[DM-MUG] Point of Sale and Business Accounting Application?

[AB]

Quickbooks is generally the standard for accountants. Trends in software in trade specific markets are slow to change. 

I have no accounting background, and had never used Peachtree or any accounting application. Most of my knowledge is with Adobe and Microsoft applications. I troubleshooted how to covert and export Peachtree files into the Quickbooks format for my boss's assistant to send off to their contracted accountant. 

I agree with Victoria, the most difficult part was the accounting jargon the program used. As long as the program can convert or export files into what accountants need, use whatever works. Microsoft money got good feedback from mom and pop, small home office businesses using Windows platforms, but you'd have to check the features and specs.

Not trying to lecture. This is a heads up.
Software legalities For commerical/business intentions

Whatever the software, be sure to remember most software is an individual license. So if you intend to install the software on more than one computer it has to be one laptop and one desktop and both have to be used by only one person and the one person has to own both computers. Some softwares are available (sometimes in different versions) for different purpose, such as educational or personal use.

Putting the software on 2 desktops or 2 laptops or more and used by more than one person or 1 desktop owned by one person and 1 laptop owned by a second person requires purchasing multiple licenses in order to abide by the Terms of Use and End User agreement.

Multiple licenses either means 1. buying th same software disc in multiple quantities, or 2. contacting the manufacturer to purchase distinctively separate serial numbers, product keys, or licensing numbers to enter in during the installation process. 
Option 2 is sometimes cheaper than Option 1. If concerned, ask the representative, retailer, or salesperson. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk for being caught for software piracy and also may void your qualification for the software to check and install updates to fix bugs for the programs to operate smoothly, for technical and product support from the developer/manufacturer. Using an inappropriate (educational or personal) version and/or using one license inappropriately for commercial/business use is or may also be considered software piracy. 

I spent a few years as the authority on software, selling alot of software to business owners and start up companies. I also did some freelance design work at one point before working for a small company which didn't exactly honor the Terms of Use. When they needed technical and product support, the manufacturer refused to give them help because the manufacturer was able to look up the product key and serial number and discovered it was an educational version being used for commercial purposes. Lesson: The owner was not happy he was caught trying to pull a fast one.  Be safe; know the rules; play by the rules. Otherwise, be willing to pay for the consequences.

The end. Good luck!!! :)

-A.

> From: Victoria L. Herring <VLH at HerringLaw.com>
> Subject: Re: [DM-MUG] Point of Sale and Business Accounting Application?
> To: "Des Moines Mac Users Group" <dmmug at dmmug.org>
> Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 9:12 AM
> Thanks Mike == I have enough apps to
> keep me busy.  My accountant 
> uses QB [Win] so getting info to her and letting her do her
> job will 
> help and she has kept an eye on the Trust Acct in the past
> so I think 
> we're good that way.
> -- 
> Victoria L. Herring, Des Moines, Iowa. Blogs: 
> http://blog.JourneyZing.com  [photography]; 
> http://www.herringlaw.com 
> [civilrights/discrimination]; 
> http://victorialherring.typepad.com/serendipity/ 
> [personal].
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