How To Choose A QuickBooks Enterprise Hosting Provider

QuickBooks Enterprise is a premium accounting software trusted by over 135,000 companies across the world. Known for its easy-to-use interface and reliable functionalities, it is a popular choice among CPAs and accounting firms. And, when you host QB Enterprise on the cloud, you enjoy various other benefits like accessibility on the go, multi-user support, readily available backup support, and reduced IT spending. However, before you decide to host your QB Enterprise on the cloud, it’s necessary to decide upon a hosting provider. And this is where things can get complicated. Several factors should be carefully considered about a hosting provider since it is about your hosting provider's potential and capabilities, which determine the effectiveness of your cloud solution. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right QuickBooks Enterprise hosting service and reliable cloud provider for your organization:

1) Getting The Right Services

The first thing while choosing a QB Enterprise hosting provider is to determine their server’s capability. As you don’t want your QuickBooks Enterprise to suddenly freeze or stop working altogether, ensure that your hosting provider supports you with a smooth experience while working. Also, since add-ons also play a critical role while using QB Enterprise, it should be compatible with the required ones too. Secondly, check the type of the data center being provided. Data centers are the backbone of cloud hosting and come in four different types. They are classified from tier 1 to tier 4, with different businesses requiring different tiers for their needs. Since you will be storing your QB data in those centers, it is recommended to choose tier 3 or above. Also, pay close attention to the geographical location of data centers, and go for the one which carries a lower risk of being affected by a calamity.

2) Sticking To The Budget

Although leveraging technology allows us to make the best use of our resources, a hastily subscribed QB hosting solution can cause a serious drain of your finances. You may pay extra for services you never required in the first place. So, to better utilize your resources, it is essential to take a free trial of the services and then create your budget accordingly. After finalizing your budget, compare pricing options among different QB Enterprise hosting providers. As hosting providers follow the 'pay per use' pricing model, it is very easy to assume that you will be paying for only those services you use. However, other pricing possibilities like extra charge for data transfer, additional security costs, etc. may also be applicable. So, enquire about any expenses which can be levied in the near future, and then choose correspondingly.

3) Investigate Their Credibility

When it comes to compliances and security measures, almost every QB Enterprise hosting provider boasts a significant deal about it. However, since it will be your data at stake, you should thoroughly investigate their credibility before investing in them. Ensure that they follow comprehensive security guidelines and thoroughly follow their country’s data sovereignty regulations. Also, they should adhere to standard compliance requirements of PCI and HIPAA. The next thing you should check is their server and data center security. Choose a hosting provider that provides high-level security for your servers as well as the data centers. They should conduct timely security audits and have the latest available antivirus software. Also, for protecting your data safety, they must be equipped with end-to-end data encryption, intrusion alert facility, and regular backups. Their data centers should have round the clock security, constant CCTV monitoring, and biometric entries to further ensure the safety of your invaluable data.

4) Customer Handling And Support

One of the most crucial factors for choosing a QB Enterprise hosting provider is the quality of customer service. After you have gone forward and chosen your hosting provider, the next thing which comes into play is how they support you. The customer service department is the face of the hosting service, and how they treat their customers can mean the difference between an average and the best hosting provider. The customer service team should be easy to reach and available round the clock. They should be understanding, empathetic, and have a great deal of patience. Also, they must be thoroughly trained and provide experienced rapid assistance in every situation. Before you sign up with a hosting provider, make sure they are compatible with your desirable medium (i.e., through calls, text, or email) for contacting them. And since every minute counts in the accounting industry, they should provide at least 99.99% uptime with SLA-backed availability.

5) How They Hold Up In The Market

And lastly, their customer base. One of the best ways to know about a provider’s capabilities is to read their customer reviews. Since, these are the people who have been their previous customers or are currently using their services, going through their feedback will give you a clearer picture of their service quality. Shift through their reviews, or check their online ratings to know how they are currently performing in the market. Also, check if any major industry summits like Accountex, FinancesOnline, or K2 Enterprises have recognized any hosting provider for their commendable service. Since such achievements are awarded for providing exemplary services, it is safe to say that their recipients have the necessary experience and expertise. And more their value in the market, the better they are performing among their competitors.

Conclusion

Premium security measures, engaging customer service, and assured support reliability; these are some of the qualities the best hosting providers offer. However, since it is always the demand that guides the service required, it is better to analyze your organization’s needs and then go for a hosting provider. And, to make sure you have the right hosting provider for your QuickBooks Enterprise, don’t forget to keep these valuable tips in your mind.