Software development, both in and out of the book-keeping and accountancy market, has made a significant shift in direction in the last few years. Whereas traditional software packages have been developed to be hosted and managed directly on the licensee’s server or computer, it’s become ever more obvious within IT development and accountancy circles that a more flexible, dynamic solution is required for the 21st century.
That ‘new generation’ accounting software solution has arrived – in the format of web-based or online accountancy software. Back in the 1990’s, slow and unreliable dial-up internet access, combined with unsophisticated online security solutions, meant that self-hosted software was the only realistic option. Today, the IT landscape has changed dramatically – meaning that online software, such as Fusion Accounts (www.fusionaccounts.com) has now outpaced and out-manoeuvred its less innovative rivals.
So let’s assemble the facts. Why is online accountancy software the 21st century choice for every accountant and book-keeper needing a fast, efficient and always up-to-date IT solution?
1. Online accounting software saves you time, right from the start.
Forget unpacking the box, inserting the CD, installing the software and waiting for the program to load. Online software is – quite literally – available from the moment you sign up. There’s no IT knowledge required and none of those installation issues so often encountered with firewall incompatibility, damaged CD-ROMs or plain old lack of processing space required to run the programme.
2. Online accounting software saves you space, too.
Investment in IT hardware can be a significant part of any book-keeper or accountant’s overheads. Online software, being hosted by the software provider, doesn’t tie up your PC processor and doesn’t require you to own a server. You’ll get more mileage out of your PC or laptop, leaving it free to run other applications.
3. Immediate updates, without lifting a finger or spending a penny.
When you buy over-the-counter book-keeping software, you’re buying the current version. What happens when the software is updated? That’s right, you have to upgrade at your own cost and re-install the software. With online accounting software, your updates are done for you automatically, meaning no timelag and no time wasted – giving you the most up-to-the-minute version at all times, fully compliant with the latest accounting rules and VAT regulations.
4. It’s available wherever you are.
Sometimes, working from the office doesn’t get the job done. What happens if you need to finish off at home or get work done over the holidays? With online accounting software, you can access every file at any moment of the day, whether you’re at an internet cafe or even a friend’s or family’s computer. You’re not tied to travelling with your laptop and you’re free to change hardware without lengthy re-installation of your accounting software.
5. Security takes precedence.
How secure is your office or home computer? Do you have the latest in anti-virus software and do you take regular backups? No matter how diligent you are, viruses do often get through. Online accounting software takes the security headache out of your hands by ensuring that the highest level professional security and data protection is applied to all of your clients’ information, with regular data backups as standard. With online book-keeping software, you can concentrate on what you do best whilst letting the professionals manage your data security.
So is it time to re-evaluate what your current off-the-shelf software is doing for you – and what it isn’t? With online accounting software such as Fusion Accounts, you’ll be looking forward to a safer, more secure system with fewer overheads and instant upgrades to ensure you’re at the forefront of accounting information technology. In this current business climate, can you afford to lag behind the 21st century web-based accounting practitioners?
Fusion Accounts
Online Accounting – Anytime, Anywhere