The FileBooks Link product must be installed on any computer that will link to QuickBooks.
FileBooks Link is Windows only. However, Mac users can still use it by obtaining Windows emulation software such as
Parallels and running SPCS and QuickBooks in the emulated Windows environment.
According to Intuit, only QuickBooks Enterprise works with Terminal Services (hereafter "TS"). With Enterprise at $3,000 for 5 seats (winter 2007 pricing), versus QB Pro at $475 for 3 seats, we recommend the following setup for multiple location TS installs of SCPS:
- Non-QuickBooks user connects to FMPro using TS
- QuickBooks (hereafter "QB") user connects to SCPS directly via an IP address, using the FileMaker and QB applications installed on their computer.
- All users can connect via terminal services when not interfacing with QB from SCPS (for speed improvements)
This setup has the following advantages:
- No need for the expense of obtaining another 3rd party application (some communication device for retrieving data from TS apps).
- Enterprise costs $600 a seat for the first five seats, not including the purchase of a TS linkage app. A 3-seat QB Pro + FileMaker purchase is about $380-500 a seat, depending on whether users buy individual copies of QB Pro, or if their FMPro purchase is an upgrade. Breakdown: QB 3-seat: $475 (~$160 ea); FMPro purchase: ($299, $179 upgrade).
We believe the setup outlined above will save users money and headaches, while still giving them all the flexibility they need to access QB files across multiple company locations and financial entities.
According to Intuit Customer Support, multiple users can be in the same data file using any multi-user version of Quickbooks, including Quickbooks Pro. However, only one person can be in a module at a time (Invoices, Estimates, etc.). This applies to Enterprise as well. The SCPS Quickbooks Link is multi-user, but may be limited to one user at times due to the Quickbooks limitation listed above.