I recently upgraded to quickbooks 2018 and purchased the multi license version of the program to utilize the multi user mode in the software, but here is my problem: I do not have a stand alone network in my office. Our office is located off of the beaten path and we have to use a Verizon Mifi to get internet access. Is Quickbooks 2018 in multi user mode able to be accessed from another computer using a wireless internet device?
Multi-user mode is a feature which allows multiple users to access and perform tasks within the same Quickbooks account. If you own or manage a large business, you may find the need for multiple users to access Quickbooks. Single user mode: Wait your turn. Because only one user can work in the file at one time. Also, there’s only one copy of QuickBooks running on one computer. So when Charles’s mother shows up to do his invoicing, he needs to log out of his company file, let his mother sit down at his computer with QuickBooks, and let her log in to work on his file.
If so, how do I configure the software to allow this. If anyone needs additional clarification please let me know. Short answer as others have said is yes, you can make it work. But I'd suggest not doing it through your MiFi settings. You might find a network person in your area to set you up with a simple network that also utilizes your MiFi ONLY for the Internet. Basically it would look like either of the following options: Option 1: MiFi Router Computers This configuration would require your MiFi to be compatible with the Router.
So you (or your network guy) would need to find out what is compatible. But it removes one more piece of equipment if your MiFi is compatible.
Option 2: MiFi WiFi/Ethernet Bridge Router Computers This configuration does not require your MiFi to be compatible with a router, so you can pick a router that best suits your office needs. The WiFi/Ethernet Bridge (e.g. TRENDnet N900 or any of the other out there) simply connects via WiFi in the MiFi and then you run a cable to your Router's WAN or Internet port. This also means you can put the MiFi wherever it gets the best signal and then just run a cable to wherever it makes sense to put the router.
Other great advantage is that you can change out the MiFi at any time as long as you either change the MiFi SSID or add the new MiFi SSID to the Adapter. If you have multiple MiFis you can also swap them out as needed in case employees need to take one with them if they leave the office (or have a second one as a backup). In both configurations you connect all of your computers, printers, server, etc. To the new router (and therefore to your new dedicated network). One very important note.
If you choose to use WiFi on your new office network, on the computers, printers, etc., you need to make sure you use a different SSID (WiFi Network Name) from you MiFi(s) AND you need to make sure you remove the MiFi network from all or most of your devices. I could see leaving the MiFi in your phone or in your notebook if you travel with the MiFi. You just need to make sure the notebook is connected to the OFFICE WiFi, not MiFi, to work with QBs, print, etc. While you're in the office. Other great advantage of this system is you can also set up a daily backup to a server (or shared drives on the other computers) not just for QBs, but for all your computers. (Did you get that networking is kind of my thing.). You can actually use a MiFi to create a local network (most MiFis).
So you.could. run QBs in Multi-User mode. But I agree that it would really not be a recommended way to go. I have multiple times walked into a situation where someone's needed a temporary network NOW.
So I've set up the above network with a little Cisco router and my MiFi in a few minutes. And although I'm a VERY strong believer in hard wiring devices whenever possible. With the current (and soon to be common) WiFi equipment available, it's hard to tell a client they can't use WiFi if they're set on it.
By Sometimes, you need only a single computer and a single copy of QuickBooks, even though you have several employees using QuickBooks. If a small business has only an administrative assistant and the owner accessing a QuickBooks data file, for example, one copy of QuickBooks running on a single personal computer may be all that’s required. QuickBooks does allow for simultaneous use of the QuickBooks data file by multiple users, however. Predictably, you first need to set up multiple users. After you’ve set up multiple users, you can install the QuickBooks program on other personal computers and then — assuming that all these personal computers connect to a Windows network — use those other copies of QuickBooks to access the QuickBooks data file stored on the first or principal computer. To use QuickBooks in an environment of simultaneous use by multiple users, you also need to tell QuickBooks that simultaneous use is okay.
To do this, choose the File → Switch to Multi-User Mode command. (If you want to turn off Multi-User Mode later, choose File → Switch to Single User Mode again.) QuickBooks supports simultaneous use by multiple users through a technology called record locking, which locks all the records that you’re working with, but not the entire QuickBooks data file. If you want to work with Company A, and some other user wants to work with Company B, that’s okay. QuickBooks allows it.
What you and the other user can’t do, however, is work on the same company (A or B) at the same time. This would mean that you’re working with the same customer record. You can’t install the same copy of QuickBooks on multiple machines and legally have a multiple-user QuickBooks system. You must purchase a copy of QuickBooks for each machine on which QuickBooks is installed. Note, however, that Intuit does sell some multiple-user versions of QuickBooks in which you actually buy five licenses in one box of QuickBooks. (The Enterprise version of QuickBooks supports multiple-user networks with up to 30 simultaneous users, and the other versions of QuickBooks support multiple-user networks with up to 5 simultaneous users.) You may want to have several QuickBooks users if sales representatives in your firm prepare invoices or prepare bids for customers.
In this case, you may want to have each salesperson set up on QuickBooks. Note, however, that these salespeople should have the ability only to create an invoice or perhaps create and print an invoice estimate.
Remember, you want to be very careful about giving inexperienced accounting users full access to the accounting system.