Hands up all the recently registered builders out there who are computer experts?

That's what I thought. Lets face it you probably didn’t' elect for computer studies in High School otherwise you would be a "nerd" somewhere in an office not working "in the trenches" with some apprentice.

The Choices

So when you discover that you actually have to equip your small business with Accounting Software for Builders why would you choose a system that requires you to maintain your own Server? Now you probably had a computer in your home office – for Facebook, sports results and other critical internet application. You may have even used a spreadsheet to work up a quote or two. But do you really understand the importance of Data Backups? Do you have your Server protected by an Uninterruptible Power Supply? What are you going to do when your business grows and you need more than one user accessing the accounts at the same time? Networking is not about Friday night drinks with your mates!

These days Accounting Software for Builders doesn't just come in a box. It also comes via the Cloud. It's called a managed Hosted Solution.

Introducing Managed Hosted Services

You can access it via the internet and print to your local printers. Professionals will take a nightly backup of your data while you get a well deserved rest. They'll even store it in more than one location in case the Data Centre suffers a disaster.

And its cheaper so your cash-flow doesn't have to take a hit. Why is it cheaper? Well you don’t pay the whole licence fee up front. Instead you pay a smaller amount and you don't need to purchase that Server either – or the UPS if you were going to get professional about it.

Why Buy When You Can Rent?

And because you didn’t buy computer hardware you don’t have to replace it every 5 years as it gets less "fit-for-purpose"

If your software vendor is also managing the Servers then this option will prove to be quicker to implement. No need to ship a server to them for installation or waiting for their technical people to come to your office. They'll complete all the setup work remotely.

Now since you are accessing your software through the internet you can also access it remote from your office – while your on the building site. You may be able to do this with your Server version but with Hosted it's easier to set up.

Of course your software will be automatically updated to the latest version with all the current fixes and the freshest industry data such as Tax scales and RDO Calendars. Likewise your operating system at the server farm will be updated to the latest release.

Flexible

Finally you are not locked in. You can change your mind later on. In fact Hosting agreements can often be terminated altogether with just a months written notice. Or if you decide for whatever reason you really do want to have your own in-house server you can change the deployment method and upgrade the licence. Since the system was probably established as a Virtual then it's straight forward to move your system to your own server.

All this means more free time for you to manage your building business rather than turning yourself into something you're not a Computer Expert. So Server-less may be the smarter option for you when you are choosing your Accounting Software for Builders.