Peachtree News
From Sage Software's October 29, 2007 press release: "Sage Software today announced the general availability of a new QuickBooks conversion tool, aimed at simplifying the process for businesses that are ready to make a switch to Peachtree to utilize its extensive functionality and ease of use... The new conversion tool features a simple wizard, which walks the individual through each step of the process with detailed help, and pre- and post-conversion checklists. Businesses using QuickBooks 2006 or 2007 can easily convert and transfer their lists, balances, transactions and other data right into Peachtree. For an overview of what is included in the conversion, visit www.peachtree.com/qb.

Capitol Data Accounting News
We've added a section to our website which allows you to view some of the custom Crystal Reports we have written. Use these examples to get ideas for reports you might write yourself using Crystal, or contact us about adapting these reports for you. We can provide these reports to you as they are, or with any modifications you suggest. Here's the link.

Peachtree Tips
We're still getting questions about Microsoft's new operating system - Vista. Unfortunately, while things are getting better, Vista still seems to be best to avoid if possible. Some software and hardware is not compatible with Vista, and other software and hardware is only compatible when special fixes and patches are down loaded. An example is Crystal Reports for Peachtree which is not compatible with Vista, and no fixes are currently available to correct this. People I've talked to who are using Vista tell me that they don't see clear benefits from the program, but they do experience at least occasional problems, mostly due to compatiblity issues.

When upgrading your Peachtree be sure you have plenty of ram. Starting with Peachtree r2007, significantly more computer ram is required and if you have a multiuser environment, be sure the ram is adequate on all stations running Peachtree. Click here to see full system requirements.

For companies who need access to their accounting software from remote locations, Sage Software now offers Peachtree Remote Access. This system costs $14.95/month for two PCs or $24.95/month for five or more PCs. Peachtree Remote Access allows you and your employees to do work at accounting workstations in your office from anywhere in the world. All that's needed at the remote location is a computer with Internet access.

Perhaps your main office is in Boston, but you have another office in Worchester, or Orlando. Employees in these other offices can log into the computers in the Boston office while they are actually sitting in Worchester or Orlando. They are working remotely, but from their computer screen, it seems to them as if they are actually in your Boston office.

Employees who are working remotely don't need to have Peachtree on their computers because Peachtree Remote Access allows them to run accounting software located back at the main office. Depending on the number of remote uses, you'll want to have one or more computers set aside for these remote uses to work with.

Suppose, for example, you have a full time bookeeper in the Boston office and you have a manager who is in Orlando for part of the year. Because the bookkeeper is working full time, you'll want to have two computers set up with Peachtree in the Boston office. One will be for the full time bookeper to use and the other will be for manager to use when logging in from Orlando. This second station could be the same station that the manager uses where he or she has returned from Orlando and is now working in the Boston office again. See Peachtree's webpage on this.

If you only have one local and one remote user, then all you need, as a minimum, is a single copy of single-user Peachtree. If your remote user is accessing the office computer after hours, then a sigle computer running single-user Peachtree software located in the main office will be adequate. Remember, your remote users are not running their own Peachtree - when they log in, they are utilizing the Peachtree in your office.

NOTE: It's a good idea if the computer in the main office that employees are logging into has a battery backup so it does not shut down in the event of a short power loss to the building where it is located.

Accounting Tips
Keeping debits and credits straight are an important part of accounting. Remember that:
- When you add money to your checking acount, that is a Debit in your general ledger (Dr).
- When your bank loan increases, that is a Credit in your general ledger (Cr).

Specials
For companies who will only have one remote user, we've found that the competing product called LogMeIn works very well and is less expensive than the solution offered by Sage Software for Peachtree. Logmein allows one remote user to access your Peachtree accounting - at no charge. This two station configuration is a free service that LogMeIn offers. See their website here.

We can work with you by phone to set this up. Our cost to work with you to get you started using LogMeIn with one remote Peachtree user and to help with any questions that may arise during the first 30 days is $99.00. If you'd like to take advantage of this offer, click here to contact us.