Dueling Accounting Spokespeople

By James Gaskin, NetworkWorld.com, 06/23/06

A Microsoft spokesperson took exception to my No Coincidences posting. First, the spokesperson said Microsoft didn't release the story during the QuickBooks Enterprise conference, but the Wednesday before. Since that means all the weekly magazines will print the message the same week as the conference, that doesn't excuse the timing in my eyes.

Here's the message about eBay and PayPal integration: "QuickBooks integration with eBay is an add on software package that is run separately and does not map the eBay transactions to the chart of accounts within the accounting software program. eBay is built into Microsoft SBA 2007 itself and has the ability to both list inventory directly into eBay and automatically download all of the transactions and fees. This built-in integration with eBay is something that small business users have been asking for."

"As well, QuickBooks does not currently integrate with PayPal. Microsoft SBA 2007 will provide built-in integration for merchant accounts from PayPal. SBA 2007 will also enable invoices with PayPal integration to be emailed from SBA to the end customer via a button, which allows for payment straight from within the mail and then directly updates to the ensuing transaction into the chart of accounts (ebill presentment and payment and updates from and to SBA)."

And here's the QuickBooks response: "Unfortunately, it is difficult to make a valid comparison between a competitor's unreleased product and Intuit's current offering. That said, below is more information on our eBay offering."

Ooh, QuickBooks comes out swinging and scores early. Microsoft says the SBA 2007 package will ship in January, but we won't know that for another six months, will we?

QuickBooks continues: "The eBay Accounting Assistant (launched June 23, 2005) is in fact a free add-on application for subscribers to eBay Stores, Selling Manager, Selling Manager Pro and eBay Blackthorne products that facilitates the download of both eBay - and PayPal - fees and transactions into QuickBooks. It was developed in response to customer feedback, as are many new features, improvements and add-ons to Intuit's products. For customers needing eBay and PayPal integration, the add-on is only a few clicks away from the QuickBooks Solutions Marketplace.

Who is right? It sounds like QuickBooks integrates eBay and PayPal directly into the package, and it's a free add-on besides. Whether the integration with eBay and PayPal is tighter with Microsoft's SBA 2007 won't be known for at least six months. QuickBooks also has a large developer community adding custom features, although Microsoft usually wins any developer headcount comparisons.

If you need eBay integration today, it looks like QuickBooks is your choice. Despite the present tense verbs in the Microsoft message for a future product (English teachers frown on that), it will be six months before we have a direct comparison.

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