Item: QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
Rating: 8
Author: Vin Campbell

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I have a few clients that are using QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise as their primary ERP/accounting package. My primary client is a large bakery and they completely run their backend operations with this software. From an accounting perspective, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is the gold standard. Aside from how long it's been around, the platform is stable and handles all accounting features well.

Pros and Cons

Chart of accounts--very strong here as you have full control
Accountant connect--giving the proper levels of access to an outside accountant is awesome
Bill payment--you can connect to outside services like Bill.com and pay bills automatically via ACH
Connection to bank accounts to easily link bills and credits to the account ledger

Not great as an ERP--though they seem to be headed that way
No weights of items--no LxWxH dimensions
Online version hosted only at Right Networks--should be fully online
No direct integrations with LTL shipping

Return on Investment

The price is positive--least expensive ERP system out there
Negative ROI if you require the missing features. You need third-party add-ons and they are not free
Accountant integration keeps those costs lower--most accountants use QuickBooks

Scaling with Desktop Enterprise

With each iteration of the software, QuickBooks has continually added features that have benefited the company. Whereas we once needed to use FishBowl inventory to manage the warehousing needs, we were able to eliminate that in lieu of a major inventory management system update a few years back. The same thing happened with manufacturing and also with BOLs/BOMs. They've consistently built this product toward a fuller ERP system that's built on top of a superior accounting backend.

Implementation

I have personally used QuickBooks in some form for over 20 years. That said, the learning curve for me was flat and I have easily adapted to each new version with ease. As for training new users--once they grasp the day-to-day operations of the company, the software makes it very easy to perform the tasks at hand right from the opening dashboard. I generally have a new user working alone in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise within hours!

Innovative Uses

I'd have to say the manufacturing was a nice added bonus that wasn't completely unexpected--but the overall functionality was. We went from using a third-party add-on to the built-in manufacturing module and found that it was indeed robust and fit the needs of our department very well. We were then able to streamline the operation and it also made IT very happy with the removal of the third-party integration.

Alternatives Considered

Wave Accounting and QuickBooks Online Advanced

Wave Accounting is a wonderful free tool that is perfect for anyone that needs a basic accounting system with real live bookkeepers available on demand. It does not do the inventory or manufacturing at all. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise has the inventory--but it is nowhere near as advanced as the offline enterprise version--and it too lacks the manufacturing module unless you use a third-party add-on. Ultimately, opting for the offline enterprise version made the most sense to us.

Other Software Used

Wave Accounting, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Trello

Likelihood to Recommend

For a company that needs a robust accounting system with basic ERP functionality, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is a great choice. Aside from the small caveats I listed earlier, the program does the job for the most part and you can run a warehouse or manufacturing facility quite effectively. Also, the cost here is much less than a more direct ERP solution like Sage 100/X3 or NetSuite/SAP. If you are looking for a system that handles LTL shipments--as most sizable distributors require--this may not be a good fit because some basic functionality is just not there yet, like item weight or dimension. You can't build pallets in the system without this information.

Surprisingly well done and affordable ERP!

Overall Satisfaction with QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise