Entered CNET Catalog: 09/01/2005
SKU: CNETQUICKBOOKSPRM06WIN
Manufacturer: Intuit Inc.
Manufacturer description
Organize and understand your finances and plan for growth. Includes features, tools and reports to manage your complete financial picture.User opinions
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User Rating: 
4/10
Stable, but very hard to customize to your business. Try other software first.
Pros: Stable and reliable for basic accounting
Cons: Features sound good on the box but lack real world functionality once you try to use them. Feels as though it was designed by people who have never run a business.
User Rating: 
6/10
Wish there were an alternative
Pros: Clean; easy to navigate
Cons: Awkward download; NO importing between files; not the most intuitive invoice management
User Rating: 
2/10
QuickBooks 2006 Payroll - Bad Support - Poor Product
Pros: Fancy Looking
Cons: Expensive (poor) support, database bugs, almost no product support from company
The outcome is this:
The support people will not escalate your problem, nor will they let you talk to a manager. They do not return phone calls or e-mails within the time frame that they tell you. Most times, they do not call you back at all. It takes them a minimum of 2 weeks before they will look at trying to repair your database (This was stated repeatedly by their support people ? Ragu). If you need to run a payroll program for your company, DO NOT select this product as there is no support for you if you have a database problem. This translates into you not being able to pay your employees within the normal payroll period that they expect from your company.
I only hope that this issue comes back to haunt them in the future when they are looking for new customers and receive no demand for their products from the public.
User Rating: 4/10
QuickBooks is too expensive
Pros: Excellent accounting package
Cons: Too expensive
User Rating: 2/10
Caution - Do not upgrade to this version!
Pros: Simple to use with small amounts of data
Cons: Sloooow if you have large amounts of data
The QuickBooks support solution is to "condense" your data, thereby losing all prior relevant details just so QB will run as fast as the 2003 version I recently upgraded from. The 2006 version will eat all of your computer resources even if you have only QB running and no other open applications.
So think long and hard before you upgrade from older workhorse versions, because there is no going back.
User Rating: 
10/10
This program is awesome!
Pros: Has lots of great features and tons of reports.
Cons: Can't think of any...
User Rating: 
9/10
Great tool for small business
Pros: The program is very easy to use.
Cons: Telephone support is sometimes frustrating.
I began useing QuickBooks myself in 1999 for my business. This version is one of the best advances I have seen. The new home page shows the various work-flows in an easy to understand format, making it easy to get to the form I need with one click. I really like the new "Centers" for customers, vendors and employees. Most of the information I need when looking for history with a customer or vendor is available when I click on the customer or vendor name. With one more click I can easily see the original transaction. I used to have to go through several screens to get to the information I needed.
The industry customization in the Premier Edition is a great addition and well worth the additional investment. I have a client using the Contractor Edition. The Contractor Center provides a quick glance at how the business is doing. The Job Cost reporting is an excellent tool to help better manage the business by comparing actual to estimated costs. They have been able to improve their estimates based on the information QuickBooks makes available to them. I also have clients using the Retail and Non-Profit Editions wha are seeing similar benefits for their businesses because they are getting the information that is important to them in a format that makes sense to them.
The key to having the information you need is to make sure you get it setup properly in the beginning. Spend some time reviewing the excellent on-line training and help before you setup your company files. If you don't like reading the instructions, another option would be to get the help of a local QuickBooks ProAdvisor for assistance.
I highly recommend it.
User Rating: 9/10
Feature rich, I can do anything with this version
Pros: I use accountants edition, and have all the other versions at the click of a button.
Cons: Needs more mid-market (mass 90, BusinessVision, ACCPAC) data importation/conversion tools.
I also like that I can change to accomodate clients on Simple Start or Pro, just as quick as I can accomodate an industry-specific version.
User Rating: 
5/10
Not all it's cracked up to be!
Pros: Most basics are the same
Cons: It still has bugs @ 3/1/06
Not all industry specific reports work correctly. Some features in QB2005 have been eliminated. Backup is larger and slower.
At this time, I would say if you are using QB2005 and are happy with, stick with it.
User Rating: 9/10
Slick interface, customer & vendor centers, SQL make this a Business Operations System
Pros: Handles inventory, assemblies, Sales Order with integrated Purchasing and Invoicing
Cons: File size exceeds 500 MB
The 2006 is a quantum change from earlier versions - no more navigators, SQL database has the always-on audit trail, and the home page interface is slick. Estimates convert to Sales Orders, and QuickBooks saddles up for the ride - enabling single-click purchase orders and customer invoices. I also like being able to generate invoices on multiple clients based on employee time sheets.
There is a marked improvement in the ability to handle inventory and assemblies. There is a lot humming under the hood, but like any luxury car, you needn't know. The home page and the customer/vendor/employee centers enable people to complete all their functions within a single space.
The tutorials are very helpful. I counted 43 (maybe I lost track - I started watching!). This enables new employees to come up to speed in only a couple of hours, without damaging company data.
The extensive developer network has produced, and continues to produce, industry-specific software that integrates with QuickBooks. This positions QuickBooks as a Business Operations Software, at a very effective price-point.
User Rating: 10/10
Extremely useful Financial Program
Pros: Puts small businees management at it's best
Cons: Might be a bit much for personal banking use
User Rating: 9/10
Extremely User friendly.
Pros: One step data entry generates all the necessary postings and reports.
Cons: In-house payroll functions are not readily accessible for setup.
User Rating: 10/10
Quickbooks has outdone it's self this time....
Pros: Great new layout with easy navigation...
Cons: Color scheme could be better...
Although I disliked the color scheme I still had to give it a ten rating because it was just that good. Don't just take my word, try it for yourself and see....
User Rating: 10/10
Improved GUI makes it less time consuming.
Pros: very sleek navigation everything is well organized.
Cons: through my use i have not found a con as of yet
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