Proseries mess

I have owned the program since 1995. I have always run it on a network but this year is the worse. Fatal memory errors in the middle of an interview or data entry and you lose all the information unless you hit the save button after every key stroke is ridiculous!

Either stick with the standalone version or be prepared to babysit the network version like a sick child.

The network version has NEVER worked properly ever since we started using it so many years ago.

Maybe I'm an optimist to have stuck around this long, but frankly, it's getting tiring.

They really need to scrap their homegrown database and use something more robust such as SQL Server.

I went with the network version because the peer to peer network created many tmp files and then lost data. Also the duplicate DCN's were making for another problem.

For many $$ spent every year I can't believe the many constant problems with basic functionality. Who would put up with this?

My plan is to dump Proseries for my personal returns for next year. The import feature of my QuickBooks data file into the corporate income tax return is too powerful and important to loose. So they got me on that one.

Unless someone else has a decent workaround.

I'm almost afraid to say this out loud, but I'm using ProSeries for the first time this year, purchased the network version, and I've had absolutely no problems with it. However, I'm doing all the efiling from my computer so that might be why I've had no problems with DCN. All data entry is being done first on the workstation then I'm reviewing, printing, and efiling from my workstation. I'm using a wired peer to peer network (I'm not a techie so my descriptions might not be the right terminology.), Windows XP, and I have mapped a drive where my program and files reside. I sure am glad I haven't had network problems because with the other problems I've been having with using ProSeries I would be in deep trouble at this time. I don't think the program is very user friendly. I know how to use it, but it just doesn't do things the way I want to is the main problem.

I have been using this program since 1998 on a network. The first year was rough but every year after that it just gets better and better until the 2006 tax prgram. Something happened, I don't know what. All my info was messed up with my other office.

I think "mess" describes the situtation beautifully! we started having issues last season with duplicating clients, missing clients and rediculously long and frequent homebase reconciliations. This year we are not duplicating or missing people like we did before, but we are having terrible luck with the homebase. saving a single return can trigger a homebase reconciliation that will last at times up to an hour or more. we have talked to everyone at Intuit and have an ongoing case with a high level tech but thus far have just gone in circles. Is anyone experiencing anything similar?

What a nightmare for you. I can't believe that ProSeries is letting this kind of thing happen. I haven't personally had these issues, but this is my first year to use ProSeries. You can be sure it would be my last, though, if I were having the same problems you are having. I'm running my network version on a peer-to-peer network with three computers in the same office (not wireless), I only e-file from one computer. We're all running Windows XP. It's a pretty simple setup. I did have one time at the beginning of the season when I had to do a homebase reconciliation that took over an hour, but that was the only time I had that issue. The program occasionally shuts down but I've narrowed that down to deleting a form while reviewing it for e-filing, then trying to use the "back" button. Every time I do that the program crashes and I lose the data, so I just don't do it. I hope you get your problems worked out. Does ProSeries have a money-back guarantee?

Have been using Proseries for years and including this year. Had more network problems with Express in 2004 but none with Pro in 2005 and nothing major this year. did have one little glitch this year that a tech walked me through.

Greetings!

The update that addresses the memory error issue was released on 3/6. If you have not updated, I urge you to do so, if you have, please verify your engine version by going to the Help menu, selecting About ProSeries, then holding the control key down and clicking OK. This will open a dialog that will tell you the version of the engine that you currently have. The version should read wPro.2006.08.00.25. If your version matches this, you should no longer see the memory error.

Kevin W.
ProSeries Technical Support

I agree with the eventual move to something else.

Support told me that network crashes were fixed and that I am an isolated incident.

"MESS" is the word, I did not use ProSeries in 2005, and came back when the company I went with sold out. I figure my office lost 3 1/2 hours per day because of the network problems. This does not include the money spent for my IT person to be on the phone with high level techs. Our network would also get extremely slow, we would manually run the homebase tune up every morning, and at noon. Also, as you said when you would save a client the reconcilliation would come up. At one point it took 1 hour and 25 minutes to open 4 clients, check the box to e-file for the extensions. We ended up printing all the extensions and mailing them in because of the problems Intuit had with e-filing.

I still have several extensions to complete if anyone has an idea how to fix this problem please let me know.

Here is a link to the WebCPA cite that has an interesting article regarding Intuit's situation at the end of the tax year:

http://www.webcpa.com/article....

We hear your feedback and understand the importance of ensuring that ProSeries? networking functionality works at the level you need, and we want to deliver. Although we?ve worked to make networking improvements each year, we understand that some customers continue to have problems. In Tax Year 2006, we focused on making improvements in the speed of ProSeries in a network environment for firms with a large number of clients. We?re currently evaluating whether those changes adversely affected our network performance in other ways, and determining the best way to address this for Tax Year 2007. Again, we appreciate your feedback.

I have used this software since 1989.
Your company has changed my account number many times, and if you want to check you will have to do some detective work on the account numbers.

My problem? Software was extremely slow in 2006, crashes many times per day. Calls to Tech support not helpful. Very disappointed in lack of honesty regarding crashing of software. I was led to believe I was the only one experiencing problem, so it must be my computer.

I experienced problem for last three years. I am renewing for 2007. If no improvement I will find other software.

Also, please pass on to management that a source higher than a tech, who just follows online script, should be available to help with these problems.

Thanks for any help you can provide

I really didn't have many problems doing 2006 returns. Maybe I'm not as large firm as you I only do around 1,000 returns.

Jim, since you obviously work for Tax Wise I suggest that you GET OFF PROSERIES!

I have purchased the TaxWise software because of my high level of frustration with ProSeries. I have found that the problems I have with ProSeries are different in some ways from those experienced at TaxWise, I have not concluded that I will implement the switch.

Communication with them is no better that ProSeries. I believe that the problem is with our culture as a whole rather than the segments of it. Excuses have long been rewarded over performance. Big business is socialistic rather than remaining capitalastic, which all starters of businesses are.

TaxWise at first glance looks almost as good as ProSeries and for half the price seems to look good.

I just wish that one company would REALY care about us. If they did they would get a lot of business.

The jury is still out with me.

Good Luck to you all as we boldly Gear Up for the battle ahead. Just a little pun on a great Seminar started by the greatest tax man I have ever met...Jerry Tollefson. May he live a long and happy life.