Please explain to me how Quickbooks Desktop Online works

There is no "desktop online" version. There is Desktop and then there is Online. He might be referring to the downloadable "app" to run QB faster from outside any specific browser - but apparently with little fanfare that app "has expired" and the current only way to access QBO is through a browser (even from a phone) 

UPDATE: the app is still around, although I went to the intuit app store and could not find it, but maybe this is what the boss saw.  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/download-products/quickbooks-app-for-windows-and-m...

It never worked properly in my experience and was a disaster attempting to use it with QBOA the accountant version but every time we logged in we were presented with a button to push that said words to the effect like never have to log in again and work 30% faster all from your desktop.

The online versions of QB are all accessed through an internet browser of your choice. Certain things work better in Chrome but certain tasks (like exporting ONline to Desktop version) require IE

There is an "Online" version of QuickBooks (QBO) as well as the original Desktop version (QBD). 

Although there is a big push to get everyone online (like so many other companies are doing) to streamline updates, troubleshooting since everyone is on the same version, etc., etc.  There are mixed reviews as to how good QBO is to QBD.  Many people love it, especially if they've never used QBD.

But there are limitations in QBO and you may be forced to go to the higher fee version if you require things like multiple Class entries.  So if you are being pushed to QBO by your boss, just do a lot of research here and other places to make sure you have the full picture.

Now having said all of the above, your boss may just be asking about access your QBD remotely (aka "Online").  If this is the case, there are various ways to do it, but I believe by far the safest way is via Remote Desktop and logging into a computer physically in your office.  Then there is no actual QB's data going back and forth over the Internet, just the Keyboard, Video & Mouse (KVM) info going back and forth.

To do this there are a couple of things you need on the QB's side.  You need to have a multi-user license for your QBD and an additional computer for your boss to connect to.  This could be his desktop computer or one dedicated just to QBs if you don't want to use theirs for any reason. 

If you get a dedicated computer just for this, it can be one of the small form factor machines that can be tucked away in the IT Closet or somewhere out of the way.  And it does not need a keyboard, monitor or mouse if you don't want to get one since you'll be connected remotely.  (You can get it, you just don't need to if you want to keep the costs down.)

NOTE: This additional computer (and any other QBs computers) should not be connected via WiFi to access the QBs data.  I've done it with clients and if the WiFi network is robust enough, you *might* get away with it.  But many corrupt file issues can be traced back to the additional machines connecting to the Database via WiFi.  (Doesn't matter if your computer - the one with the database on it - is connected via WiFi.  Only the additional ones trying to connect to the database.)

Once you have the QBs side taken care of, you need to decide on a method to connect.  There are multiple options, but here are a few to get you started:

• Remote Desktop (built into MS Windows  Pro or higher)
• AnyDesk
• LogMeIn
• TeamViewer

With one of the above or any your company may already have a subscription for, your boss can log in from anywhere to the machine in your office.  Then access QBs as if he was sitting in a chair in front of that computer.

Good Afternoon, @tsmithcaa.

I hope you're having a good day. I can assist you with the information you need by making QuickBooks functions like QuickBooks Online.

You are correct; QuickBooks primary function's on the desktop. However, Intuit has partnered with Right Networks, which is a hosting environment. This feature will enable you to log into the cloud and become mobile (work at home, travel, take on vacation, etc.). It functions the same as QuickBooks; the amount is calculated based on how many users are needed to log in simultaneously.

Check out Right Networks and how it functions. At the bottom of the web page, you'll see contact sales. You can speak to a live agent. You can also Call QuickBooks Support, so they can pull up your subscription and give a quote for Right Networks.  

To contact support, follow the few simple steps below.

1. Click the help menu in the top right-hand corner.

2. On the bottom hit Contact Us.

3. Enter the questions you have and click Let's Talk.

A live agent will be in touch shortly.

That's all there is to it. Let me know if I can assist you with any more questions or concerns. I'm here to help at any time. Have a great day.

I would add that since QBDT is opened in single user mode in the remote desktop scenario that there can be a risk of multiple users performing same task at same time. Remote desktop is great for a sole user who knows nobody else is near the "home" computer.

Remote desktop allows you access to the entire computer, not just QB. And you can use devices to access that otherwise would not support QB (such as a 1st gen iPad). My remote of choice is still Splashtop.

Yes, if you're referring to my Remote Desktop suggestion.

As I pointed out, on the QBs side you need to move to the Multi-User license to have the remote machine as an additional user logged into QBs.  And not logging into tsmithcaa machine, but either the boss's desktop or a separate machine dedicated for this use.

And I've heard good things about Splashtop, just haven't checked it out yet.