When your accounting system is hosted on a local server in your office building, the data is readily accessible.
There are few restrictions on importing and exporting segments of data upon need. Both access time and speed are
relatively reasonable.
When you shift your accounting system to the cloud, especially in a co-hosted environment, restrictions are set for both time and speed of accessibility. Store on the “cloud”, your data access is only as fast as the bandwith of your internet connection. Many accounting system hosts are restrictive on allowing you to front load a lot of historical data to their system, even though it is your own private installation. Co-hosting, after all, means you are sharing the server, even though a separate partition, with other businesses. This takes a toll on the pipeline to the co-hosted server.
Some cloud-based accounting systems have awkward data record layouts and don’t want to be taxed into figuring out how to convert your older, historical sales, purchases and financial information into their layouts. It’s not just their fear of scaring you about the costs to do so, but that it ties up their time in doing these conversions. They want cookie cutter operations. They want the majority of their clients to conform to their off-the-shelf programming. It’s easier to support and when updates are made available it can be deployed to many clients with less hassle.
The above is not to discourage you to consider moving your accounting system to the cloud but rather to be aware of all issues related to the move. If you need someone to help you navigate this transition, give us a call. We only have more than 35 years experience with business accounting systems.
Give us a call at 773-502-5771 or email us at info@lteren.com as a step in the right direction to overcoming concerns you have in your undertaking.