Is it Easy to Move into QuickBooks Enterprise from Pro/Premier?
Previously, I shared some insights on the main reasons why businesses move into QuickBooks Enterprise from Pro/Premier.
Now, we’ll focus on the question:
“Is it easy to move into QuickBooks Enterprise from Pro/Premier?”
Here is the process – I’ll let you decide if it is easy or not (I think it definitely is).
PURCHASE QUICKBOOKS ENTERPRISE LICENSES
(Shameless promo: I can offer you a lifetime 20% discount on your QuickBooks Enterprise licenses)
To kick things off, you make the purchase of your Enterprise licenses.
In case you were not aware, Enterprise is ONLY offered on a subscription basis now, where you have to pay for it each year. This is quite unlike the usual Pro/Premier model where you pay for it once and use it for several years.
As part of the purchase process, you choose which subscription level you prefer:
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
My handy guide, “QuickBooks Enterprise: Silver, Gold or Platinum – Which One is Right for You?” will help you sort out the details and make the right choice.
From there, you make the choice to pay for your Enterprise 12 month subscription either monthly or annually.
Pro tip: The annual payment option is less expensive than the monthly payment option if your cash flow can swing it. See the QuickBooks Enterprise price comparison table on my web site.
DOWNLOAD QUICKBOOKS ENTERPRISE AND INSTALL IT
Once the purchase of your Enterprise subscription is complete, you will receive your licensing information and a link to download the electronic installation file.
(Note: for those who still prefer to install from a CD, you can also get that at no charge – you need to specify it though).
You download the installation file and then begin the installation process on each computer that needs to run QuickBooks. That includes your server too!
Pro tip: Be sure to install the “full version” of QuickBooks Enterprise on your server, not just the Database Manager. I suggest this because there are some utilities found in the full version that may be needed in the future (i.e. data rebuilds and condense) that are not found in the Database Manager. If these tools are ever needed, they should always be run on the server itself, not across the network.
Pro tip #2: The installation of the “full version” of QuickBooks Enterprise does NOT count as a user license, so you do not have to pay extra for that.
Pro tip #3: Choose to install the new version of QuickBooks in a separate folder. Do not choose to let it upgrade your existing version – I’ve seen too many problems with these “in-place” upgrades.
Ok, if the thought of touching any type of installation software or getting into a server makes you squeamish, I understand. In that case, tap the expertise of your IT firm to handle all of this for you.
LOCATE YOUR QUICKBOOKS DATA FILE AND OPEN IT IN ENTERPRISE
Browse to the location on your computer (or server) where your QuickBooks company data file is located.
Not sure where your file is located? Just open your old QuickBooks and tap the F2 key. It will tell you where the file is located.
Once the file is located, QuickBooks senses that an upgrade is needed to get it Enterprise ready.
You’ll see a message like this confirming that the upgrade is underway:
A couple of important notes here:
- Notice in the message above that a backup of your existing data file will automatically be made as part of this process
- Once you upgrade into Enterprise, you cannot revert back to Pro/Premier. The databases are incompatible. If you realize you made a mistake at this stage, you can quickly revert to the backup file that was made
- If you desire to move back to Pro/Premier after using Enterprise for a while, you will need to use a third party solution. I highly recommend the team at QuickBooksUsers.com for the Enterprise downgrade service.
GET RIGHT TO WORK!
Great news…
Once your upgrade to QuickBooks Enterprise is complete, there is no learning curve.
You can get right to work.
QuickBooks Enterprise uses the very same home screen and interface you’ve come to know in Pro/Premier over the years.
Here is a screenshot of the Enterprise Home screen so you can see for yourself:
And that’s it – you’re now up and running with QuickBooks Enterprise!
CARE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE?
That’s my take on making the move from QuickBooks Pro/Premier into Enterprise.
Care to share your experience? Better? Worse?
We’d love to know how it worked out for you!
