It’s that time again. A new year and time for Matt Paff’s predictions for the year ahead in BizTech/ Cloud Accounting. BUT, as always, before I do, its only fair that I take the time to review how I fared last year (here’s last year’s predictions).
In August I posted this article (I’ve just updated the graphics slightly) signaling my intention to publish a series of blogs on the Accountant’s Software market. Across the preceding 12 months, I had undertaken two separate paid research projects on the state of this market and wanted to publish some of the key findings for the interest/benefit of others.
Perspective. It is something I appreciate more as I mature. It is something that hit me hard when I sat down to consider my “review that no-one else would write” for Xerocon Brisbane 2019.
Given my professional interest in accounting technology and out of a desire to stay up-to-date, I have been using the 3 most popular browser-based accounting / bookkeeping software systems (Xero, QuckBooks and MYOB Essentials) across 3 different businesses I’m involved with.
Recently I became so frustrated with using MYOB Essentials in my vSure business that I had to end the experiment. Here’s the 7 reasons why I dumped MYOB Essentials:
I’ve spent some time recently analysing the software landscape for Accountant’s in Australia. Its been interesting, eye-opening and mind-boggling all at the same time.
In February I made the bold step into the events business. After a couple of years peculating on the idea, I bit the bullet and launched the Apps4 event business, setting up our first event in Sydney in May, Apps4 Wholesalers.
Like never before, larger and growing Small to Medium sized organisations face a common challenge to decide between SME accounting software or invest in a unified, comprehensive ERP system.
Which way do they go?
User-friendly, relatively cheap small business Cloud Accounting software like Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks plus operational specific third party apps;
OR
A comprehensive, relatively expensive and seemingly less user-friendly Enterprise Cloud Platform like NetSuite, MYOB Advanced (aka Acumatica), Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Over the last few years I’ve tried my hand at predicting the year in cloud accounting and related biztech ahead, publicly critiquing my efforts at the start of the following year. Call me silly, call me brave, call me whatever you like. I do it because I feel too few are willing to back up their guessing with reflection. So rather than complain about it, I do what I think others should.