Enterprise desktop on server vs Enterprise cloud hosted by Intuit

Why do you consider to hosting your file?

Do you mind accessing your company files only via the internet? Or do you still prefer to combine LAN users and remote users can access files at the same time?

Do you have any third party apps integrated with QB Desktop? 

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community, Lori 3. I'll make sure to walk you through the process of moving your QuickBooks company file to the cloud/hosted by Intuit.

With Intuit Hosting Program, you can run your QuickBooks Desktop and store your data files on a service provider's servers. This authorizes you to use your QuickBooks securely, anywhere, and anytime. Please know that there are only lists of Intuit-Authorized Hosting Providers are approved by Intuit. You can open this article to view further details: Hosting providers authorized by Intuit.

Then, there's an option in QuickBooks Desktop where you can set up a multi-user network so computers on your network can access your company files. To start with, you'll need to set up QuickBooks Desktop first. On a multi-user network, one computer act as the host and this is your server where your company files are stored. 

Here's how:

1. Follow the steps to download and install QuickBooks Desktop on your server computer.
2. Choose Custom and Network install for the install type.
3. Select I'll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer, AND I'll be storing... if you want the full version of QuickBooks Desktop on your server computer. If you just want your server computer to host your files, select I will NOT be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer...
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Please note to keep your company files on your server computer's local hard drive. This makes it easier to share them over your network. If you want to keep your files on a network drive, follow the steps to map the drive.

Once done, set up folder permissions on your server computer. Ensure the folder with your company files has permission to be on your network.

After that, install Database Server Manager. This tool lets you share your company files with other computers over your network. You can click this article to see the steps on how to perform the process: Set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop. This also provides details on how to finish the multi-user setup.

Lastly, you may refer to each article below that discuss more details about the access limits and hosting your data in a multi-user mode: 

• Tasks that can be performed in a single or multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop. 
• Hosting your company data in multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop

I’ll be around if you have follow-up questions about the hosting program and setting up your multi-user in QBDT. I’m always round-ready to back you up. Keep safe and stay well!

Server is old, so we are thinking of not having one.  I personally prefer to have control over our files here on site, but as the industry is moving to the cloud and in this direction, I have to at least look into it.  We would go with Right Networks as our 3rd party service.  I just wanted to know what the QB community thoughts were on this subject. 

Our server is old and up for replacement.  I personally prefer to stay in control of our files and have them here on site.  We depend on the internet enough as it is.  Problem is the industry is moving to the cloud more and more everyday, so I have to at least look into this option.  We would go with Right Networks should this decision be made.

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@Lori 3 wrote:

We would go with Right Networks should this decision be made.

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As long as you don't need to integrate with 3rd party apps, you can choose them

We looked at a trial version of regular QB cloud which looks like a pretty simplified or dumbed down version of QB as compared to Enterprise Desktop local. Is the appearance and functionality of the cloud based QB Enterprise GUI the same as the local version or is it different once in the cloud?

@djm1 

You will be running a virtual desktop session. You will see the same identical GUI no more or less. You can set up a simple private cloud solution as another option.

I've just downloaded Enterprise Solutions 23.0. and opened my former Desktop Enterprise file.  When I try to access different functions (as Admin) I get the message that I do not have access to perform this action.  To complete this, request for access from your Primary Admin.  I am the primary Admin!

Let me help you sort this out, BBE2.

To ensure you're logging in as the Admin, right-click the QuickBooks icon, Run as Administrator, and enter the admin credentials. 

Once done, updating the QuickBooks Desktop release version is a good start when it comes to fixing file-related issues, and make sure to create a back up copy of your company file before doing so. After that, we can follow the steps below to verify and rebuild your data. 

To Verify Data:

1. Click Window at the top menu bar, then Close All.
2. From the File menu, choose Utilities.
3. Tap Verify Data.
   

To Rebuild Data:

1. Click Window at the top menu bar, then Close All.
2. From the File menu, choose Utilities.
3. Hit Rebuild Data.
   
4. You will receive a warning message to backup your company file, press OK.
5. Click OK when you get the message "Rebuild has completed".
6. Close and re-open QuickBooks Desktop.

I'll be sharing with you the articles below. These will provide us with steps on how to handle data errors in QuickBooks Desktop:

Top data damage errors in QuickBooks Desktop.

Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

Fill me in if you have additional questions or concerns about accessing your file in QuickBooks Desktop, BBE2. The Community and I will be around to help.