If Intuit, the leading small business accounting software vendor with an
86% market share, now bundles their version 2006 software with a new database engine from Sybase, why is there so little information about this major change?If you go to the Sybase web site why is the no mention of this fact? What is going on? Why the big secret? Personally I find this cause for concern.
about this
concern.
AND, why is it not disclosed that this new database engine is used only in some versions (US?) but not in others (Canada, and......?)
about this
concern.
Maybe that is why.
I don't think that is the reason. Perhaps Intuit wants to buy Sybase and does not want the stock price to go up.
"Allan Martin" wrote
My guess is that they can sell a lot more upgrades by letting the wave of problems associated with the change crest AFTER the sale. I am quite sure the new database setups will confuse the heck out of most users. Add that to some permanently broken 3rd party utilities. There will be a lot of pissed-off users but we all know that it's pretty damn hard to revert back a version even after a few weeks of use.
The quote from deep in the Developer Network site is: "... new SQL database (built on the Sybase SQL Anywhere platform...". So it doesn't seem like they're using the off-the-shelf engine. That would open up the data and we know Intuit does not like that.
Well I'm not confused anymore. I just got back from an Intuit sponsored seminar and know why its a secret.
First off Intuit has been working on this database change for over three years. It is a monumental step in the history of the product. If the product was to go forward into the future it would have been impossible using the old database technology. With version 2006 the audit trail is now on 100% of the time with no degradation in speed. Database size can grow to over a gig and still keep on working just fine. This of course is just the tip of the iceberg as far as benefits go.
It appears that even though the database change is the major enhancement to the product for 2006, focus study groups revealed that the average user would be reluctant to upgrade knowing that the database was about to undergo such a drastic change. Therefore Intuit decided to keep a low profile and simply not mention it. I'm not certain I agree with this decision but I can certainly understand it from a marketing point of view.
focus groups, geez.
I agree. In the long run the move to the new database is good. I do think Intuit should be more forthcoming about some specific areas of their QB Product. Into the 5th revision of the SDK now and still keeping a lock on payroll transactions, with no indication when -- if ever -- they will open it up. The only reason to do this is to hamper competition with their somewhat overpriced payroll products. But hey, it's their product and they don't necessarily hide the fact that payroll is their cash cow.
It will be interesting to see how the new UI changes go over. At first look, it seems better, though it will take some getting used to. Having a list of Invoices along side the customer list is pretty nice.
There was a time before version 2002 where there was no SDK.
The only reason to do this
Perhaps you should ask ADP or Paychecks if they think Intuit's payroll products are overpriced. I think you will get a different reaction.
But hey, it's their product and they don't necessarily
Looking good indeed.
You say that the database can grow to over a gig in QB2006. I start a new company every 2 years because my file is so big. For instance, right now my file (Jan 1, 2004 to today) is over 232 megs. If I upgrade to 2006, I won't have to start a new company at the beginning of next year? Elaine
New database, new rules. You probably will not need to start a new company each year.
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