we all do together. The key to “selling” any of these types of programs is to let the clients know and understand the value it has to them personally. Otherwise, their perception may be that they are being forced into purchasing software that is unnecessary for them. The last common issue I see is that the professional only keeps the most current version of the software and all older versions are converted. Any changes are then sent back manually or via an IIF (consider the QuickBooks Transaction Copier) unless the client wants to upgrade so the changes can go back electronically.

The ability to install multiple versions on the same computer (but in different directories) eliminates some of the challenge on the side of the professional, and password recovery products provide information as to the version of the data file.

In the end, like so many other issues, it comes down to a judgment call by each professional.

 

More information on this topic

Version Management

2006 Update Book