In a collaborative effort by Alex Parker and Sarah Lin, this blog explores how Intuit utilizes Amazon AppStream 2.0 to streamline the transition of QuickBooks Desktop users to QuickBooks Online. By tailoring the AppStream 2.0 experience, Intuit enhances the end-user journey, making the migration process smoother for customers.
Traditionally, migrating requires users to complete several prerequisites, including:
- Updating QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version
- Upgrading to .NET and Windows OS on local machines
Users must ensure their systems meet the .NET version 4.5+ and Windows 10+ requirements to run QuickBooks Desktop. Additionally, if users are on unsupported browsers, they need to switch to a compatible one (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
To simplify this process, Intuit developed a standalone migration tool that offers:
a) one-click migration access and
b) a browser-based interface that eliminates the need for manual software installation or updates. This tool facilitates a seamless data upload, and we will detail its architecture and benefits.
Many applications in the IT landscape continue to be delivered as desktop applications, catering to specific needs like offline access and quick retrieval of locally stored data. However, maintaining up-to-date applications, securing local data, and managing access can be challenging. As part of their digital transformation, enterprises are moving legacy desktop applications to cloud-based solutions, ensuring users have the latest software versions, enhanced security, scalability, and easier management.
Intuit is a leading financial technology platform empowering individuals and communities globally. With 100 million users relying on TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, Intuit is committed to fostering prosperity through innovative solutions.
QuickBooks is a frontrunner in small business financial technology, serving over 7 million customers worldwide. It simplifies complex business processes and compliance matters, aligning with the company’s mission to support economic growth. From startups to established businesses, QuickBooks provides essential tools, expert services, and insights needed for every growth phase.
For QuickBooks Desktop users in the U.S. and Canada, it has been a vital tool for managing financial records. Intuit aims to expedite the digital transformation of QuickBooks Desktop users to QuickBooks Online by providing a seamless experience for discovery, data migration, and online setup. QuickBooks Online, a subscription-based service, allows users to work flexibly across devices, with secure data backups and instant access to updates.
Solution Architecture
The migration tool’s architecture is designed for easy initiation with one click and supports a high volume of concurrent users. The accompanying architecture diagram depicts an AppStream 2.0 fleet operating within an Amazon VPC, utilizing AWS IAM and Amazon EC2 AMI core services.
During the migration process, QuickBooks Desktop users navigate through three primary stages:
- Discovery: Users begin their migration journey with Intuit’s QuickBooks help article.
- Connection: Users can click “Get Started” to initiate migration. Upon clicking the link, they are directed to enter their Intuit QuickBooks Online credentials, completing the authentication via a SAML 2.0 Identity Provider (IdP). For further details on AppStream 2.0’s integration with SAML 2.0, refer to the Administrative guide. Following successful authentication, the browser-based AppStream 2.0 session begins, utilizing a dedicated fleet within a secure Amazon VPC.
- Migration: Within the AppStream 2.0 session, users can upload their QuickBooks Desktop data. Once the upload is complete, the session concludes, and the migration status is sent to the user via email. After successful migration, users can begin using QuickBooks Online.
To delve deeper into the migration process, check out this insightful help article on moving your books to QuickBooks Online with an online tool.
Key Highlights of AppStream 2.0 in Overcoming Migration Challenges
- Browser-based Experience: Users can initiate a session directly from their browser without needing to install a software agent on their desktop.
- Secure Session: The AppStream 2.0 session benefits from a SAML federation between Intuit Services and AWS through a SAML 2.0 Identity Provider (IdP), ensuring a time-bound and secure session.
- Scalability: AppStream 2.0’s scaling policy accommodates a large number of concurrent users. For more information on scaling desktop applications via Amazon AppStream 2.0, refer to the AWS Compute Blog.
- Instant Streaming: AppStream 2.0 maintains always-on fleets, ensuring streaming instances are available as soon as a user initiates the process.
- Disaster Recovery: AppStream 2.0 provides multi-AZ fleet availability and can operate across regions to enhance resiliency. For example, if streaming is unavailable in the primary region (us-west-2), sessions can be conducted in the us-east-2 region. More details can be found in the Disaster Recovery documentation for Amazon AppStream 2.0.
Conclusion
Intuit has effectively harnessed AppStream 2.0 to create a standalone migration tool for QuickBooks Desktop users. This tool guarantees a seamless, efficient migration journey, enabling a vast number of users to transition to QuickBooks Online for improved experiences. This blog showcases how customers can accelerate their digital transformation from legacy desktop applications using AppStream 2.0. For additional insights on Amazon’s end-user computing use cases and best practices, visit the AWS documentation. For further reading, check out this blog post for more engaging content.
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