If your computer hasn't been upgraded since you got ready for the "Y2K" scenario a long time ago, an upgrade may be right around the corner for you.

And just why is that? (go ahead, ask it!)

The entire QuickBooks 2006 product line will only work on Windows 2000 or Windows XP computers. This is a critical turning point for QuickBooks software, since the new version will not work on Windows 98, Window Millenium Edition (aka Windows Me), Windows NT, Windows 95 or heaven-forbid, Windows 3.1. Not to worry - for those of you with Apple computers, there is still a version dedicated to the Mac.

The truth of the matter is that this is an excellent decision by Intuit. Windows 98 and Windows Me are tired, old operating systems that have had their day in the sun. Windows XP is where you need to be today, and this decision will help you get there.

The next question that I am typically asked in regard to this issue is "should I upgrade my existing computer to Windows XP or buy a new one?" In general, unless you are VERY tech savvy and have a great deal of time and patience too, your better investment is to purchase a new computer with Windows XP already installed. I've heard horror stories of businesses getting into "upgrade hell" when they have tried to upgrade Windows 98 to Windows XP, rather than purchase a new computer.

Naturally, the purchase of a new computer makes the entire QuickBooks upgrade process more expensive. Realistically, you'll be glad you made the change, as Windows XP is the most reliable version of Windows yet, and QuickBooks 2006 is the biggest improvement in their software in over a decade.

Here are direct links to the "tech specs" for:

• QuickBooks Pro and Premier
• QuickBooks Enterprise Edition

If you haven't looked at computer prices lately, you may be quite surprised at how much you can get for a reasonable price. Take a look at the prices for Dell computers to see what I mean.

Join me for my QuickBooks Workshop at Lakeland Community College on Saturday, January 28, 2006. From 9am until 1pm, you'll benefit from seeing and learning about:

• QuickBooks 2006: What's New? Live demo of the great new features and benefits
• Timesaving Tips: Learn how to use reminders, to do lists, customer notes, memorized transactions, memorized reports and other tips to help you spend less time on your books
• Critical QuickBooks Reports: Understand how these reports can be used to help monitor the health of your business and provide insight on areas that need attention.
• Understanding Jobs and Job Costing: Get the help you've been looking for to better track your jobs and projects.

The cost for this workshop is just $79 - call Lakeland Community College at (440) 525-7116, and tell them to sign you up for CRN # 80687 today! Registration deadline is Thursday, January 26, 2006.

If you've been poking around the QuickBooks web site looking for the 2006 Basic version of the software, you've probably been looking for quite a while.

In addition to the major changes mentioned above with Windows 98, Intuit has decided to phase out the Basic version of QuickBooks and replace it with their Simple Start Edition.

Simple Start was designed for small businesses that want to keep things quite simple with their business bookkeeping. Focused on easy to understand terms like "money in" and "money out", Simple Start allows a business to create estimates and invoices, write checks and enter credit card payments and run some limited reports.

Simple Start does not perform any payroll transactions, the entry of bills and bill payments, customization of form templates (invoices, etc.) or customization of reports to any significant degree.

At just $79.95, Simple Start is a real value. According to Intuit, it has been adopted in over 100,000 small businesses since it was first released in 2005.

Question #1: What are the "Verify Data" and "Rebuild Data" options all about on the File/Utilities menu of QuickBooks?

A: Excellent question! Envision your QuickBooks company file as a series of drawers in a filing cabinet - a drawer for customers, one for vendors, etc. As you know with paper filing cabinets, papers get disorganized and file folders get out of order, forcing you to stop and fix them every once in a while.

In essence, that is what the "verify" and "rebuild" utilities are in QuickBooks - a way for you to ensure that your company file data is correct and stored properly on your hard drive. If a problem is discovered when you "verify data", then the "rebuild data" tool helps QuickBooks try and fix the problem that was found. I highly recommend running the "verify data" utility at least once a month to help keep your QuickBooks file in top form.

Question #2: Can I reconcile my credit cards in QuickBooks?

A: Yes, you can! We need to banish the belief that you can only use QuickBooks to reconcile your bank accounts. You CAN use it to reconcile your credit card accounts (and who doesn't have one of those these days?)

Click on Banking, then Reconcile. From the drop down list where your bank account normally appears, choose the credit card you'd like to reconcile instead. Once you have selected the card, the reconcilation process is exactly the same as if you doing it for your bank account.

If you've been considering the idea of either accepting credit cards or making a move to the QuickBooks merchant services, there is no better time than RIGHT NOW!

QuickBooks Merchant Services sent me a special offer that I'd like to pass along to you. It's simple and easy. Here's what you get as part of this offer:

• No set-up fee! (a $59.95 value)
• No application fee!
• No service fee for two months! (a $35.90 value) (per transaction fees still apply)
• No termination fee!

Here's all you have to do to take advantage of this offer:

1. Call QuickBooks Merchant Services at 888-335-4541
2. When they ask who referred you to them, mention Bond Technology, 2786 SOM Center Rd. #200, Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094, Phone (440) 527- 5696

HURRY! They tell me this offer is set to expire on January 31, 2006!

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Here is the secret:

Intuit Simplifies Estimating for Small Contractors; New QuickBooks Easy Estimate Produces Professional-Looking Documents to Help Contractors Win More Jobs

Available for sale this spring, QuickBooks Easy Estimate was designed for the approximately 1 million small contractors who still use manual, word processing or spreadsheet methods to create proposals for prospective customers. Best of all, it will completely integrate with QuickBooks software (naturally!).

Watch my newsletter in the coming months for more details and a discount on the price!

The "QuickBooks: News You Can Use" newsletter is written and distributed monthly by Scott Gregory. Scott is a Certified QuickBooks Advisor, CPA and Microsoft Certified Professional.

Scott is also the president of Bond Technology, a firm that specializes in helping small businesses use QuickBooks effectively and profitably. Feel free to drop Scott an e-mail if you'd like to learn more about the services his company can provide.

QuickBooks is a registered trademark of Intuit. Bond Technology is not affiliated with Intuit in any way.

Please forward this newsletter to those friends and associates that have an interest in QuickBooks software.

The Internet community is constantly evolving, so exercise diligence in your research as you would any other purchase. Bond Technology, Ltd. is not responsible for any third party links or the misuse of those links. They are presented solely for informational purposes.

This newsletter is issued free of charge. Please take a look at the products and services offered in the newsletter to help defray the costs of publication. This publication Copyright 2001-2006 Bond Technology, Ltd. All rights reserved.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.

E-mail: newsletter@bondtechltd.com

Phone: 440-527-5696

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