MYOB offline being phased out

Mike_MYOB​ Not sure the second option you mention is REALLY an option since MYOB states that even this option will be phased out! So, what do we do then????

I purchased a perpetual license of AR which means I am meant to be able to own & use it for as long as I want. How the hell can MYOB turn around & tell us they will stop us from using our legally bought software from working on our computers? 

I hope the manufacturer of the car you legally bought doesn't show up one day & tell you that you now have to pay a monthly 'hire' fee to use it & if you don't, they will immobilize the engine so you can't use it!!

Like Cappuccino​ & swervyn​  have said, not all small businesses need all the bells & whistles, we just need to create some invoices & submit our BAS. I don't want my software loaded in the cloud or on your servers.

I don't need continuous updates, I just need to be able to use the product I bought & own.

Thanks Mike for pointing out another option that I did not ask for, nor require. I purchased the software and use it offline. It doesn't need to be phased out, I do not want updates, I do not want bug fixes, I do not want to use it online. I want to continue to use the product that I paid for in the exact way that I purchased it for. I do not want to or should I need to pay a yearly fee for a "subscription", for something I have never needed one for previously.

I purchased my program as a stand alone, offline accounting program. After being forced to upgrade from a previous version, as MYOB in their wisdom ensured that it was no longer compatible with Windows 10. Now running 2020.3.1

I have been using MYOB since the introduction of GST 26 years ago.

I am a sole trader, no employees, no payroll. 

I use it to enter purchases, reconcile accounts and send invoices

I have never used it online

Here is the blurb from MYOB telling me how wonderful it will all be. NONE of this applies to me!

"I upgraded from V19/Classic to the latest offline version, what does this change mean for me? 

We have three options available for you to consider: 

• Move your file online. Take advantage of online capabilities that MYOB AccountRight has to offer. These include:
  • Automatic cloud backups protecting your data without manual effort
  • Live bank feeds that are more up to date
  • Multi-user access — multiple people can work in your file at the same time
  • Faster access to the latest software updates as soon as they are released
  • Improved performance and upcoming AI-powered features"

I neither want, nor need online services, nor do I want to be forced to pay for a subscription for something I do not want. Is this even legal? "Forced subscription" for features not required 

It is outright extortion, plain and simple.

When you purchase software and the software supplier decides years later to require a subscription to continue using the software you paid good money for they have broken Australia Consumer law, plain and simple.

It is straight out of the WEF play book, "you will own nothing and be happy"

To pull this stunt 2-weeks before the end of the financial year shows what utter contempt MYOB has for their customers. The existing businesses that survived covid and the current economic climate are now held at gunpoint to extract money out of them or crash their business.

Contact the ACCC and report MYOB for this blatant violation of Australian consumer law.

Hi Mike,

Well if that is the case you better get your sales staff onboard. When I contacted MYOB By phone, which is no mean feat, the sales representative told me my version of the software , 2019 PC AccountRightPlus would be effected and the file would be locked to read only on the 17th, even though the email sent said from ver 2026. 

I was given a heavy sales pitch that if I did not move online by the 17th and pay a subscription the file would be rendered unusable and could not be migrated after this date. Tell me how that is not extortion.

Your phone calls are recorded so you will be able to confirm this conversation happened.

I only rang up for clarification, and was given totally false information.

The way this has been handled has caused great confusion as can be seen from the comments in the forum.

Your sales staff, obviously on commission are forcing people onto subscriptions they do not need for existing purchased software.

Why send emails to customers that are not effected by this change, and if it is the case that previous purchased versions will not be effected by this change should have been clearly stated in the email.

As to your comment this only effects products you sell today, all are subscription based, so why does the email state "You will need to purchase a subscription to move your files online". This would only apply to customers who had a non subscription based version which you no longer sell.

Yes, you have mentioned there is the option to use the server version to continue using offline files.

A service that MAY cease in the future.

Would be much clearer to also mention that previous users that purchased software previously are NOT EFFECTED and do not have to do anything to keep using their files offline.

This would have saved a lot of confusion to existing users, but also would have stopped a lot of users shelling out money in perpetuity for something they really did not need.

Hi Mike_MYOB, to say that I'm disappointed with the phase out of offline file functionality would severely understate how I truly feel. The second option you tout reads like the Clayton's option - you know, the option you have when you don't really have an option. Enough with the BS about the supposed benefits and advantages of going online. For many MYOB users, internet connections are prone to interruptions that can last from minutes to days, which makes MYOB's offline functionality so worthwhile. However, while I can't make sense of MYOB's decision to proceed with the offline phase out, I am absolutely gobsmacked that it's being implemented in the middle of June before year end. In these times of despair, I am reminded of the immortal words of that great philosopher whose name eludes me right now, but he did play a bit of tennis -"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!!"

The way I feel ATM, I am greatly motivated to look for alternatives to MYOB, particularly after my unsuccessful attempts today trying to make contact with anyone in MYOB using the phone number 1300 793 427 provided in the email - I was unable to get beyond the AI bot, which makes me wonder how good MYOB's support is. As it stands, I've lost trust in MYOB's ability to service my needs, so I will search for alternatives beginning tomorrow. 

Hi yvonne6​ 

If you need more than one version of offline MYOB, then this old post from Gavin12345 shows how to turn off auto updates for PC versions - just substitute the version shown with with the current version you are on. Once you have created a Desktop shortcut for the offline files, you can still use the current Desktop shortcut to access and upgrade any online files:

Unfortunately MYOB are not going to change their policy just because users want them to. Now just as there are ways to stop Windows 10 automatic updates, there are also ways to stop MYOB automatic updates, or at least work around them.

I keep using AR2020.1 even though MYOB has updated itself to AR2021.4

Take a look where MYOB installs itself - in a folder called AccountRight in a path like this:

C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Programs\MYOB\AccountRight

Inside that folder is another folder called app-2021.300.244119 or similar - this contains the files that run MYOB - AR2021.3. 

Copy this folder app-2021.300.244119 and paste under C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Programs\MYOB\ and rename it to AccountRight 2021.3

Delete your desktop shortcut and create a new shortcut to HuxleyApplication.exe inside the new folder.

From this point your shortcut will run AR2021.3 even though MYOB Updates to AR2021.4 or .5 etc

When you are ready to upgrade, repeat the above and create a folder for AccountRight 2021.4 etc and change the shortcut to the next version.

If you only need one offline version, then Random_nuggets' suggestion as follows will work:

A simpler, more surgical method is as follows:

1. a) Open the folder in which MYOB is installed. Typically this will be in:

C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Programs\MYOB\AccountRight

1. b) Inside that folder you will find a program file named Update.exe. Simply rename this program file to, say, "Update-disabled.exe". Voila! No more updates!. When AccountRight is next started, it will fail to find its auto-update program, and then carry on running the software as is.

I have successfully tested this approach since the AR 2026.3 release (PC edition).

Cheers

Liz

This is a major step backwards. 

I have been seriously considering transferring our online connection to MYOB to local hosted. That idea is now shot down in flames.

One reason being is speed. MYOB's servers are on the long end of Australia's dismal internet connection which for us, is a tenth of a standard office 1gpbs Wired LAN. 

Another reason is common to any online server no matter who they are. Servers can be down, internet can be down, many a time we are sitting waiting 5-10 minutes for the verification code to log in or timing out while trying to create an customer's invoice. 

Very simple to set up a common NAS on a network, backing up to any one of our PC's and either cloud back up, portable super drive or both for data security. UPS's last us nearly 2 hours when the dreadful Perth power grid lets us down.
So an office LAN/NAS can work reliably and much quicker than internet/servers.

So taking our way to bypass Australia's dismal internet is a major step back wards.
 Wouldn't it be in MYOB's interest to reduce client load/space and therefore costs and wanting customers to host their working files locally instead of hosting cloud storage?

So does this mean that I can still use my accountright desktop file after 17 June?  I was advised by someone at myob that I could not?

I don't care about security enhancements etc I just want to use my clients desktop files and not go online.

Is there something I need to do to keep using it?

And why would myob make all these changes just before the end of the financial year - surely this could have happened after June 30.

Hi Liz, kindly come around to my place and do it for me 

🤣