Customer Reviews

Peachtree By Sage Complete Accounting 2009 [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I gave the 2008 version a pretty scathing review, however, (after a couple days mind you) this version seems to reach all the promise of 2008 that was unfullfilled. I guess the biggest new feature is the ability to look at more than 2 years of data but to me the improvements are in the stability and speed. Things actually open fast, like they were suppose to in 2008. I had various bugs in 2008(backups freezing, front screen not showing any data etc..) that have miraculously disappeared with 2009. I have been using this single user version but also have a network version I will install soon. I never installed 2008 on the network after being so disappointed with it in the single environment.
I will update the rating if things change and will likely post under the multi-user version once I get that installed but after reading what they improved they seem to have focused on improving the network abilities of Peachtree so I'm hopeful the speed and stability carries over to the multi-version as well.
The install was flawless and recognized the anti-virus and firewall by name and gave detailed instructions on dealing with both during install.
I am running on Vista and also on a pretty updated machine with max memory so I can't vouch for slower machines until I do the network install. If you are familiar with Peachtree pre-2008 you likely agree it had been the best program for the money bar none. Early returns suggest it is back to that position. Also note they have a quantum version if you run a larger network and need to keep the speed up as I imagine the regular versions will slow down past 3-4 people on a network.
I trashed them in the 2008 review so I have to give them early props for 2009.

This is an excellent accounting software. I had never use a Peachtree accounting software before, although I was familiar with other accounting programs. As a graduate accounting student, I had been using different accounting softwares the to do the bookkeepings for several small bussinesses for families and friends. After several months of trying out, I found that this is the best accounting software available.

Before I bought this software I checked around for descriptions and features by going directly to peachtree.com. As for the price, even Peachtree is giving out some tempting discounts, the price for this software on amazon.com is unbeatable. As always of my purchases on amazon.com, better price than anywhere else and no coupon needed.

I not sure why are some comments here from other users which state that the software has an incompatability problem with the Vista 64-bit version. I have Vista 64-bit OS and has no problem with the software, even when I first installed it.

However, I would advice that using the installation advices from "Help" option with care. The advice about "Run as administrator" will actually mess up your installion/software. If that happens you might need to uninstall and reinstall the software again. Also, you do need to disable all your antivirus and firewall softwares temporarily just before the installation. The software might still work well with some components being blocked from installing by the antivirus/firewall software. But that will give you some errors/issues later. Once the installation completed you just need to restart the system. You can open the program as the finishing screen offers that option, but it's good idea to restart the system immediately after you close the program.

Peachtree is more robust than Quickbooks because it is fully a "double entry" accounting product while Quickbooks tracks cash and does not give the user control over where the "other side" of the entry is recorded in the financial statements. Having said that, Peachtree software is written so that the user can only migrate the accounting database up to a more costly Peachtree accounting product. Peachtree Complete Accounting 2009 database will automatically be moved to Complete Accounting multi user or to Peachtree Distribution 2009 or the other industry specific products. However it is not possible to move the Distribution accounting database down to the less costly Complete Accounting product. Also the Distribution database cannot be moved to the manufacturing specific product. Peachtree has designed their products to be difficult for the user to change from their more costly accounting products to their less costly products. As a user I am disappointed with Peachtree's effort to keep the user hooked on the more costly accounting product. To move back to a less costly accounting product the user has to set up the company information, chart of accounts and beginning balances as though it were a first time user.

I've been working with Peachtree for some time now and I think it's a great program - simple and easy and yet there are so many things you can do with it.

Having worked in public accounting for 23 years and as chief accountant for a construction firm for 8 years, I have to tell you this version of Peachtree is awesome! It is much more than I expected it to be. After loading it the program went out to the web and did some updating, but that wasn't a big deal. It has worked flawlessly. I'm truly impressed.

Why did they have to take something that worked great and totally change the appearance to make it looke like another lesser product. Peachtree is a workhorse and runs great but I hate the new screens and layout, it's not as easy as previous versions to get around and find what you need.

Do not buy this product if your Vista computer is a 64 bit and not a 32 bit. No where in the product description does it say that the Peachtree for 2009 is not compatible with the 64 bit Vista. I have the 2005 Peachtree but it would not transfer to my new computer with the Vista operating system. I waited until the product review on Amazon said that the bugs had been worked out with Peachtree and Vista and then bought the new 2009. I spent hours trying to download. I finally got through to the Peachtree tech support and was told "Sorry, it won't work." It took a while but I finally received a full refund from Sage. So again I'm back to using two computers. I'm really frustrated. In order to send in my review I had to rate it, but obviously I have no idea how it works because I never got to use it. So I give it no stars.

You'd have to be nuts to pay almost retail for the 2009 version when you can get the newer versions for far less. Peachtree tries to make each version outmoded in three years after buying. It will still work, but you can't get any tech assistance or services for it after that point. Amazon should be giving this away practically. Or maybe just throwing it away.

I have been able to save alot of money buying my software upgrades on Amazon. The retail price is outrageous and this is the second time I have purchased Peachtree upgrades on Amazon. The original buyer is making money and I can buy it at a discount. It is a win-win deal!