Many years back, we were asked to create an interface between Auto Shop Writer and Quickbooks. Most people were very satisfied with the fully integrated accounting already provided within ASW, but their accountants wanted them to put data in QB ( because then they eliminated their own work for entering data to maintain their books. To oblige, we did the work and built the interface.
While many shop management systems use Quickbooks, they require the company to run an export utility from their software, and then it must be imported into QB. We used the software guidelines from Intuit ( the makers of Quickbooks ) and actually write directly to their files. This occurs whenever a workorder is closed.
Recently we decided to update that interface to be sure it works with the desktop version of QB 2021 ( and before ). Stage 1 was to update the current software which outputs workorder and client information. That is completed and is in the 3/9/21 update. If you have the interface already functional, it should be working transparently.
Stage 2 will be to incorporate the Inventory financial data into Quickbooks. Thus when you use stock input, and process the charge in ASW, it will add that to QB ( and the vendor data if it does not exist ). QB does not have a true inventory program. It has minimal data on “items”. However, for accounting purposes, Vendors can be tracked. There are other areas in ASW that also post to Accounts Payables, and these will be integrated also.
Stage 3 will evaluate payroll data posting, and transfer appropriate information to Quickbooks. This is an additional service from Intuit that shops may, or may not, use.
Our final Stage will be to provide complete training. We will be doing this with an upgrade to documentation ( the manual ), and a video tutorial on setup steps.
TO BE CLEAR, Quickbooks works IN ADDITION TO our built in accounting. So if you are using ASW accounting, nothing changes for you. It is NOT an either / or situation. QB posting is in addition to our existing, fully integrated, accounting.
ZOOM CLASSES ANYONE ?
We constantly receive questions asking if features exist in Auto Shop Writer, and usually they have been part of the program for many years. We have information in the manuals, and the bulletins, and even a group of videos. Unfortunately, most people don’t go through those resources.
So …. we’ve thought about offering Zoom sessions to go over the program. They are interactive which means you can ask questions and we can do deep dives into topics.
The main problem with Zoom is that if we simply post links, then we get unwanted visitors who want to share a lot of trash talk, or their favorite obscene pose. So we will send out email invites 24 hours before each session with a link to allow interested people to join.
If you are interested in these sessions, please send an email to timstone@masterlinksoftware.com and answer the following questions:
1). Provide your BEST email address for the mailing list. ONLY Zoom sessions will be sent to you.
2). What is the best time for you to attend these sessions ( and be sure to include your time zone )
3). What topics would you like covered.
4). How much time would you like to see devoted to each session ?
We’ll use that email address to send you a list of courses, based on the input we receive, and then send you links to access them>
These sessions can be repeated, and the cost if full covered under the DPP subscriptions.