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If you use MYOB, Quickbooks, Sage Accounts or any of the hundreds of other desk top accounting systems then you may be interested in joining the Cloud revolution.
We supply, install and support the very best of the new generation of accounting systems. We are able to transfer your existing Chart of Accounts, balances, transactions, customers, suppliers and products to the new system.
By installing the accounting system on our Internet server, you are able to access the information from anywhere in the world. Most of the time, this means:
- from your office,
- from your home,
- from your car, using your lap top computer or smart phone.
At Scotz.Net, we use one of the latest Open Source accounting system to run our business. Previously, we used the MYOB accounting system but, along with many thousands of other MYOB users, we were forced to look at alternative systems when the company decided to withdraw from the U.K.
We promised ourselves that we would never be put in that situation again and so we made the decision to opt for an Open Source accounting system using industry standard components that we can manage and develop ourselves should the need arise.
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TEX SPEX
Online Accounting Systems
WHY ONLINE ACCOUNTS SYSTEMS??
The bane of any micro or small business is time or, rather, the lack of it. There is always a balancing act between getting the job done, keeping the administration up to date and ensuring that your home life doesn't suffer.
After being on the job all day, returning to the office to do paperwork just isn't productive. Your batteries are run down and you will often be in the wrong frame of mind.
Much better to collect any post, paperwork etc. and take it home with you. You can them enjoy your dinner and family before using your home computer to connect to the accounting system (or any of the many available systems)and complete the working day.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING THE CLOUD?.
The advantages of using the Cloud are essentially about data security and technical expertise. A few decades ago, it was commonplace for core computer systems to be stored on a large central computer. You, as an authorised person, would be able to access the system using a connected terminal. The reasons were quite sensible namely:
- data security,
how often do you remember to back up your data? If you are like most small businesses, not as often as you should.
With Cloud computing, we do your data security for you though you still have the ability to perform your own data back up routine if you wish.
- technical support,
when things go wrong who you gonna call Ghostbusters? No, you will call Scotz.Net and we will help you to resolve any technical difficulties that crop up from time to time.
- keeping the system up to date.
How many Microsoft Windows, Adobe Reader (and Flash) and Java updates do you receive in a month? If you are like the rest of us, then quite a few.
Hands up those who actually know what they are doing and have no doubts at all whether the update was successful. As a guess, I don't think that there will be many hands.
The benefit of Cloud computing is that the centre - Scotz.Net, will perform the updates for you.
To some extent, the Cloud is going back in time and saying that core computer systems should be provided and supported from the centre as this is where the technical expertise is. It is like having your own specialist I.T. team on hand to support you but without the costs.
The difference between then and now is that the Internet provides the services at the centre and broadband provides connected terminal.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF USING THE CLOUD?.
The disadvantages of using the Cloud are the natural concerns of security and privacy. For instance:
- can the Internet server be infected with a virus?
Yes, any computer or smartphone can be infected with a virus. However, most of our Internet servers use the Linux system and this provides a high level of security.
Our servers are protected by:
- a physical firewall,
- a software firewall,
- anti virus software,
- encryption (where appropriate),
- extensive password usage,
- robust access permissions at user, directory / folder and file level.
- can anybody look at my data?
No, not everyone can look at your data. In general, your system is protected by a series of user names and passwords of which we know three:
- Linux user name and password,
- E-mail user name and password,
- FTP user name and password.
We know these because we set them up when we created your Internet account with us. As for the myriad of other user names and passwords, we have no knowledge of them and, due to encryption, no effective way of finding out.
IS IT SECURE?
There are a large number of criminals who want access to your bank account, your credit card, your goods and services and anything else they can lay their hands on. They are very plausible and professional so beware.
Our Internet servers enjoy industrial strength security, far more than the normal desk top computer. Apart from the security aspects, we back up your data regularly, usually daily. This means that we are confident that we will be able to protect your data from external threats.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating and sometimes it has to be a case of "do as I do". We run our own accounting system from one of our Internet servers and we have not had any problems of infection or infiltration.
IS IT EXPENSIVE??
Most desktop based accounting systems are purchased with a one off lump sum. Before long, as technical and procedural problems crop up, the pressure to purchase an annual support contract grows.
We believe that support is crucial to a small business when using a core system, it only takes one problem a year for the support service to pay for itself. It is the computer equivalent of a vehicle breakdown service.
We have thought long and hard about the best method of charging for our Cloud based services and have opted for a simple £x per month (subject to an initial 12 months contract). The charge covers:
- install and configure software,
- load database structure,
- set up system administrator,
- ongoing technical and usage support.
NB. The monthly charge does not cover:
- the conversion of data from your existing accounts system,
- training in the use of the system.
Is the service expensive?
No. At Scotz.Net our market is the micro and small business. We understand cash flow and so we keep our charges low. All charges are listed on our Pricing page.
WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?
As long as you can access the Internet, preferably using Broadband (for support purposes), then you can use our Cloud computing services.
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