QuickBooks is a very popular introductory accounting system – and for good reason! The system is very simple to install, configure and user-friendly. As an introductory piece of software it is also easy to learn, which is great for small businesses. However, a system of this type has its limitations and provides functionality focused mostly around accounting and financials. For growing businesses who require additional features for inventory management, CRM, eCommerce integration and reporting, it may be time to replace QuickBooks. In this article we will discuss the reasons to start thinking bigger if you are to increase efficiency and grow your business.
To make this process easier, we have put together a QuickBooks Replacement Kit – Switching from QuickBooks.
There are a few limitations with QuickBooks that may cause you to realize that it isn't actually best suited for your growing business. The top 5 reasons to replace QuickBooks are:
- Limited Reporting
- Double Entry and Keying Errors
- Limitations with File Size and Data
- Generic and Impersonal Support
- Lack of Integration
1. Limited Reporting and Transparency of Business Health
Certain accounting reports in QuickBooks are detailed and user-friendly, however, the nature of having a system that is not fully integrated means there may be data in other systems that are inaccessible. QuickBooks is primarily an accounting solution so business who use other means of managing their warehouse and inventory data may find it more difficult to combine it in a meaningful way.
2. Double Entry and Keying Errors
If you use a separate system in conjunction with QuickBooks (even Excel or paper) you probably already know the troubles of double-entry and keying errors. Taking information from one system and manually transferring it to another is like walking a tightrope with accidents just waiting to happen. Keying errors are particularly common when data does not move automatically throughout the system. Ultimately this can lead to incorrect business information and data loss – impacting customer satisfaction and hurting your bottom line.
3. Limitations with File Size and Data
Entry-level software is not built for substantial data requirements and may begin to slow as your business grows. To prevent this, it is common for a limit on data file size to be set, which forces you to purge your data on an ongoing basis. The implementation of an all-in-one solution eliminates this process and frees up your time for analyzing the data.
4. Generic and Impersonal Support
QuickBooks is extremely popular, but as a result the support you receive may not be personalized and specific to your business. The benefit of moving upstream is that you will receive specialized support by those that understand your business (some businesses more than others). There are some solutions out there that will offer functionality that is specific to your industry in which you can expect the support team to understand your technical and/or business problem. The best systems are those that offer unlimited customization (with maintenance upgrades). This allows you to create a custom solution perfect for your specific business processes.
5. Lack of Integration
One of the most compelling reasons to move off QuickBooks is to have a single system to manage your business. No more paper, excel or inventory add-ons to worry about. Dealing with a single interface with interconnected data can do miraculous things for productivity.
If your business is doing well and has grown significantly from when you first implemented QuickBooks, chances are you are in need of more robust and integrated software. Making the jump may not be easy, as the next step can seem prohibitively expensive. Read our article on ERP Software Pricing: Software Tiers to set realistic expectations in your software search.
