The Future of Accounting Software…Browser Based Solutions

Oracle Founder Larry Ellison’s IPO of NetSuite (NYSE: N) is the popular stock picker’s public confirmation that browser based softwares are the wave of the future, where all you need is an internet connection and a browser – not even a hard drive.  Browser based softwares including Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), Concur (NASDAQ: CNQR), and Intuit’s TurboTaxOnline and QuickbooksOnline (NASDAQ: INTU), whereby no desktop software need to be installed and users simply pay a monthly license fee while the provider manages all of the backups, storage, etc. are sweeping the accounting software business and rightfully so.  It’s only a matter of time before Microsoft’s Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains) will adjust and starts offering it’s own solution, along with it’s CRM package, through a fully integrated online portal. If they don’t offer a cloud based accounting product, Microsoft’s may lose customers to the likes of Salesforce.com, NetSuite, Intuit, and Concur.