MYOB takes battle to Xero with partner conversion, cloud offering

MYOB is offering a conversion service through some of its partners to make it easier to import data into AccountRight Live from Xero or QuickBooks.

The initial MYOB Conversion Services Partners are 2Peas, Love Your Numbers, Ebiz Solutions, Administration Made Easy and Freedom Accounting Support.

An introductory offer provides six months free use of AccountRight Live for end customers if they use MYOB Conversion Services by the end of October 2013.

According to 2 Peas' Pam Madytianos: "We've been heavily involved in working with MYOB during the conversion services development phase and we now specialise in it. We're converting large numbers of clients, generally within two to three days of gaining access to the client's old files.

"We are able to bring across all the historical data across, plus all their open bills and invoices, and all their customer, supplier and employee data. Because we are a long-standing MYOB consultancy business, we know the best way to set up the new MYOB files for clients.

"They not only get all their historical data, but also get a file that is set up in accordance with best practice," added Madytianos.

[LinkedIn: Will software-as-a-service become dominant?]

MYOB is also rallying against Xero by offering clients a hosted solution.

According to MYOB, the program enables accounting firms to move their Accountants Enterprise and Accountants Office practice solutions to the cloud via two accredited Australian IT and cloud hosting providers.

General manager, accountants division, Adam Ferguson said: "Our accredited hosting providers, CloudIT and Vault, provide accountants the benefits of accessing their data anywhere, anytime. They will also work with us in managing installations, upgrades, and back-ups.

"Our practice cloud partners have proven track records in their field and passed our rigorous accreditation process with flying colours. Accounting firms who are interested in moving to the cloud are in safe, secure hands. They can have peace of mind when it comes to data security and better control of their data."

One user of MYOB's cloud solution, David Keith  from Collins Hume Accountants and Business Advisers, said: "Perhaps the biggest advantage is being able to access our entire system including Accountants Enterprise and MYOB BankLink from any device at any time."

However, one of Xero's major integration partners told CRN: " MYOB's applications aren’t cloud-ready based on this announcement. Although customers will be able to access through remote desktop technology as many now do, customers are shifting the cost of managing this legacy environment off to another provider."

[Want more stories like this? Sign up to our free bulletin]