B_Elite's avatar
B_Elite
Partner
11 years ago
Status:
Done

Installation: Allow Partners to work on multiple versions without installing older versions

Bookkeeping firms with multiple clients need the ability to work on different versions of files without having to upgrade them.

 

Currently when a new client turns up with their typically out-of-date MYOB company file, there is no easy way to work on this company file if the desktops all have current releases of software installed on them. It is not possible for example to install different versions of Plus 19.x side-by side on the same PC.

 

For example, a new client hands over their Plus 19.6 MYOB file. Inside the bookkeeping business the desktops have the lastest Plus 19.9 installed.

 

The options are;

1. Uninstall Plus 19.9 and install Plus 19.6 to work on their company file. This typically involves IT and is not flexible. Our bookkeeepers work on many different client files every day.

2. Upgrade the MYOB file to Plus 19.9 and have the client either pay for a one off upgrade to the latest version (with the same issue repeating down the track) or signup to a maintenance program.

3. Maintain multiple real or virtual desktops with different versions of Plus installed on each.

4. Change the serial number license associated with the company file to use the partner licenses which are up-to-date and then deal with the handover of the file later on. This appears to be the cheapest solution but if the client wants to work on their premises at the same time, this doesn't work.

 

All of these have financial implications and whilst it is logical that MYOB would prefer the 2nd option, the question is, is it reasonable for the bookkeepers to have put the pressure on their _new_ client to upgrade their MYOB software.

 

I suspect some accounting firms may be in a similar position, but accounting firms may not need to hand the file back to the client after they have worked on it.

 

MYOB need to value their partners and come up with a satisfactory solution to this problem.

 

I have posted this 'idea' as requested by the representive I spoke to yesterday who couldn't provide me a solution to this issue.

 

Regards

 

Helen


"Allow bookkeepers to work on multiple versions of MYOB files from one desktop"

Installer
Multiple Versions
Partners
Updates

16 Comments

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  • Steven_M's avatar
    Steven_M
    Former Staff
    2 years ago
    Status changed:
    Open
    to
    Done

    Hi Everyone

    For the AccountRight PC Edition (version 2021.1 onwards) and the AccountRight Server Edition (version 2022.4 onwards), AccountRight will check for available updates, download them and update you to the latest version automatically. This does mean that all users should be using the latest version of the software.


    If the customer does have a perpetual licence and they are not on the latest version we do recommend they get in touch for us to offer assistance with that upgrade to the latest version.

  • AndrewP's avatar
    AndrewP
    User
    11 years ago

    Hi

    BooksInTheCloud please could you give some tips on how to install the different versions. B_Elite was suggesting that you couldn't install v19.6 and 19.9 on the same computer. Suja_P seemed to be confirming this with her work around. I haven't tried yet but I also need to open a client's file from v19.6 in a copy of v19.9. Any help would be aprreciated.

     

    AndrewP

  • CloudMindAcc's avatar
    CloudMindAcc
    Ultimate Partner
    11 years ago

     

    I just simply have each version installed.  It takes a few hours to get it sorted and yet after that it is smooth running.  Sometimes the  little effort to get all the versions installed outways the frustration of not being able to open the files.   Personally I would rather MYOB spend the time working on "ideas" in the latest versions rather than re-creating the wheel. :smileyhappy:

     

     

  • Suja_P's avatar
    Suja_P
    Former Staff
    11 years ago

    Hi Carmen,

     

    Thank you for your enquiry. You are right, the program does not prompt you to upgrade a file from v19.6 when opened in v19.9 (or v19.7 / 19.8 for that matter), due to the version number (v19) being the same. 

     

    This most often will not cause any issues with confirming the file. However if the file were to be opened in v19.9 and then taken back to v19.6 there can be issues caused due to the different Payroll Tax Tables in the two versions. 

     

    Therefore it is recommended to open the clients' files using the version that they are registered for, except in situations (as per my suggestion to Helen) where the files are opened using different programs with the same version numbers (Plus v19.6 / Premier v19.6 / Enterprise v19.6). 

     

    Regards,

    Suja
    MYOB Support

  • carmen's avatar
    carmen
    Partner
    11 years ago

    Hi All,

     

    This is very interesting.  I have several clients on V19.6 and have not upgraded to 19.9 as the subscription costs are way too high.  I have automatically opened up the data files in 19.9 and there has never been a warning to suggest upgrading from 19.6 to 19.9?  Is this going to cause a problem when the time comes to confirm the company file?

     

    Carmen :)

  • B_Elite's avatar
    B_Elite
    Partner
    11 years ago

    Thanks Suja. I have Premier 19.6 installed as I have some clients on that. I will have a go at your suggestion. Ta, Helen

  • Suja_P's avatar
    Suja_P
    Former Staff
    11 years ago

    Hi B_Elite 

     

    Further to my comments above, a workaround that you could try would be to install Premier and Enterprise for the other versions.

     

    So if you currently have Plus v19.9 installed, you could install Premier v19.6 and Enterprise v19.5.

     

    It is however important that you do not use any of the additional features (multi currency, multi location Inventory, negative inventory and so on) available in Premier and Enterprise.

     

    Also please note that you would not be able to confirm your client's files in these versions.

     

    Regards,

    Suja
    MYOB Support 

  • Suja_P's avatar
    Suja_P
    Former Staff
    11 years ago
    Status changed:
    New
    to
    Open
    Thank you for your post, B_Elite. I can understand the need for bookkeeping firms such as yours needing to install multiple versions of a software on a single machine. As you are aware and mentioned by jenniek, this used to be possible in the past, by simply changing the folder name of the second and following installs. However this is no longer possible with v19. This may be something that can be brought back in future updates. In the meantime please refer to my post below for a possible workaround. We request others who would like this to be brought back to please Vote and add comments.
  • B_Elite's avatar
    B_Elite
    Partner
    11 years ago

    Thanks for your emails jenniek. Best you stay at 19.8 for awhile..lol Hopefully they rethink and change it as very small businesses cannot afford to pay a monthly fee or upgrade as regular as MYOB has been of late. Cheers.