MYOB Backups

dieseldigit​ 

I thinking you are mixing requirements for backup between the supplier and user here - as it stands - a backup by MYOB, now, is for a subscriber - and if that subscriber has just opened a new MYOB file today the data won't go back 5 -7 years - but if that subscriber has had the MYOB file open and running for 10 years then auto-back up by MYOB will capture all that data.

What is on that file is not MYOB's responsibility except that they need to enable someone to get at that data should they need to in 20 years - and there lies the problem.... in that you have identified a problem and MYOB has acknowledged this limitation to the rollout of the new 2026.6.

If I as a subscriber chose to close my account with MYOB - what happens now - it contains 10 years of data - and I have older files on my laptop and in deep storage that can be opened with AR SE run locally and the datafile staying variant 2026.5 or earlier - data can be retrieved.

However let us say - I subscribe for another 10 years and we are now in 2028.5 - and I stop subscribing - and suddenly - ATO asks questions on data 7 years ago on an employee - how do we access.

If you stopped subscribing but didn't ask MYBO through support for a copy of your file - then after 6 months - MYOB says they don't retain backups - so MYOB don't have a duty to retain backups for you when you no longer subscribe, no more than any other data keeper - we provide cloud for medical practices - but once a medical practice has gone and have not been a subscriber then it isn't our responsibility to keep their data - we do for a 1 year but then we purge and chew up the data drive and destroy it - required for secure destruction - that medical practice cannot in 5 years come to us and say - I need a backup....

I suggest the same applies to a subscriber to MYOB - the responsibility lies with the subscriber...... the problem with MYOB is we no longer can make backup copies to our laptop, server etc and open these offline whenever we wish in 1 year, 10 year, 20 years and MYOB are very much aware of this problem.

Microsoft are very much part of this and have a finger in every pie...... it is their Compact Edition of MS SQL database format that has been deprecated and which is the format MYOB has used for 15  years plus to base their offline data format. 

So Microsoft pulled support and the software database reaches end of life - MYOB are not in control of that component - but the way the handle this software deprecation is very much their pie.

I am not the devil here, just telling the story, perhaps I am being the Devil's advocate a little but screaming at the messenger doesn't change the outcome ....... ring Microsoft and ask them to continue to support the CE MS SQL database - and if they say - yes - problem solved we can return to as before - however, likely Microsoft won't answer and we have to wait whilst MYOB quickly finds an alternative database format to hang their offline hat on eg. MS SQL - been around since 1994 and still going.

The Doc

Hi Doc 

Thank you for your continued intelligent information/comments. 

Can you advise whether we can still get the PC AR version .exe file for the 2026.5 version to download and if so, where do I find it please.  At least then I can access all the backups I have on my hard drive. 

Do you have any ideas on how best to work the current MYOB backup so if the worse comes to the worse we can still ask for it to be restored? 

Thanks for your help. 

Pam 

Hi pam4​ 

I suspect it isn't available any more - I found this out by chance - when MYOB rolled out the PC Ed 2026.5 update it still had the ability to view and download to the local drive and restore as such - then suddenly that version overnight could do that anymore - but by pure luck I had got a copy of the 2026.5 PC edn that could do that.

Download the AR SE 2026.5 version and it will enable you to open 2026.5 files and backward.

The backup to the current working file has few options - backup yourself daily or let the auto MYOB back up weekly. But that is it - there is no hack or whatever to enable you to download these - you can back up restore only from the repository associated with that file...... you can ask through an email to support for a copy but it costs.

However, that backup is useless except to store - you can't open it, you cannot directly restore it to online - you can of course upload it to MYOB support and they could restore it to a subscribed account for yourself.

At present there are no really good answers to your questions to ensure you have all bases covered.

Even if I did some seriously night time work and hacked the database to enable opening future files - which I think is a real option - I can open the database and alter parameters but haven't done much Shelocking.

Also, I am not sure of the format a backup file from MYOB support comes in - likely they are using Azure but I am not sure..... it could be proprietary.

The Doc

Thanks Doc.  Have managed to find that and download.  

I understand the programming problem, just wish it hadn't happened.  I'll keep my fingers crossed MYOB come up with a solution, with the help of people like yourself, I'm sure it will come. 

Thanks 

Pam 

Not that I am aware of, but maybe that is what needs to happen to get MYOB to provide a workable solution.  In some ways I understand the issues that Doc has informed us about.  However, rigging their software, so that when an old version is installed (so we can at least access our "old" data that we painstakingly backed up and which we have habitually relied on), you get the issues I faced yesterday - it just seems unnecessary and mean??

The issue of what to do about our data going forward is a totally different kettle of fish.  I will have to think carefully about what information I have been asked for previously.  I have also just instituted a new set of procedures to export PDF reports at least at end of payroll year, and to go back and store old employees info as well (yes I do have paper personnel files, but I don't keep payslips - I keep payruns.  But that is useless when you need data on just one employee).  I don't have the storage space I'd need if I actually printed hard copies.  It also highlights that I may need to keep my old PC that has been sitting under my desk for a year, and check out its current MYOB status - off-network.  

As far as I know we bookkeepers are legally obliged to keep 5 years of all info . How can we do that if MYOB doesn't keep the cloud backup for that long??  

Is this MYOB way of storing short time backup even legal???

We NEED to be able to have a copy on our PC!

Very disappointed with all this!

PLEASE roll back!

Garfield 13

Hi pmb25, 

I understand how this change affects how you use your file. Local backups are no longer available on newer versions of the software.

You can still create manual online backups, but you can’t download them as a ZIP file or save them to a USB. Automatic online backups are also available.

If you have an older offline backup, AccountRight Server Edition may let you access it locally.

For more information:

• AccountRight offline mode changes
• Create an online backup

Regards,

Genreve

Unfortunately, i still need to work on the file offline, not just to 'read'.  I hope they fix this soon.  The working offline is why this program was selected in the first place.  Couple of my biggest issues is that i constantly do import exports for pricing, inventory upgrades etc.  As everyone knows 99.9% of the time it does not go to plan and needs to be tested.  Now i need to have everyone out of the system so i can do the ex/imports testing out of hours so it does not effect the live file.  not to mention needing backups for reporting purposes - especially when the client changes information!!!

How do we get out data file to our accountant? The are not MYOB Accountants Office practice..