Convert from QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise

Did you know that you can convert your QuickBooks Pro to the upgraded level of QuickBooks Enterprise?

Yes, You Heard it Right.

Here in this article, you get to know about what the benefits, and steps are and how to do the conversion from QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise. You have to follow the steps for a successful conversion. Let’s go through the article to convert data to QuickBooks. The conversion is an easy process if you do it in the right way with full information.

Benefits of QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise Data Conversion

Many various benefits are there that you must know about. The QuickBooks Enterprise edition has many benefits and features that help you to manage your business financial accounting easily. The list of benefits is as follows:

• The inventory management is great
• Track all your financial transactions
• You can buy more licenses with the growth of your business
• Using a VPN supports remote access
• The capability of the user is increased
• You can process large files
• Easier backups
• Increased range of permissions
• The Reports and Finances are easily manageable
• Payroll and Employee Management are modernized
• Many other management tools like reclassify, entry, batch delete, and period copy reporting capabilities.

Steps to Convert from QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise

It is the whole process from preparing, downloading, backup, conversion, and registration is done to fully convert the data from the pro to enterprise. Don’t forget to check the system requirements for QuickBooks Enterprise. Follow this process to convert your data from QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise.

Step 1: Prepare and Test the Network

1. Network options

There are 3 options as you have servers and workstations with different install options. So, choose the one that fits best for your software. The 3 network options are:-

• Peer-to-peer network
• Central server
• Remote Desktop Services

2. Test the Network Bandwidth

• Select a data file that is large to test it
• Note down the size of the test file in the MB (megabytes)
• From the network location copy the text file to your computer then note down the time (in seconds)that it takes to copy
• To figure out the bandwidth, calculate it
  • File size x 8 / copy time
  • Example – 150 MB x 8 / 25 seconds = 48 MB per seconds (Mbps)

If the bandwidth is below the 40 Mbps that means the connection is slow for the enterprise. If it is equal or higher than this that means the connection is fast for Enterprise.

3. Check the Antivirus and Firewall settings

On your computer, check whether there is any firewall or antivirus installed or not. If installed then while installing QuickBooks you use it then you have to allow the QuickBooks software in these applications. It is done especially while using the multi-user mode.

Step 2: Download and Install the QuickBooks Enterprise on the Server

There are a few steps that you have to follow to download and install the QuickBooks Enterprise on the Server. The steps are as follows:

• First of all, download the latest version of QuickBooks Enterprise on your computer.
• Then start the installation process on multiple workstations.
• Close all the programs running on your computer or in the background.
• Also, close the antivirus program.
• Go to the downloaded installation file of QuickBooks Enterprise.
• Open the file by double-clicking on it.
• Now, select the type of installation and the types are
  • If you choose the Express installation then the installer makes the best choice for you to install the QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise in the default location.
  • f you choose the Custom and Network then you have to customize the installation and also the location.
• Again, select one option from the 3 mentioned options for how to install the QuickBooks. The option can be changed as it depends on where you install the software such as server, workstation, or terminal. The 3 options are:-
  • I will be using QuickBooks on this computer and storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network.
    This is a server that you can also use as a workstation. This is the fastest user station in a peer-to-peer network. Choose this option when
    • When you install the QuickBooks Enterprise on the terminal server with software and company data stored on a remote computer.
    • When you do install the QuickBooks Enterprise on the server that serves you as a workstation.
  • I will be using QuickBooks on this computer, but I will be storing our company files on it so files can be shared over our network.
    This computer is the Server so, you have to select this option to install the QuickBooks Database Server Manager only. For this, you won’t require any additional user license.
  • I will be using QuickBooks on this computer, but the company file will be located on a different computer.
• Now, follow the instructions to continue the installation process
• When the installation completes, run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager to set up the database server.

Step 3: Configure the Database Server Manager

1. Set the configuration of the QuickBooks Database Server Manager

When you install the QuickBooks Enterprise software on the server after that you have to set up the QuickBooks Desktop Server Manager. With this, the users can access their company files on the server. You are required to configure it on the computer or the server where you store your company data file. You can also check the users added to the company file and the status of the data file.

To open the Database Server Manager, follow the steps below:-

• Go to the Start menu button and click on it
• Click on the QuickBooks software folder
• Then click on the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

2. Scan all Your Company Files that You have to Convert

You have to scan all your QuickBooks company files that are on the server; and provide access to the other users of the QuickBooks software.

• In QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
• Click on the option Scan Folders.
• Now, you have to click on the Add Folder to add your company files to the folder.
• Then choose the folder with the company files.
• After this, it is visible in the section of Folders that Contain Company Files
• If you are not able to find your stored company files then use the Scan option to search for it in the hard drive.

3. Supervise the Hard Drives

If you add, rename, or remove the company files on the server then it is monitored by the Database Server Manager. This way other computers are allowed to access it. For supervising the hard drive the steps are as follows:-

• Click on the tab named Monitored Drives.
• For the drives you want to monitor, select all of them.
• Then monitor it.

Step 4: Set up the Sharing Settings

1. First, Give Access to the Company Files

To provide access to files, verify that all the users have read-write access. So that you can easily share folders with the QuickBooks company file. The users also have the right to create or delete the directory where you are storing the file.

2. Install QuickBooks Enterprise on all the Workstations

• Close the antivirus programs and all other programs.
• Click on the install file of Enterprise.
• To reach Choose Installation Type, follow all the instructions displayed on your screen.
• When you reach to select the type of installation
  • Then choose the Express install where the installer makes all the best choices to install the software.
  • Choose the Custom and Network option to customize the installation and location.
• Now, choose any one of the options for how to install the QuickBooks. It depends on where you want to do the installation such as terminal, workstation, or Server. You can change the option that you choose.
  • I will be using QuickBooks on this system, but the company file will be located on a different computer.
    • I will be using QuickBooks on this computer and storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network. It can be a server that can be used as a workstation.
    • I will not be using QuickBooks on this computer, but I will be storing our company file on it so the file can be shared over our network.
• Follow the instructions on your screen until you complete the installation.
• Then restart your computer.

3. Set up the Hosting of Multi-user

You don’t have to enable multi-user hosting if you have installed the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the file server. You have to make sure that the multi-user hosting is disabled on all workstations.

To check that the hosting is enabled here are a few things:

• Remote Desktop Services Server
  • Not applicable on the workstations
  • ON on the server
• Workstation with Enterprise installed and stores the company file (Peer-to-peer)
  • OFF on the workstations
  • ON on Server
• Central Server
  • OFF on workstations
  • ON on Server

Step 5: Convert the Data From Pro to Enterprise Edition

1. Backup the Company Files Data

• In the QuickBooks Pro account
• Go to the File menu option
• Then select the option Create a backup from the drop-down menu
• Now browse and select a location to save the backup
• Then click on the ok button to start the backup process
• When the backup completes you can continue further.

2. Convert the Company File Data

Here you go with the conversion of the data of your QuickBooks Pro software to QuickBooks Enterprise after doing the setup. But it does not end here; many other things also there that you have to do after the conversion of data.

• Open the QuickBooks Enterprise on your computer
• Now open the Company File
• Provide the details like the Admin password
• Then click on the OK button
• After that, select the checkbox that says “I understand that my company file will be updated to this new version of QuickBooks”
• Hit on the Update Now button
• Click on the OK button to backup the data
• Then follow the on-screen prompts that you get to backup your company file
• When you get the pop-up message says you want to update your file then click on the Yes button
• After that, you are done.

Step 6: The Server and Network Settings

1. Set the Lists and User Permissions

You don’t have the same limits on your data. All the lists such as Customers, vendors, items, etc will be transferred to your new QuickBooks Enterprise edition. You are also able to change the permissions that you grant to the users (with up to 30 users simultaneously).

2. Register the QuickBooks Enterprise software

Registration is important, as you get many benefits that are available in the Enterprise edition. The steps to register QuickBooks Enterprise are as follows:-

• Open the QuickBooks Enterprise
• Then click on the Help menu option
• From further options, click on the Register QuickBooks
• Click on the Begin Registration to start the process
• There are a few instructions that you get displayed, follow it
• Then you are done.

Note: In case if you move your QuickBooks software from one computer to another then you have to register it again after moving to the new computer.

You get to know the whole process for QuickBooks Pro to Enterprise conversion. Do follow it properly and convert all your data to the higher edition. As you know, conversion makes your process more easy than doing it one by one manually.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYdR2lfwWRA

---

Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)