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QuickBooks 2011 to add multi-user support, more

by Dave Caolo Sep 7th 2010 at 3:00PM

Intuit is preparing to release QuickBooks 2011 for the Mac on September 27th with some great new features like multi-user support (finally!), mileage tracking, and more. We had a chance to explore this new version with William Lynes, QuickBooks product manager. It's quite Mac-like, and I suspect it will be a welcome update for QuickBooks users.

The marquee feature of this update is multi-user support. "It was our number one request," Lynes told us. Many customers have experienced the frustration of wanting to work in QuickBooks, only to be denied because another user has a certain file open. Stop us if you've heard this one before. Fortunately, QuickBooks 2011 fixes all of that.

In fact, up to five people can simultaneously create invoices, generate purchase orders, access vendor information, etc. Plus, QuickBooks 2011 lets an administrator set access permissions for those users. For instance, Jane from inventory doesn't need to see payroll information, while the small business owner will want full access to his or her numbers. All in all, QuickBooks 2011 lets you set permissions across eight areas. In the demonstration we received, the management area was simple to navigate. An overview panel lets you see who's on, what their permission level is, how long they've been connected, and (new to QuickBooks 2011) if they're on iChat. Now, a quick question is just an IM message away.

Mileage tracking is also new to QuickBooks 2011. Now, users can track mileage across up to four vehicles. Miles can be entered individually or in batches. You can even add mileage to invoices, if you bill for that sort of thing (it's simply another line item and easy to add), and browse four new mileage-specific reports: mileage by vehicle summary, mileage by vehicle detail, mileage by job summary, and mileage by job detail. I prefer the instant digital recording of Gas Cubby, but of course, I'm not a large shop with a fleet of vehicles and drivers to monitor.

This update fulfills another big request from Mac users: Numbers support. "A huge number of our customers have asked for Numbers support," Lynes told us. "We're happy to offer it." With QuickBooks 2011, users can export data directly to Numbers. Previously, users with Numbers would first have to export to CSV and then import into Numbers, sometimes losing formatting preferences. Now, a one-click export to Numbers gets the job done easily.

Additionally, Intuit has ramped up the customization options with this update. New tools let users customize both reports and invoices. In our demo, it was very easy to drop a logo onto an invoice, choose colors, and so on. You needn't be a designer to make a great-looking report, but Lynes noted that Mac users typically have a keen sense of aesthetics (really?) and want things to look good.

Here's another nice touch. Intuit's developers have launched Little Square, an informative support site intended for users of QuickBooks; chances are all small business owners will find something helpful there. It's updated regularly with great posts and feature articles that you may find useful.

QuickBooks 2011 is a very nice update indeed. QuickBooks 2011 for the Mac will be available for download or for phone and Web orders on September 27th, with copies arriving in retail outlets by October. Pricing is as follows (all prices are US dollars):
  • 1-User: $229.95
  • 2-User: $439.95
  • 3-User: $599.95
  • Add-a-seat: $209.95


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Intuit is preparing to release QuickBooks 2011 for the Mac on September 27th with some great new features like multi-user support...
 

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william_lynes

Hi mentalsticks,
Dave will be getting a copy of QuickBooks 2011 for Mac to review in the next few days. Once one of the TUAW staff have a chance to spend some time with it, I think you can expect to see a more comprehensive review.

Best,
Will Lynes
Product Manager
QuickBooks for Mac

September 08 2010 at 11:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Christianvz

Same crap different year... people will still have problems with just about everything the product has to offer.

I switched my company to MoneyWorks Gold in 2007 and I just dont have any issues with exporting/importing, multi users, currency etc...

@mentalsticks I must agree...

Steve Jobs would NEVER agree to this package. Its just not... Mac enough...

This is not a accounting system its a waste of time.

September 08 2010 at 4:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stanley

I'm always hopeful, but every version of Intuit's Mac version of Quickbooks in the last six years has turned out to be horrible. Perhaps someday a Macintosh version will eliminate the workaround of using the Windows version in VMware Fusion or Parallels. To their credit, however, Intuit's TurboTax software for the Macintosh is pretty good.

September 07 2010 at 6:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loup407

Intuit does suck, as others have pointed out. I doubt their commitment to Mac's; as do others. Thanks for the head's up on Account Edge; I'm anxious try dump anything related to Intuit as their support for Mac users is grim.

September 07 2010 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cecil

Can you import from Filemaker with this version? That is my ONLY problem with Quickbooks. For God's sake. Why can't we get information into Quickbooks easily????????

September 07 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
motech

my father is dying for a version of quickbooks for his ipad.
he wants to get rid of his macbook completely . .

September 07 2010 at 4:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott Rose

I gave up on QuickBooks a long time ago. All of our clients use the much superior AccountEdge for Mac.

AccountEdge has always been multi-user (and cross-platform!!), it's made by a company that actually CARES about Mac users, they have REAL tech support that isn't located in India, that never abandoned the Mac platform for 10 years, they truly listen to their customers' feedback, and... they STILL have more features than QuickBooks 2011.

For example, did you know that QuickBooks for Mac doesn't even let people "create purchase orders from invoices", a very common need for people that work with product sales. QuickBooks for Windows has ALWAYS allowed Windows users to do this, AccountEdge for Mac has ALWAYS allowed Mac & Windows users to do this... yet QuickBooks for Mac doesn't allow Mac users to do this! Absolutely crazy!

AccountEdge is sooo much more customizable than QuickBooks for Mac, too. And... AccountEdge will give you a free copy of AccountEdge for your accountant, so if your accountant doesn't already own AccountEdge, they can get a copy for free to do your taxes.

QuickBooks for Mac also doesn't have integrated payroll services, whereas AccountEdge does.

We are completely fed up with Intuit's lousy products, TERRIBLE product line for Macs, and HORRENDOUS India-based technical support.

Good riddance, QuickBooks. We will never need you because we love AccountEdge.

September 07 2010 at 4:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michaeldavidcohen

It also doesn't use Intuit payroll, which is a critical function in our business.

September 07 2010 at 3:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to michaeldavidcohen's comment
william_lynes

Hi Michael,
Quick clarification: QuickBooks for Mac integrates with QuickBooks Payroll for Mac, which is also marketed as Intuit Online Payroll. QuickBooks for Mac does not integrate with QuickBooks Basic Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, or Assisted Payroll, which I suspect is what you're referring to.

Best,
Will Lynes
Product Manager
QuickBooks for Mac

September 08 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Boz

No credit for features that should've been there all along.

The PC version of QuickBooks Pro (which QuickBooks Mac is supposed to be comparable to) has had every one of these features for years, and lots more.

It's good that Intuit is taking Mac users seriously, but I question the level of their commitment.

September 07 2010 at 3:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
asnyder

Quickbooks for Mac's biggest drawback IMHO has been the lack of creating an accountant's copy. So, does Intuit believe that Mac users don't interact with accountants? If this version has accountant's copy, I may finally be able to ditch Parallels on my Mac and go fully Windows free.

September 07 2010 at 3:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to asnyder's comment
william_lynes

Hi asnyder,
We will consider adding the Accountant's Copy in a future version. Based on customer feedback multiuser was a higher priority, so that was our focus this year.

One alternative I've seen to sending the company file to an accountant is using a remote access tool for the accountant to access QuickBooks on your Mac directly. Examples include Back to My Mac and GoToMyPC.

Best,
Will Lynes
Product Manager
QuickBooks for Mac

September 08 2010 at 11:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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