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What is a "QuickBooks Add-On"?

Written by: Scott Gregory

Article Overview: One of the fastest growing areas within the QuickBooks "eco-system" relates to add-on software. QuickBooks does a number of things very well, some things moderately well, and others.... well, we won't even go there. Read on for more insight on how add-ons allow you to retain your investment in QuickBooks for your accounting needs, AND get the functionality that QuickBooks can't provide.

What is a "QuickBooks Add-On"?

I wanted to take a moment and provide some additional insight to this question that pops up quite often when talking to existing QuickBooks users and those who are considering QuickBooks. Put simply, a QuickBooks add-on is software that was created by a third-party company (not Intuit) that can connect with QuickBooks and add additional functionality in one or more areas.

AN EXAMPLE TO HELP CLARIFY...

If you have used QuickBooks for any length of time, you know that within the customer record, there are only 2 name fields and 2 phone number and e-mail fields. In addition, it is very difficult to do marketing campaigns to print mailing labels or create e-mails based on any product sales criteria without a lot of extra work.

For some businesses, these limitations are not a problem. For others, the limitations are a big problem. For those businesses, they often go in search of software that contains this additional functionality, but that business also is very interested in retaining the core accounting functionality of QuickBooks.

Enter the Intuit Marketplace for QuickBooks add-on software!

In our example, using the Intuit Marketplace, we can find several "add-on" software packages with extensive customer management features, such as Results CRM. The Intuit Marketplace allows you to search for add-on products by business need or by industry.

PRICING AND FEATURES WILL VARY

The goal of QuickBooks add-on software is to provide the functionality that a business needs but that is either limited or not available in QuickBooks.

The QuickBooks add-on software connects with QuickBooks where necessary to keep the information between the two programs in sync. Some connections are done manually, and others are more automated.

In addition, each company that sells QuickBooks add-on software has their own price lists, warranties, and technical support options that are outside of those offered by QuickBooks. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to add-on software.

DEMOS AND TRIALS ARE AVAILABLE

In many cases, these QuickBooks add-on software vendors provide webinars, trials or demos to help you see just how their software connect and works with QuickBooks, as well as the additional functionality they offer that QuickBooks doesn't.

Before you begin your search in the Intuit Marketplace for add-on software, it is critical to develop a list of the "must have" and "nice to have" features you are looking for. In addition, having some type of budget handy will be exceptionally helpful too.

CONFUSED BY IT ALL?

It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the options and choices available to you.

Not to worry - one of the services I offer is a needs analysis to help you develop what is called a "short list" of potential QuickBooks add-on software solutions to review and evaluate.

If you think the functionality of a QuickBooks add-on makes sense, but don't have the time to invest in sorting out the fact from fiction, let's talk further.

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Article Tags: crm for quickbooks, free quickbooks tips, inventory add on for quickbooks, programs that work with quickbooks, quickbooks add on, what is a quickbooks add on



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