We have those SAGE applications working together in a TS environment - I don't see what the problem is - call us if you need help or free appraisal of the situation. I suspect it's an SQL issue - happens when SAGE clashes with other products too.
To answer the question:
1. Easiest option but you are paying for two of everything!
2. Yes could do but fiddly - how much time will you spend on this per week?
3. Best option but has a cost.
Obviously we are biased but with the right skill sets you can get these programmes working well in a hosted environment.
Seeing as we host a complete mix of practices of all sizes, I thought it would be interesting to look at how many use each bookkeeping application.
Results as follows - this is only a quick, rounded estimate and is of course only based on our hosted platform users (which are 99% accountancy firms). Approximately 11% of firms use at least 2 desktop bookkeeping applications - in this situation I have counted the one they use the most....
Sage 50 - 39%
QB - 19%
VT - 14%
TAS - 4% (should be included in Sage I guess)
OTHER - 24%
The "other" section is all those firms who either use bookkeeping apps locally or are committed to using the on-line offerings - Xero, Freeagent, Kashflow, E-conomic, etc.
Having been involved in selling the Digita products previously for 5 years I can pretty much tell you the costs of all the packages available. They vary hugely - some parts can be ten-fold the cost of an "equivalent" package elsewhere.
Peter's methodology is a good one - work out the cost per client and use this as a benchmark.
Unfortunately you may still find that the packs or "bundles" are not always cost effective because they follow a very prescriptive model where it is assumed you will have twice as many personal returns to do as sets of accounts, for example.
What would be useful is a public list of prices so firms can check they are paying the same as everyone else on a package. The ICAEW technology supplement did used to give a run-down of costs for each supplier but this was often quoted as "prices from...."
We are a newish company but all our main staff have many years experience dealing with IT and/or have experience in practice. Our main technical person has been an IT partner at large practices.
We own much of our equipment and this is held in a number of UK ONLY data centres that are level 3 or higher (The bunker, Zen, many others exist).
On our systems you can take your own backups at any time and we are underwritten by comprehensive insurance cover designed for cloud situations.
Going hosted is really not as scary or risky as some (general IT companies) make out. If the data is secure, replicated and you can take backups if you wish, then it is really just like outsourcing your IT, as Paul says.
By all means drop me a line - we have people using BTC right now on our hosted desktop platform. It works great and is very fast. You can then access this software through any PC and/or iPad whenever you wish, subject to some form of internet connection.
We provide virtual servers and hosted desktops in a fully managed environment just for accountants in practice. If you want to talk to firms that have taken this step then by all means drop me a message.
We have lots of IRIS users who we currently host - if fact all of our customers generally use one or more of the main compliance suites. Most of our staff have been in this arena for years.
I have seen and/or been involved in most migrations people have mentioned. Whether it is from/to IRIS/Digita/Keytime/Other there are a few basic pointers to consider:
1. Know your notice period and contract. There is no point considering change if you are then forced to see out a long contract. Most compliance software is sold as 12 month minimum contract.
2. Do the research. Make sure you demo a live version of the software you are moving to.
3. Buy on value not price. It is very easy to just compare on price. Consider the other efficiencies that can be gained by fitting software to how you work.
4. Get detailed analysis of what will be migrated. Most migration routines will transfer basic details, will this also cover historical data? Ask what things won't be migrated?
By working closely with a provider there is no reason why firms cannot move smoothly from one package to another. It is not always easy but happens all the time.
All our data stays in the UK at all times. I think most of our competitors do as well but users really should check, especially when it is their clients sensitive data such as tax returns and final accounts.
Nothing as far as I can see. I would have to ask some of our client base which they go for. It is not obvious that there is any difference in the level of service or the level of support supplied.
They do offer free trials to test out either system.
We have no affiliation to them at all, I should add.
My answers
Hosted solution
We have those SAGE applications working together in a TS environment - I don't see what the problem is - call us if you need help or free appraisal of the situation. I suspect it's an SQL issue - happens when SAGE clashes with other products too.
To answer the question:
1. Easiest option but you are paying for two of everything!
2. Yes could do but fiddly - how much time will you spend on this per week?
3. Best option but has a cost.
Obviously we are biased but with the right skill sets you can get these programmes working well in a hosted environment.
Dan
Market share by vendor...
Seeing as we host a complete mix of practices of all sizes, I thought it would be interesting to look at how many use each bookkeeping application.
Results as follows - this is only a quick, rounded estimate and is of course only based on our hosted platform users (which are 99% accountancy firms). Approximately 11% of firms use at least 2 desktop bookkeeping applications - in this situation I have counted the one they use the most....
Sage 50 - 39%
QB - 19%
VT - 14%
TAS - 4% (should be included in Sage I guess)
OTHER - 24%
The "other" section is all those firms who either use bookkeeping apps locally or are committed to using the on-line offerings - Xero, Freeagent, Kashflow, E-conomic, etc.
Interesting reading.
Dan
Hosted Accountants
www.hostedaccountants.co.uk
Virtual Cabinet
We have a lot of users that like Virtual Cabinet - seems cost effective and well supported. Obviously other systems are out there but worth a look.
Dan
Horses for courses
Having been involved in selling the Digita products previously for 5 years I can pretty much tell you the costs of all the packages available. They vary hugely - some parts can be ten-fold the cost of an "equivalent" package elsewhere.
Peter's methodology is a good one - work out the cost per client and use this as a benchmark.
Unfortunately you may still find that the packs or "bundles" are not always cost effective because they follow a very prescriptive model where it is assumed you will have twice as many personal returns to do as sets of accounts, for example.
What would be useful is a public list of prices so firms can check they are paying the same as everyone else on a package. The ICAEW technology supplement did used to give a run-down of costs for each supplier but this was often quoted as "prices from...."
Dan
Hi Bernard
I thought it polite to answer your questions....
We are a newish company but all our main staff have many years experience dealing with IT and/or have experience in practice. Our main technical person has been an IT partner at large practices.
We own much of our equipment and this is held in a number of UK ONLY data centres that are level 3 or higher (The bunker, Zen, many others exist).
On our systems you can take your own backups at any time and we are underwritten by comprehensive insurance cover designed for cloud situations.
Going hosted is really not as scary or risky as some (general IT companies) make out. If the data is secure, replicated and you can take backups if you wish, then it is really just like outsourcing your IT, as Paul says.
Regards
Dan
BTC Hosting
Hi Craig
By all means drop me a line - we have people using BTC right now on our hosted desktop platform. It works great and is very fast. You can then access this software through any PC and/or iPad whenever you wish, subject to some form of internet connection.
Thanks
Dan
[email protected]
Hosted Accountants
We provide virtual servers and hosted desktops in a fully managed environment just for accountants in practice. If you want to talk to firms that have taken this step then by all means drop me a message.
We have lots of IRIS users who we currently host - if fact all of our customers generally use one or more of the main compliance suites. Most of our staff have been in this arena for years.
By all means let me know if you want a chat.
Thanks
Dan
www.hostedaccountants.co.uk
0800 440 2282
Migrations
I have seen and/or been involved in most migrations people have mentioned. Whether it is from/to IRIS/Digita/Keytime/Other there are a few basic pointers to consider:
1. Know your notice period and contract. There is no point considering change if you are then forced to see out a long contract. Most compliance software is sold as 12 month minimum contract.
2. Do the research. Make sure you demo a live version of the software you are moving to.
3. Buy on value not price. It is very easy to just compare on price. Consider the other efficiencies that can be gained by fitting software to how you work.
4. Get detailed analysis of what will be migrated. Most migration routines will transfer basic details, will this also cover historical data? Ask what things won't be migrated?
By working closely with a provider there is no reason why firms cannot move smoothly from one package to another. It is not always easy but happens all the time.
Dan
www.hostedaccountants.co.uk
EU Data Centres
Very useful link Ben.
All our data stays in the UK at all times. I think most of our competitors do as well but users really should check, especially when it is their clients sensitive data such as tax returns and final accounts.
Dan
www.hostedaccountants.co.uk
Home or Business
Nothing as far as I can see. I would have to ask some of our client base which they go for. It is not obvious that there is any difference in the level of service or the level of support supplied.
They do offer free trials to test out either system.
We have no affiliation to them at all, I should add.
Dan