This article is co-authored by Mark Thompson, Senior Software Engineer at Intuit, along with Alex Johnson and Sarah Lee at AWS. By tailoring the Amazon AppStream 2.0 experience, Intuit enhances the user journey for customers transitioning from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Here, we discuss how Intuit effectively migrated users from the legacy QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.
Traditionally, migrating involved users completing several prerequisites, including:
- Updating QuickBooks Desktop to its latest version.
- Upgrading .NET and Windows OS on their physical desktops.
Users needed to have .NET version 4.5+ and Windows 10+ to continue using QuickBooks Desktop. Additionally, they were required to switch to a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) if they were using an outdated one.
To streamline this process, Intuit developed a standalone migration tool that offers: a) one-click migration access, and b) a browser-based experience, eliminating the need for manual software installations or updates. This tool facilitates a smooth data upload, and we will outline its architecture and benefits.
Many applications within the IT landscape still operate as desktop applications, addressing typical use cases like offline access and rapid local data retrieval. However, maintaining these applications, ensuring data security, and controlling access remains challenging. As part of their digital transformation, enterprises are migrating legacy desktop applications to cloud-hosted solutions, ensuring users have the latest software versions with optimal security, scalability, and simplified management.
Intuit stands as a global financial technology platform dedicated to enhancing prosperity for individuals and communities. With 100 million customers globally using TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, Intuit is committed to finding innovative ways to empower its users.
QuickBooks is a leader in small business financial technology, assisting over 7 million customers worldwide in simplifying complex business processes and compliance issues. From startups to scaling companies, QuickBooks provides the connected tools and insights necessary at every growth stage.
For QuickBooks Desktop users in the U.S. and Canada, it has been a primary tool for managing their accounting and financial data. Intuit’s goal is to expedite the digital transformation journey for QuickBooks Desktop users to QuickBooks Online by offering a streamlined experience across discovery, data migration, and online setup. QuickBooks Online, a subscription-based service, allows users to work remotely and synchronize their data across multiple devices, ensuring secure backups and immediate access to the latest updates.
Solution Architecture
The architecture of this migration tool focuses on initiating one-click migrations and accommodating a large number of concurrent users. The architecture diagram below illustrates an AppStream 2.0 fleet operating within an Amazon VPC environment, utilizing core services like AWS IAM and Amazon EC2 AMI.
A QuickBooks Desktop user experiences three main phases during migration:
- Discovery
The Intuit QuickBooks help article serves as the initial guide for migration. - Connection
Users can start their migration journey by clicking on the “Get Started” link. Upon clicking, they are redirected to a page to enter their Intuit QuickBooks Online credentials. The authentication is handled via a SAML 2.0 Identity Provider (IdP). For detailed information on AppStream 2.0 integration with SAML 2.0, refer to the administrative guide. Once authenticated, a browser-based AppStream 2.0 session is initiated, leveraging an always-on fleet within a secure Amazon VPC. - Migration
During the browser session, QuickBooks Desktop users can upload their data. Once successfully uploaded, the AppStream 2.0 session concludes, and users receive an email detailing the migration status. Following a successful transfer, desktop users can begin using QuickBooks Online.
To learn more about the complete migration process, check out this help article.
Key Features of AppStream 2.0 Addressing Migration Challenges
- Browser-Based Experience: Users can initiate a non-persistent session without needing to install any software on their desktops.
- Secure Session: AppStream 2.0 sessions are protected through SAML federation between Intuit Services and AWS, facilitated by a SAML 2.0 Identity Provider (IdP). The sessions are time-limited for added security.
- Scalability: AppStream 2.0’s scaling policy efficiently supports a high volume of concurrent users. For more insights on scaling desktop application streams, see this blog post.
- Instant Streaming: AppStream 2.0 ensures that always-on fleets are prepared before users start their streaming process, providing immediate access.
- Disaster Recovery: AppStream 2.0 offers multi-AZ fleet availability within a region and across multiple regions, enhancing resilience. For example, the us-west-2 region can serve as the primary streaming location, while the us-east-2 region can support sessions during rare outages.
Conclusion
Intuit has adeptly utilized AppStream 2.0 to create a standalone migration tool for its QuickBooks Desktop users, ensuring a seamless and efficient migration experience. This enables numerous users to transition to QuickBooks Online for improved functionality. This blog illustrates how customers can accelerate their digital transformation from legacy desktop applications using AppStream 2.0. For more information on Amazon End User Computing use-cases and best practices, visit the AWS documentation. If you have any feedback on this post, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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