Integrate OpenAir with Quickbooks Online

Update: As of April 2023 OpenAir integration with QuickBooks desktop version using OpenAir Integration Manager will no longer be supported. In addition there is no out-of-the-box integration available for OpenAir and Quickbooks Online. However, this script that we have developed for is a great alternative should you be migrating your desktop version of Quickbooks to QuickBooks online.

Ten years ago, the talk of moving work to the cloud was surfacing as a legitimate strategy. Today, software providers and the companies that use them have embraced the benefits of SaaS software and cloud-based applications.

These benefits are why many companies that use the popular QuickBooks financial software have moved to QuickBooks online. It’s also why so many professional services organizations rely on OpenAir.

Netsuite OpenAir has, in the past, offered an integration to the desktop version of QuickBooks, simplifying the sharing of a host of financial data between the two applications. Unfortunately, OpenAir doesn’t offer a standard integration to QuickBooks Online.

But all is not lost. Top Step has run into this request with many customers and developed a customizable integration that connects QuickBooks Online to your OpenAir platform.

What is the OpenAir to QuickBooks Online Integration?

Simply put, Top Step’s integration for QuickBooks Online connects OpenAir to the financial accounting SaaS application, allowing for bi-directional syncing of data between the two.

What kind of data? Really, any financial information that is stored in one system that you would like and is relevant to the other can be shared. This most commonly  includes:

• Invoices
• Expense reports
• Payments
• Other financial data

Obviously, it’s critical that this information be accurate when it’s entered into the non-source application. The only way, currently, to get that data from one platform to the other is through manual input – a method that is rife with opportunities for mistakes, not to mention labor-intensive and time-consuming. Simply transposing two numbers on data entry can cause serious problems in either QuickBooks or OpenAir, so having the ability to automate data syncing can save a lot of time and headaches.

What are the Benefits of the QuickBooks Online Integration with OpenAir?

Given that, it’s easy to see the first benefit of using this integration – it eliminates the need for manual entry. That means eliminating the potential for data entry errors, as well as freeing up resource time to execute more important (and likely more fulfilling) tasks.

Another challenge with manual entry is the delay. Information is only updated when someone has the time to do it, making the data out of date almost as soon as it’s entered. The OpenAir to QuickBooks Online integration allows financial information to be shared regularly and frequently. The timing is configurable, but most clients use our recommendation of configuring as hourly updates.

Updating your financial information across the platforms supports better reporting and data-driven decision-making. Reports aren’t created off of stale data, and decisions can be made based on what is actually happening in the business and not projections based on old information.

What to Expect When Implementing the OpenAir to QuickBooks Integration with Top Step

Reaping the benefits of this integration simply means having Top Step implement it for you. However, each organization has a different financial setup and needs, so while the integration itself is a common code base, customization is required for each instance.

The process starts with Top Step meeting with you to understand the requirements for the integration – what needs to be shared, where data should flow from and to, and so forth. This requirement-gathering process in itself can be a benefit. Often, we find additional opportunities for optimization as a result.

From there, Top Step will begin the final development and configuration of your integration with QuickBooks Online and OpenAir. This process typically takes between two and four weeks.

Conclusion

Keeping data between your financial system and your PSA accurate and up to date is crucial. If, like many companies, you’ve shifted to QuickBooks Online, you might be feeling the strain of no longer having an integration into OpenAir. But with Top Step’s OpenAir to QuickBooks Online integration, your financial data can automatically be reliably and regularly updated in both systems.

 

Interested in finding out more about how to integrate your OpenAir System with QuickBooks Online?
Contact us today – we’d love to talk with you and if it is a good fit for your organization.