The digital era has totally changed the game of tax preparation and filing. The professionals in this industry have come a long way – from drowning in stacks of paper and drowning even more in the stress of manual calculations to automated tax preparations.
How can you escape this tax-time nightmare, you ask? Well, the answer lies in the selection of the right tax software. These intuitive and efficient tools have empowered tax professionals to streamline their workflows and enhance accuracy. One name that has become quite the star in the world of tax software is none other than Drake tax.
Drake tax software has gained quite a reputation among tax professionals for its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and reliability. It can guide you through the complex world of tax codes and calculations. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out in the tax game, Drake has got you covered. From comprehensive data management to efficient e-filing capabilities, this software packs a punch that will simplify the tax preparation process for you.
But hold on a second, there’s more to this story. You see, tax professionals like you have always been pros at hosting software on-premise. You’ve mastered the art of managing and maintaining software locally. But what about Drake cloud hosting? Does it sound like a technology that is only meant for large businesses?
In this post, we will unravel the cloud hosting mystery in just a bit to help you understand the differences between Drake hosting and traditional on-premise hosting.
Detailed Comparison Between Drake Hosting and Traditional Tax Software Hosting
As a Drake user, you must know that it is up to you to decide how you want to host the licensed software – either on-premise using the local IT infrastructure or on the cloud via third-party cloud servers. Each of these hosting options has its pros and cons. Let’s find out more about them in terms of different factors, including:
1. Software accessibility
As a tax professional yourself, you might already have a knack for burning the midnight oil during tax season. Wouldn’t it be great if you could work on tax returns from the comfort of your own couch at home? Well, with Drake Hosting, you can do just that!
Imagine this scenario:
It’s a chilly winter evening, and you’re cozied up by the fireplace, with a hot cup of cocoa in one hand and your laptop in the other. Suddenly, you remember you need to make a quick change to a client’s tax return. No problem! You simply log into your cloud-hosted Drake account, and voila! Your tax software is right there at your fingertips, allowing you to make the necessary revisions without skipping a beat.
Now, let’s contrast that with traditional tax software hosting. Picture yourself in the same situation, but this time you’re at home and your tax software is installed on your office computer. You’d have to brave the cold, drive all the way to the office, and hope that you remembered to save the latest version of the file locally. Not exactly the convenient scenario you were hoping for, right?
Drake cloud hosting eliminates the need for such adventures and offers you the freedom to access your tax software anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re on a business trip, taking a well-deserved vacation, or simply working from home, all you need is a smart device connected to the Internet and your authorized access credentials to access the cloud server. It’s like having your tax office in the palm of your hand, providing you with the flexibility to work on tax returns whenever and wherever it suits you best.
2. Risk of device failure
We’ve all been there – that dreaded moment when your computer decides to throw a tantrum and crashes right in the middle of an important task. Will you lose all your progress? Will you have to start over from scratch?
Indeed, it’s frustrating, time-consuming, and can potentially put your work at risk. But fear not, as with Drake Hosting, you can bid farewell to the worry of local device failures sabotaging your tax preparation efforts.
Hosting Drake on the cloud means your tax data will be stored in secure data centers with robust backup systems in place. Even if your device decides to go on strike, your work stays safe and sound in the cloud. Simply log in from another device, and you can pick up right where you left off.
On the other hand, with traditional tax software hosting, your precious tax data could be at risk if your local device fails, whether due to hardware malfunctions, viruses, or natural disasters. Unless you’ve diligently backed up your files, you might find yourself scrambling to recover lost data or even worse, starting from scratch and facing the wrath of looming tax deadlines.
Statistic Alert: According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, 60% of small businesses that experience a major data loss go out of business within a year.
3. Support services
Tax preparation can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of complex rules and regulations. If you have the Drake software installed on local computers, you would have to rely on limited support channels.
You might find yourself waiting on hold for extended periods or struggling to reach a knowledgeable support representative. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re facing a pressing deadline or encountering an issue that requires immediate attention. You might even end up spending valuable time searching through online forums or community boards for answers. A solution here is to hire on-premise IT professionals but that will increase the operations costs.
The availability of round-the-clock support with Drake hosting fulfills this need in a better way. It ensures that you never have to face tax-related challenges alone. Whether it’s early morning, late at night, or even during weekends and holidays, the cloud hosting support team will be there to provide timely assistance and help you overcome any obstacles that come your way.
Since most tax professionals don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, neither should the support system. With Drake cloud hosting, you have the peace of mind that expert guidance is always within reach, allowing you to focus on delivering top-notch service to your clients.
4. Device agnostic feature
Wouldn’t it be great if your Drake tax software could seamlessly adapt to whichever device you prefer to use?
Traditional tax software hosting can be quite restrictive when it comes to device compatibility. It may require you to use only a specific system to access the software, thereby limiting your choices. If you’re using a device that doesn’t meet these requirements, you may not be able to access the tax software or face compatibility issues that hinder your productivity.
On the other hand, you get the freedom to choose your device without sacrificing functionality with cloud-hosted Drake. In other words, Drake hosting is device agnostic, meaning you can access the tax software from a wide range of devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and even smartphones.
Whether you’re a fan of the big screen and prefer to work on a desktop computer, or you’re always on the go and rely on your trusty tablet, Drake Hosting has got you covered. You can use the device that suits your preferences and work style best, without any limitations.
5. Reduced upfront investments
When in business, every dollar saved is a step closer to achieving your business goals. Unfortunately, traditional tax software hosting often adds to the financial burden, with costs associated with setting up servers and maintaining infrastructure. These upfront investments could not fit your budget, especially if you’re just starting out or trying to grow your tax practice.
Fear not as Drake hosting can come to the rescue by offering a reduced upfront investment option that can save you some hard-earned cash. When you choose to host Drake on the cloud, you eliminate the need to invest in costly infrastructure. Instead, you pay a subscription fee based on your usage, which is often more affordable, particularly for small to medium-sized tax practices.
This way, you can redirect the saved funds towards other critical aspects of your business, such as marketing efforts, staff training, or upgrading your office equipment.
With Drake cloud hosting, you gain the flexibility of accessing the tax software from anywhere, the assurance that your work is safe from local device failures, the convenience of round-the-clock support, the freedom to choose the device that suits your preferences, and the opportunity to reduce upfront investments. Your clients will thank you, and you’ll thank yourself for making the switch to a more streamlined and modern approach.
