Intuit's beefed-up QuickBooks 2008 has a number of new features, many obtained from direct feedback from users, built around the themes of ease-of-use, faster payment, and streamlined flow of data from clients to accountants. In the last category, QuickBooks 2008 streamlines data flow to an accountant with a send to accountant button, backwards compatibility to previous-years' QB versions, and other expanded capabilities, including bank reconciliations. Other features include faster remote access to clients' computers, a conversion tool for transactional data, and a SmartMaps feature to flow information into returns.
Ease-of-use has been increased via a "QuickBooks Coach" feature that calls up step-by-step instructions and highlights for new users paths through the process of using QB. A new help system also includes topics tabs based on where users are in the app, and includes the option of asking questions of other QB users in an online forum.
Beefed-up payment improvements include a billing app that interfaces with Outlook to designate billable appointments, and that flows information into the QB invoicing system and produces an Outlook-based invoice.
Advertisement
Other features include a Google Maps integration that provides a map hyperlink for addresses used in the app. The Enterprise version also includes multi-location inventory management, and the ability to transmit in electronic data interchange (EDI).
Other areas of interest
