How To Make QuickBooks Run Faster?
QuickBooks is powerful accounting software with an enormous range of accounting activities that can be handled by the Desktop version. It can create payrolls, schedule payments, send out reminders for bill payments, act as a unified platform for managing inventories, manage shipping operations, and do a lot more. This comes at the cost of the computational power of the system on which it is deployed. Depending upon the number of parallel operations, processing power of the system, and other factors, users are likely to experience a drop in the software performance which could hamper productivity. Here is how to make QuickBooks run faster if you experience a drop in productivity.
Maximize Resource Utilization
QuickBooks files require sufficient storage space and processing power for smooth operations. This is directly proportional to the size of the QuickBooks file of the company. The ideal amount of space required in the RAM is the size of the QuickBooks files multiplied by the number of users. If you are using virtual memory for running QuickBooks Desktop, ensure that the virtual machine is running on an internal hard drive. If the server has multiple internal hard drives, allocate one for the VM and another for the data file. It is recommended to avoid storing QuickBooks files in an external hard drive, Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive or servers running a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) as they are known to have adversely impacted performance.
Move Data to SSD Based Devices
When QuickBooks is installed on SSD based devices, there is a noticeable improvement in performance. SSD devices use flash memory chips for storing data. These do not have any moving parts reducing both the resource consumption and disk fragmentation leading to improved performance. More importantly, they are much faster than hard discs making them the ideal medium for QuickBooks Desktop operations.
Check Network Settings
If you are using QuickBooks in Terminal Services mode or with a networked computer, ensure that each user has a minimum of 0.5 GB of addressable RAM. In the case of a non-dedicated server, the application should be installed on the workstation with the maximum RAM space with the highest clock-speed and the least QuickBooks activity. The entire QuickBooks program should be installed on one system preferably in the C: root directory. The company data file should be on an internal hard drive in a computer on the network and the entire folder should be moved while transferring the data file to a different drive. Check the network speed and latency to confirm that a poor internet connection is not the cause for sub-optimal QuickBooks Desktop performance. Additionally, Network interface card (NIC) settings should be set to automatic to avoid the reduction of transfer rate when there are duplex mismatches.
Manage Application Performance
Plugins and pop-ups affect the performance of the QuickBooks Desktop application. Remove the plugins and addons that do not simplify operations. You can disable pop-ups from the Company Preference tab of the company file. Close all other unused applications that are competing for processing power while operating QuickBooks Desktop. Ensure that you have both the latest version of the application and the operating system so that there is the optimal utilization of available resources.
Optimize QuickBooks File
A large company file is one of the most common reasons for sub-optimal QuickBooks Desktop performance. As a thumb rule, the company file should be limited to 100 MB. While there are a few options available to solve the issue, the best option is to start a new company file. This might affect some of the data especially if you use Assisted Payroll and is also a time-consuming process. Alternatively, you can run the Condensation Data utility for compressing the file. This will, however, delete all transactions. The final option is to truncate the QuickBooks file. Do note that this feature is not built into QuickBooks and will need third-party assistance.
Streamline QuickBooks Operations
Changes to the application, operating system or network settings can hamper QuickBooks operations. While running the QuickBooks Diagnostic Tool should be able to automatically diagnose and repair problems, there could be certain aspects that could require manual intervention. It is a good idea to run the tool weekly to assess any damage to the company data file.
Too many DB File Fragments can be a cause for slowing down QuickBooks and reducing them should be a priority task for QuickBooks users. Do bear in mind the best practices like taking regular backup of transaction log (.TLG) files, clearing print queues, avoiding zero line transactions, minimizing multi-user mode use, regular workstation reboots, list item reduction, and reports optimization.
Why Hosted QuickBooks Might Be The Solution
If none of the options make QuickBooks Desktop run faster, it is time to migrate to a hosted QuickBooks Desktop. This option allows greater flexibility in resource management and improves scalability when you need more processing power for QuickBooks. As an Intuit Authorized Hosting Provider, Apps4Rent is one of the few providers to offer high-availability SSD servers with 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email. Call us today to get a quote on our promotional prices.
