All About QuickBooks Cloud Hosting

What is QuickBooks cloud hosting? What does QuickBooks cloud hosting do? And can QuickBooks cloud hosting really benefit me and my business?

You have likely heard about QuickBooks cloud hosting before. You may have even wondered if QuickBooks cloud hosting is a technology that your business could benefit from adopting. So many before you have pondered these very questions. Some of our clients decided that QuickBooks cloud hosting would be a great fit for their businesses, while others took a different route. Either way, our clients were informed with the RIGHT information at the RIGHT time and were able to make the BEST decision for their businesses.

So, to remove all the ambiguity about QuickBooks cloud hosting and provide you with some important knowledge, we decided to write this article. In this article, you will learn what QuickBooks cloud hosting is and what you can do with it. We will also discuss which features are most important and what to consider when shopping for a quality QuickBooks cloud hosting service. Lastly, we will go into detail about the QuickBooks cloud hosting service that we provide, and how our service compares to the competition in general.

Read on to learn more about QuickBooks cloud hosting. If you want to know more about QuickBooks cloud hosting, yore really not going to want to miss out on this!

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What is QuickBooks Cloud Hosting?

Here we will give you a little background on data types and their relevancy, as well as how the storage of that data has evolved. Then we will define cloud hosting for you and discuss how it applies to QuickBooks.

Background on Data Types

There are two types of data that an application requires to operate. The first type of data is called, “Program Data.” Program data is all of the coding and data that is used to make the software application function. Program data also determines the look, feel, and functions of the application, and instructs the application on what to do. Typical examples of program data in QuickBooks include the physical layout, the applicatios rules, and the coding dictating the applicatios calculations on the backend.

The second type of data is called, “User Data.” User Data is the data that you enter into fields and save when you use an application. User data is the entire collection of information that has been entered by all users and is application-specific. Typical examples of user data in QuickBooks would be your journal entries, account balances, and inventory items.

Program data, in combination with user data, is stored and accessed by an application to provide you with the applicatios intended user experience. Without proper storage and accessibility of these data types by applications, applications cannot function.

Background on Data Storage Evolution

In the past, typical software applications used to be available by compact disc. Do you remember when Intuit used to mail out QuickBooks disks? You could also stroll into your local computer store and leave with a box with a disc in it. Whether or not you remember, these discs contained program data used to install your QuickBooks application on your desktop computer. Then came the internet, and the ability to connect your computer to a network of servers. This meant you could use your computer to access a wealth of information, and even download software applications. Nowadays, there is no need to download and install any software applications. And I know what yore thinking, “Well, if thas the case, then where is program and user data stored?” The answer is on the cloud!

Cloud Hosting Defined

Cloud hosting is a service that makes software applications accessible and useable over the internet, using a cloud network. A cloud network is an infrastructure of connected servers used as the foundation where program and user data are stored. Hosting basically replaces the need for a desktop computer to store program and user data on its hard drive. For those of you whose data is stored on a company server, you will no longer require it stored there. With an internet connection, the desktop computer can access and store program and user data over the internet. So, m sure you can now figure out what this means for QuickBooks?

Cloud Hosting Applied to QuickBooks

QuickBooks cloud hosting means your QuickBooks Desktop software can finally be free from in-office-only bondage! Your QuickBooks will no longer require you to store application and program data on your hard drive or company servers. Since program data and your QuickBooks user data are accessible over the internet, you can use any device for access. You can also access your QuickBooks data anywhere with an internet connection. So, sipping on Mai Tas while soaking up sun and processing payroll can be your new reality should you choose…If yore into that sort of thing.

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QuickBooks Cloud Hosting Considerations

Here is where you will find a myriad of information regarding what to consider when shopping for a quality QuickBooks cloud hosting service. To make this information more digestible, wve broken it down into sections with each subheading being an important consideration. Without further ado, les dive into these important considerations.

Security

Because of its sheer importance, security is the first on our list of considerations. Without understanding security and its importance, your QuickBooks data, and business, can be at great risk. However, selecting a quality hosting service from a highly competent provider can mostly eliminate that risk.

Unfortunately, the internet is notorious for vulnerability and predatory acts – making many consumers feel reluctant to implement a cloud hosting solution. Is vulnerable tendencies, and news of attacks on enterprises, are what drives the fear that lends credibility to the stigma. That stigma of becoming a victim of cybercrime due to adopting an internet-based solution. But, there is more to the story that most consumers do not realize.

What many consumers do not know are the technical details involved with security. As previously stated, selecting a quality hosting service from a highly competent provider can mostly eliminate your risk of victimization.

Security Infrastructure

Infrastructure is the most important component of the security consideration. Not only is the security hardware and software important, but also the security measures the provider employs. Combined, they make up the security infrastructure. A sophisticated and intelligently designed system should be the heart of any quality and highly competent hosting service provider. When you think about it, this will be the main set of defenses between your data and any potential harm. You will want to ensure your provides security infrastructure includes sound and relevant security technology.

Certifications & Programs

Another important component of your security consideration is the certifications held by the QuickBooks cloud hosting service provider. Certifications granted to providers from official organizations and institutions speak to that provides distinct level of product and/or service quality. The possession of security certifications mean that the provider has met or exceeded set security standards. These set security standards ensure a massive reduction in consumer risk. They can also vary in stringency based on industry needs; such as HIPPA in healthcare and AICPA in accounting. You will want to ensure your QuickBooks hosting provider has the right certifications to add credibility to their security standards.

In addition to certifications, is also very important to be sure your hosting provider has optimal security programs. These would include Anti-Virus, Anti-Ransomware, and Anti-Malware protection programs to help keep your online sessions secure. It is actually a new regulation that cloud hosting providers must now include Anti-Ransomware programs in their infrastructure. Be sure to ask any potential hosting providers to be sure these three programs are included in their security infrastructure.

Technological Evolution

The main trend that security experts see in data breach victims is a lack of consistent security risk assessments. Because technological innovations are constantly evolving by nature, so must the security infrastructure employed to protect consumers. Dot think for a second that cybercriminals aret keeping up with the times! This means that you will want to research your QuickBooks cloud hosting provides current security measures and technology. One of the simplest, yet most effective, security measures that any provider of any service can provide is multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication greatly reduces the success rate of any imposters attempting You will want to choose a provider that is forward-thinking and invests in the most current technological additions to their security infrastructure.

Performance & Stability

Performance and stability are large components of the user experience and what separates quality hosting providers from the rest. Performance has to do with how well your solution functions at its intended purpose. Stability has to do with the consistency of delivering on its performance. Here we will discuss both in greater detail.

Hardware & Software

There are a few different contributors to the overall performance and of a hosting service. However, the hardware and software make up the backbone. The hardware sets the mechanical operating limits on the performance end. Lower mechanical operating limits result in performance limitations. This can eventually contribute to latency, resulting in slower upload and download speeds. Software can also affect limitations, as different applications and processes require different sizes of data to be transmitted. Large data sizes require more bandwidth, and this must be managed efficiently to reduce sacrificing performance. The latest and greatest hardware and software will be best equipped to do this optimally.

When it comes to stability, we think consistency – specifically consistency with performance. Improperly managed hardware and software can lead to instability, which sounds like the worst orchestra you can imagine. Imagine an orchestra that is completely out of sync, sounding great sometimes, followed by the inevitable crash. Sometimes you wot even hear anything at all, with random sporadic intermissions. This lack of consistency and concerning unpredictability is what you can expect from instability, hence why it is so important!

Ultimately, you will want to ensure that your QuickBooks hosting provider has the latest and greatest hardware and software. You will also want to ensure that your QuickBooks hosting provider continually invests in the latest and greatest technology. This is because you want the best performance possible and you will want to see consistency in delivering that performance.

Speed & File Size

Speed is important, and it can be improved by hosting because of hardware and software, so naturally, it comes next. When you use desktop software then processing speed is largely dictated by your desktop computes hardware. However, when you use QuickBooks cloud-hosting software, speed is largely dictated by the hosting provides cloud network infrastructure. With the latest and greatest hardware and software, you will typically notice a significant increase in processing speed. There have been many clients with relatively small file sizes that see massive speed increases with hosting. Many have sought hosting as a means to achieve ultimate processing power without investing in costly infrastructure upgrades.

Ensuring Scalability

Ensuring scalability is an important component of the performance and stability consideration because you are a growing business. And, as a successful and growing business wants, you too want a solution that is going to grow with you. Because a hosting provider depends on its cloud network to store data, they need to have a large network. This translates to network expansion, and ideally, doing so preventatively. Reactive network expansion means you suffer for their lack of scalability preparation. You do not want to have to wait for your hosting provider to expand their network to accommodate your growth. And you also do not want to add wasting resources renegotiating your contract to your list of growing pains.

Preventative network expansion includes upgrading Central Processing Units (CPs) and Random Access Memory (RAM), among other things. This improves processing power and increases the storage space of the servers supporting the cloud network. And, as we discussed earlier, the servers are the backbone of the cloud network, so this is very important performance-wise. You will want to ensure that your QuickBooks hosting provider

Performance & Stability Measures

Measures need to be present and utilized to govern the performance and stability of the cloud network at all times. Measures also need to be in place to ensure constant access and data accessibility. If there is only one instance, or copy, of the cloud network and that instance crashes or is under maintenance, then how will you access your data? You would obviously lose your connection with your data and you would not be a happy camper!

This is why there must be redundancies in place to create multiple instances, or copies, of the cloud network. That way, you can always access a copy of your data and your data will always be backed up. And we do not need to explain why is important to backup your data. Have you ever spent a tremendous amount of time on a document only to close without saving and lose it? Well, avoiding that occurrence is why there needs to be multiple redundancies in place.

The last important component is data corruption, every QuickBooks uses worst nightmare. Data corruption can occur for a variety of reasons and it can be absolutely crippling. When data corruption occurs, you really only have two choices;

Restore your data to a previously saved backup, if you have one.
Contact Intuit or a QuickBooks Solution Provider (QSP) to repair your data damage.

Let face it, both of those options are not ideal. Especially if you do not have a recently saved backup and yore stuck with option two. Well, with QuickBooks hosting you will not have to worry about losing data. Sure data damage can happen to any QuickBooks file. But, with automatic frequent saves and multiple redundancies, your recently saved backup file is always current. So you can backup your data while you work and lose little to no progress if data damage occurs.

Support

Technical and Product Support is also an important consideration when choosing a quality, highly competent hosting service provider. Support is a component of your dats overall defense, and it is the customer service that you will rely on. If you are thinking that this is not very important to you, then we urge you to please think again.

Security is meant to keep uninvited guests out while allowing access to the chosen few. But, who will you contact if your security determines an invited guest to be a wolf in shees clothing? Better yet, who will you contact when you encounter a data issue? Or, what if you detect an intruder? Who will you collaborate with to ensure your data is safe and sound? I think you see where we are going with this now…

When you need help or have an emergency, you want the voice on the other line to be live. Better yet, how about a highly-trained professional? Consumer-reported data implies that a significant percentage of support calls deemed as emergencies required multiple escalations prior to resolution. That means a lot of wasted time and resources getting what you need. The highest quality support teams are highly trained and responsive to your needs. These are the qualities that you will truly appreciate if you ever need them. This means you will want to choose a QuickBooks hosting provider that has a responsive, highly-trained, US-based support team.

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Why Host Your QuickBooks with Us?

We discussed what to look for in a high-quality and highly-trained QuickBooks cloud hosting provider. Now that you know what you need to consider, why not take a peek at our solutions? We know what businesses need, so we have partnered with a plethora of the industry’s best QuickBooks cloud hosting providers. Through our partnerships, we provide QuickBooks cloud hosting solutions that exceed all the most critical business considerations. Here is a brief overview of what we offer:

Additional Benefits

Microsoft Office

The full Microsoft Office suite is included in all service plans for all hosted users (Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.)

Storage

Unlimited cloud storage is included in all service plans (additional fees may apply for overly-substantial usage) – most hosting service providers limit cloud storage space per account

Accessibility

Online Portal Login from any device, anywhere with an internet connection – Chromebook exception – not recommended for use due to lack of Windows RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

About Us

Out of the Box Technology is an Elite QuickBooks Solution Provider (QSP). We provide our clients with QuickBooks products and end-to-end Business services and Data services through our talented team of in-house ProAdvisor Advanced Consultants, possessing over 500 years of combined QuickBooks experience. Armed with our “SauceBox Approach^TM,” Out of the Box Technology’s Advanced Consultants live up to our motto, “Anything + Everything QuickBooks.” Contact us and let us show you the best possible client experience, every single time! And dot forget to check out our Company Blog for Free Resources, valuable How-Ts, and TONS of frequently added QuickBooks content!

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What is Our SauceBox™ Approach?

Our SauceBox Approach^TM is the internal process that we developed specifically to better serve our clients. This is essentially a five-step secret-sauce recipe to client success. We start by listening to the client and walking through a methodical approach to finding a solution that fits the cliens pain points. Our goal is to provide the best possible client experience, every single time!