MYOB- when it just worked!
I have been using MYOB since the single-digit version days, and I am extremely disappointed with the recent approach to offline files. The timing could hardly be worse—right at the end of the financial year, when businesses and accountants already have more than enough on their plates.
After years of loyalty to the platform, it is frustrating to see such significant changes being imposed during one of the busiest and most stressful periods of the year. Changes of this magnitude require planning, testing, and adjustment time, none of which are easy to accommodate during EOFY. Instead of reducing pressure, these changes have added unnecessary stress and uncertainty at a time when users need stability and reliability.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the online experience simply does not match the reliability and responsiveness that many of us had with offline files. The application frequently times out, suffers from noticeable lag, and can be very slow to respond, despite having a fast and stable NBN internet connection. When accounting software is something we rely on all day, every day, these delays have a real impact on productivity, efficiency, and stress levels.
Another major concern is the removal of the option to maintain local backups of our company files. For many businesses and accounting professionals, local backups are a fundamental safeguard that provides an additional layer of control and security over critical financial data. Taking away that option means customers are forced to rely entirely on MYOB's systems and policies, regardless of their own business continuity, compliance, or risk management requirements.
I am also concerned about the increasing focus on AI-driven features. The issue is not the technology itself, but the way it is being integrated into the software. These features add clutter to an already busy interface, making it harder to focus on the tasks that matter. In many cases, the suggestions provided are inaccurate, irrelevant, or simply not helpful. In accounting software, where accuracy is critical, incorrect suggestions can create confusion, increase the risk of mistakes, and create additional work as users double-check information. Rather than reducing workload, these features often add frustration and stress to already demanding tasks.
Customers should have the ability to completely disable AI features if they choose. Those who find value in them can use them, while those who prioritise speed, accuracy, and a streamlined workflow should not be forced to work around features they neither need nor want.
What is particularly disappointing is the feeling that long-term customers are being asked to adapt to decisions that seem driven more by product strategy than by customer needs. Reliability, stability, performance, and control over our accounting data are the reasons many of us chose MYOB in the first place.
I would urge MYOB to reconsider both the timing and implementation of these changes, improve the performance and reliability of the online platform, restore the option for local backups, and provide customers with greater flexibility and choice regarding AI functionality and file management.
As a customer who has supported MYOB for decades, I believe these concerns deserve serious consideration. Long-term loyalty should be valued, and major changes that affect how customers access, protect, and manage their data should be made with greater consultation, transparency, and respect for the businesses that depend on the software every day.
