MS Windows Home Server

Add-In: WHS QuickBooks 2011 Released

WHS QuickBooks 2011 has been released by The Office Maven.

WHS QuickBooks 2011 is a complete rewrite, of the WHS QuickBooks for WHS V1 add-in that provides individual user-level access to Intuit’s QuickBooks application from your Windows Server Solutions server.

Available for Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials WHS QuickBooks 2011 can run a server-installed copy of QuickBooks from any computer just as if it were running directly on the local computer. QuickBooks runs in its own fully resizable window with its own entry in the taskbar. Its popup windows are redirected to the local desktop, its notification area icons (if any) appear in the local computer’s notification area, and the local computer’s drives and printers can be redirected to it; making a completely seamless “QuickBooks” experience for your end-users.

A single server-side installation of QuickBooks can be shared by up to 10 computers on your network (up to 25 for WSBS and WSS). Saving you money as well as providing each of your users with full access to their very own instance of QuickBooks locally, from their network-attached computer, or remotely from anywhere in the world using the server’s built-in Remote Web Access website.

A a fully functional 21 day trial version is available after which the add-in will cost you $49.99 ($39.99 for a WHS QuickBooks v2 to WHS QuickBooks 2011 Upgrade).

More information on WHS QuickBooks 2011 is available from here.

Cubby Another Cloud Service

News of another Cloud service which may be of use to Home Server users:

LogMeIn Inc. the company behind the popular namesake remote access service, has just opened the beta of ‘Cubby’, an all new cloud data service to simply and securely share information across PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android devices, or with other people. The first service built on LogMeIn’s very own cloud data sync and storage platform, Cubby lets people turn any number of PC or Mac folders into ‘cubbies’ that can be accessed from other devices, stored in the cloud, and shared with colleagues and friends. Cubby also gives people the option to simply share or sync an unlimited amount of information across their devices for free, and without ever counting against cloud storage limits. As a result, people have the flexibility to share and access information across their devices without having to worry about creating a new, separate version of their digital life in the cloud.

People interested in participating in the Cubby beta, which includes 5GB of cloud storage, free unlimited syncing across devices, as well as apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows, can request an invitation at Cubby.com.

"When it comes to sharing data in the cloud today, most solutions on the market are ultra simple but inflexible, or highly flexible but inherently complex. We see Cubby as an opportunity to deliver an ideal balance of simplicity and flexibility," said Marton Anka, LogMeIn’s CTO. "It is designed to adapt to the way people naturally interact with their information — to deliver the benefits of the cloud without forcing people to change their behavior."

Cubby highlights:

• Any folder can be a cubby — People can simply use the folders they have — their existing PC or Mac folders — or they can take advantage of a simple, easy-to-use default cubby. There’s no need to put files and documents into a single cloud folder/box, and no need to recreate existing folders.
• Share your stuff across devices for free, cloud optional — People can share their stuff across their devices for free, without being restricted by cloud data storage limitations. Cubbies can be stored to the cloud or simply synced across devices.
• Decide what content gets shared across which devices — Any cubby and its content can be synced to selected devices. So people can keep their work, personal and family information as separate as they’d like. No need to have those family holiday photos on your work PC or a copy of the latest TPS report from the office on your kid’s Macbook.
• Multiple ways to share and collaborate with others — Cubbies and their content can be shared with others either by inviting them into a cubby, which lets both parties see, work with, and sync content; or they can simply send people read-only links to files and cubbies.
• Simple access from anywhere, any device — Cubby can be accessed from any web browser, comes standard with Mac and PC desktop apps, and offers a free iPad and iPhone app in the Apple App Store and a free Android app in Google Play.
• Architected for security — Built on the same architecture used for LogMeIn’s connectivity products, Cubby takes advantage of industry best encryption standards to ensure data is protected at all times. As a key additional step, Cubby is designed in a way that gives users the ability to be the sole owner and holder of their encryption keys.

More information is available at Cubby.