Is it safe to say you've had some challenges getting QuickBooks 2006 installed on a network? Based on e-mails and phone calls I've received, this seems to be a pretty good hunch.

Just for the record, the underlying database structure in QuickBooks 2006 is completely new and is now much more closely tied to industry standards than the old version. Unfortunately, this change in technology has caused some heartburn when putting QuickBooks 2006 into a networked environment.

Due to this new database structure, the way your networked QuickBooks company file is accessed has changed. Rather than try to explain the intricacies of what you need to know, I want to direct you to two articles at the QuickBooks support site that provide terrific insight into these issues:

• Installing QuickBooks in a networked environment
• When trying to open QuickBooks the program "flashes" and then closes

The above links should help you work through any installation issues you encounter. In addition, it's CRITICAL to ensure that you have downloaded all the updates to QuickBooks 2006 by clicking on Help, the Update QuickBooks. To date, there have been four (4) significant product updates that right a lot of the wrongs that were happening in the product when it first shipped. For more details on the updates, make sure to visit the QuickBooks support site.

The guidelines that QuickBooks have provided will work very well if you follow them carefully - I've successfully gone through them at a number of client sites. If you need help in getting things set up, we can arrange for a consultation. Please e-mail me to arrange a time to talk in more detail about the specifics of your situation.

Join me on Tuesday, March 14 for my next QuickBooks users group meeting! Save 35% if you register before February 28th!

Lots of very interesting things on our agenda for this meeting, including:

• QuickBooks 2006 - What's new and what you might have missed
• Accepting Credit Cards - Understanding QuickBooks Merchant Services
• QuickBooks Online Backup - Why it's essential to your business
• Tech tips and more!
• Click here for more details

When: Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Time: Continental Breakfast: 7:45am, Workshop: 8:00 - 10 am
Where: Courtyard by Marriott - Willoughby, Ohio. Need a map?
Cost: $29 if registered prior to February 28, 2006. $45 if after.
Registration: Call Lynda at (440) 255-4654

This month, I'm kicking off a new series of articles that focus on various reports in QuickBooks and why they are important to your business. At last count, QuickBooks has well over 150 reports available, providing plenty of opportunity to get up- to-date information about your finances with just a few clicks.

We'll start with the most important report of them all - the Profit and Loss Standard report found in the "Company and Financial" section of your Report Center. You'll also hear this report called the "P+L" or "Income Statement". No matter what name it's given, it contains a tremendous amount of information about the operations of your business.

Go ahead and run a Profit and Loss Standard report now - click on Reports, then Company and Financial, then Profit and Loss Standard. The report will show the current month-to-date results by default. You can easily change the date range by opening the drop down list next to the "Dates" field in the upper left hand corner or manually changing the dates using the "From" and "To" boxes at the top of the report.

The Profit and Loss Standard report provides a recap of the income your business has generated and the expenses it has incurred. At the very bottom of the report, you'll see a "net income" figure. If this figure is positive, it means your income exceeds your expenses (good news indeed). It also means you are operating "in the black". On the other hand, if your net income figure is negative, it is telling you that your expenses have exceeded your income (not so good news) and your business is operating "in the red".

The Profit and Loss Standard report helps you assess a number of critical issues, including:

• Are my sales on target?
• Are my expenses in line with expectations?
• What are the biggest expenses I've incurred?
• Is my business profitable?

To make this report even more meaningful, click on the "Modify Report" button in the upper left hand corner and click on the box that says "Previous Period" in the "Add Subcolumns for" section. With just one click of the mouse, you have now enabled this report to show you how the current income and expenses compare to those of the prior period. It doesn't matter if you're comparing months, quarters or years, QuickBooks gives you the ability to easily compare your results. You can then return to the "Modify Report" button and then put additional check marks in the "$ Change" and "% Change" boxes under "Previous Period". Now you'll now exactly how much difference there is between periods - in both dollars and percentages!

Question #1: How come my checks aren't printing out as they used to?

A: In some cases, the default print settings for your QuickBooks checks need to be reset. When you go to print your checks the next time, when the printer window pops up (the one that tells you which printer you are going to print to), look at the "Check Style" area at the bottom of the window. You'll see 3 choices - Standard, Voucher and Wallet. Choose the style that fits your check stock, and then send the printer on its' way!

Question #2: Where is the Open Window list in the 2006 version?

A: The 2006 version of QuickBooks turns off the Open Window list when installed. Turning it back on is a snap - click on View, then click "Open Window List" and your list will return. Note that the Navigators you used to see as part of this window are all now consolidated into the "Home" screen of the new versions, simplifying QuickBooks even more!

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! This offer expires soon!

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If you need more functionality in creating estimates and quotes for your customers, pay close attention to this:

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!).

Keep your eyes on my newsletter for more details and pricing on this exciting new product!

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

Web: http://www.BondTechLtd.com