QuickBooks 2017 is nearing the end of its life cycle. It’s the time of year again for many long-time users. You may be wondering what that means if you’ve just started using QuickBooks Desktop. Simply put, anyone still using 2017 after May 2020 will lose access to critical add-ons.
Any live support for any query or troubleshooting measure relating to Desktop 2017 that you are currently using will be unavailable after May 31. What exactly does this imply? Continue reading to find out which software and applications are affected, as well as how the discontinuation would impact your support experience.
What is Affected by Discontinuation?
Software products, add-ons, and the services they provide are all examples of this. The following is a list of QuickBooks products and services that are no longer supported or functional.
- QuickBooks Enterprise Desktop 2017
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2017 is the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop.
- QuickBooks Premier Desktop 2017
- QuickBooks Desktop Accountant 2017 is a desktop accounting software.
That’s right: unlike last year’s note, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac did not have a version 2017 – instead, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020 was released. We’re excited to see what the next edition of QuickBooks has in store for Mac users.
Affected QuickBooks Add-ons
The affected QuickBooks add ons as follows:
- Assisted, Basic/Enhanced, and Full Service QuickBooks Payroll
- Online Banking/Bank Feeds for QuickBooks Payments
- QuickBooks Accountant’s Copy File Transfer ACH Processing
- Multi-currency support (exchange rates)
Affected Third-Party Add-Ons
Although there isn’t a complete list of third-party apps available, we can recommend a few that might be useful to your business. However, third-party developers must only develop and test for supported versions of QuickBooks until End of Life; after that, they must create and test for versions 2018, 2019, 2020, and the future performance, which is expected to be released this fall. Popular apps for those who aren’t familiar with them are:
- QuickBooks TSheets
- Inventory Fishbowl
- Avalara Avatax
- Recur360
- com
- Importer/Exporter Pro Transaction
If I Like the Version I’m Using, Why Should I Upgrade QuickBooks Desktop?
Use QuickBooks 2017 after the End of Life date and encounter results, reliability, or usage guidance issue. Intuit won’t provide the same support level as versions they’ll continue to support – after May 2020. Here are some examples:
- How to exclude items from a specific list, such as a map of accounts, an object list, a customer list, or a vendor list.
- After a series of Windows updates on a workstation, 2017 is behaving strangely.
- Reports aren’t showing figures as predicted, or the Balance Sheet is out of balance.
It is impossible to guarantee that users of 2017 will obtain more assistance than a document containing measures to address or answer inquiries emailed to them.
Why Are Products Discontinued Regularly?
The evolution of business technology is critical for continued innovation, development, and productivity. Based on this assumption, Intuit strives to develop better applications and resources for its customers.
“We are committed to creating simple, clear financial resources that support you today and evolve with you tomorrow,” Intuit says of the discontinuation cycle. But it’s a juggling act – improving and simplifying QuickBooks Desktop while still maintaining older versions.”
Regularly scheduled Windows updates rapidly alter the environment in which daily programmes must keep up in usability, efficiency, and performance. When it comes to cybersecurity, new measures designed to combat new threats need special attention to ensure security – as well as usability.
Do I Have to Upgrade to the Latest Version of QuickBooks?
You don’t, believe it or not – though it is recommended. We understand that not everyone is interested in the most recent technological advancements. Newer versions of any software, on the other hand, provide increased capabilities for increased functionality, performance, and development.
Many of the features present in 2017, 2018, and 2019 are grandfathered in QuickBooks Desktop 2020, along with new features:
- Order Fulfillment
- Check to Bill Pay
- One-Click Upgrade
- Multiple Display Support
- Mobile Barcode Scanning
- Print, Pack, and Ship Order Fulfillment
If you’re still undecided, stay tuned for our next instalment, which will take a closer look at each of the features present in 2018, 2019, and 2020. But if you can’t wait, contact one of our product experts who will walk you through each version in a free consultation to ensure the solutions are the right fit for your business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, QuickBooks Desktop software is one hell of accounting software, and you got to keep it updating with further updates and versions. This blog’s whole idea of this blog is to give you a brief idea about why you should buy QuickBooks 2020 over 2017.