Hosted desktop for accountants in Manchester
Enhance your accountancy practices’ IT with a Cloud2Me Hosted Desktop
With bespoke solutions for accountants based in Manchester, join hundreds of other practices who have seen their IT systems become faster, more reliable and more secure with a hosted desktop solution from Cloud2Me.
Why local businesses in and around Manchester trust us…
Supporting accountants based in Manchester, join the hundreds of accounting practices who have seen their IT systems become faster, more reliable and more secure with a hosted desktop solution from Cloud2Me.
We have been providing hosted desktops for over 30 clients in Greater Manchester since 2013
All our servers and staff based exclusively in the UK
Meet us in-person every year at Accountex Summit North in Manchester Central
Running your favourite accountancy apps
in the cloud with hosted desktop
We all have our favourite apps which run either locally on our PC or on the internal server. And while SaaS or ‘cloud-only’ apps can be great, as they only need a web browser to run, quite often the cloud version of a beloved app isn’t quite as good as the original desktop version.
But desktop apps require lots of security patching, they can run slowly on older servers/laptops and many of them can’t be accessed remotely. Want the best of both worlds?
Hosted desktops (or Virtual Desktops) allow you to have your cake and eat it. We can run all your favourite desktop apps in our cloud, allowing you to access your data from anywhere, upgrade your virtual hardware at a click of a button and guarantee uptime that is head and shoulders above the competition.
SageCCHTaxcalcVirtual CabinetOffice 365DocuSoftIrisBrightpayDigitaXeroInvuFYI Docs
Running your favourite accountancy apps
in the cloud withhosted desktop
Tailored for accountants based in Surrey, join hundreds of other practices who have seen their IT systems become faster, more reliable and more secure with a hosted desktop solution from Cloud2Me.
SageCCHTaxcalcVirtual CabinetOffice 365DocuSoftIrisBrightpayDigitaXeroInvuFYI Docs
Only the best support for your business
Your accountancy practice deserves the best support from engineers who know the difference between Sage Payroll 50 and BrightPay.
That’s the Cloud2Me difference and sets us apart from other generalists IT support companies that don’t understand the importance of IT uptime during the month of January.
Here’s what differentiates us from the competition:
- We are the fastest growing accountancy focused IT support company in the UK.
- We’re at all the major UK accountancy conventions
- If you ask about our reputation on AccountingWeb [link to AccountingWeb article], you will hear nothing but praise from our existing customers.
- Our UK based technical engineers are available by telephone, email or support portal 24/7/365.
- Our cloud is fully owned and run by us – it’s based in UK data centres.
- We’re therefore not dependent on the fluctuating costs and uptime of providers like AWS or Azure.
- In fact we have some of the best uptime statistics in our industry!
Meet us in-person
If you want to chat to us in person we’d be very happy to come meet you at your place of work or take you out for coffee at any of these following locations near you:
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport, Outwood Ln, Manchester M90 4WP
The Edwardian Manchester, Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Mackie Mayor, Smithfield Market Hall, 1 Eagle St, Manchester M4 5BU
How your business benefits
Remote Workforce
Access from anywhere on any device Same apps and data for all staff New PC’s connected within minutes
Data & Internet Security
Industry leading SonicWALL firewalls
Hourly backups – retained for 12 months
Offline backups stored with “air-gap”
System Performance & Uptime
Unlimited RAM and CPU resources Financially backed uptime (SLA) of 99.9% UK based, tier 3 (ISO27001) data centres
Predictable, Scalable Costs
Pay monthly only for active logins
Simple PC hardware in “thin clients”
IT system & support as an opex service
How other clients have benefitted…
Mike Miller
JE Miller Accountancy
Bryn Towns
Director at RoqSolid
Dominic McLoughney
Beckets Financial Services
Nathan Cutts
Cutts & Co Accountants
RDS vs Citrix
Connecting to your Hosted Desktop could not be easier, with a choice of the two market leaders in remote desktop connectivity. Both provide secure and reliable connections to your virtual desktop from anywhere in the world, but there are a few differences between the two:
RDX vs Citrix
Connecting to your Hosted Desktop could not be easier, with a choice of the two market leaders in remote desktop connectivity. Both provide secure and reliable connections to your virtual desktop from anywhere in the world, but there are a few differences between the two:
- The Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is Windows native
- Most widely used remote desktop tech in the world
- Cost effective and versatile
- Suited to both small and large businesses
- Suitable for all accounting apps, both desktop & web
- Solid security features inc. encryption and 2FA
- Very reliable, with rapid logins of under 5 seconds
- Ability to apply many security policies, to best suit the practice
- Cutting edge graphics performance “Citrix HDX”
- Zoom/Teams support – same as local PC experience
- Best support for USB/peripheral device redirection
- Comprehensive security policy catalogue
- Branded login screen
- Can offer “Published Applications” (local apps, running from Cloud)
- Access to Cloud resources, via ordinary web browser
- See ‘What is Citrix?’ Guide
- The most widely used remote desktop technology, the world over
- Cost effective and versatile in nature, suited to both small and large businesses
- Suitable for operating all accounting applications, whether desktop or web
- Solid security features such as encryption and two-factor authentication
- Very reliable in nature with rapid logins of under 5 seconds
- Ability to apply many security policies, to best suit the practice
- Cutting edge graphics performance “Citrix HDX”
- Zoom/Teams support – same as local PC experience
- Best support for USB/peripheral device redirection
- Comprehensive security policy catalogue
- Branded login screen
- Can offer “Published Applications” (local apps, running from Cloud)
- Access to Cloud resources, via ordinary web browser
- See ‘What is Citrix?’ Guide
Click here to read a more detailed guide on the differences between Citrix and RDS
Click here to read a more detailed guide on the differences between Citrix and RDS
Bolt on’s:
Office 365
2FA (Duo)
Exchange Email
Microsoft Packages
Added disk space
SQL Server
Want to mix and match – no problem!
FAQs
What is a hosted desktop for accountants?
A hosted desktop for accountants is a cloud-based service that provides a virtual desktop environment, allowing accountants to access their software, files, and applications from any device with an internet connection. It enables accountants to work remotely with the same efficiency as in an office, facilitating collaboration, improving data accessibility, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
How would you best describe, what a Hosted Desktop looks like to operate?
Does printing and scanning work in the same way?
Can other customers within your hosting environment, spread a virus or ransomware into our Hosted Desktop system?
Can we utilise our own Microsoft Office 365 licenses with the Hosted Desktop service?
Yes you can indeed. The only caveat is that they need to be the correct Office 365 license or “Microsoft 365” license, i.e. an “Enterprise” grade license. Such as “Office 365 E3” or “Microsoft 365 Standard”. (We can of course, help you with checking your Office 365 license).
What are the benefits of using a hosted desktop for accounting firms?
Using a hosted desktop for accounting firms offers several key benefits, including:
- Enhanced data security and compliance
- Improved flexibility
- Streamlines IT management
- Reliability and consistent performance
They enhance data security and compliance, as sensitive financial data is stored in secure, professionally managed data centres with regular backups and robust cybersecurity measures. It also provides flexibility and mobility, enabling accountants to access their work environment from any device with internet connectivity, which is ideal for remote work and client site visits.
Hosted desktops also streamline IT management by offloading software updates, maintenance, and technical support to the service provider, reducing the need for in-house IT resources. Additionally, this setup ensures consistent and reliable performance, scalability to adjust to the firm’s growing needs, and cost savings by eliminating the need for extensive on-premises hardware and infrastructure investments.
How secure is a hosted desktop for handling sensitive financial data?
A hosted desktop is highly secure for handling sensitive financial data, as it leverages advanced security measures typically beyond the scope of individual businesses or accounting practices. These measures include encryption for data in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, and compliance with industry standards and regulations such as GDPR and ISO.
Professional hosting providers such as Cloud2Me implement robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Hosted desktops also benefit from regular automated backups and disaster recovery plans, ensuring data integrity and availability even in the event of hardware failure or cyberattack. This comprehensive approach to security helps protect sensitive financial data from breaches, unauthorised access, and data loss.
Can a hosted desktop support my accounting software applications?
Yes, a hosted desktop can support your accounting desktop software applications, as it provides a virtualised environment that mimics a traditional desktop setup but with enhanced flexibility and accessibility. This means you can run all your usual accounting software, such as Sage, IRIS, CCH, TaxCalc or any other specialised applications, without compatibility issues.
A hosted desktop from Cloud2Me ensures that these applications operate seamlessly, offering the same performance and functionality as if they were installed on a local machine. They also allow for centralised management and updates, ensuring your software is always up-to-date and secure, while providing the convenience of accessing your work from any location with an internet connection.
How does a hosted desktop improve collaboration within an accounting team?
Hosted desktops can improve collaboration within an accounting team by providing a unified, cloud-based workspace that team members can access from anywhere, at any time.
This setup allows for real-time sharing and updating of documents and applications, ensuring that everyone is working with the latest information. Features like shared virtual desktops, synchronised file access, and collaborative tools facilitate seamless communication and coordination among team members.
Hosted desktops can also include integrated communication platforms like video conferencing, instant messaging, and shared calendars, further enhancing teamwork and project management. By centralising data and applications in a secure, accessible environment, a hosted desktop streamlines collaborative workflows and enhances productivity within the accounting team.
What kind of IT support is available for hosted desktop solutions from Cloud2Me?
Not all hosted desktop providers are the same, but at Cloud2Me, we offer 24/7/365 support by phone, email and through our dedicated customer portal. We offer all the usual IT related support (like troubleshooting certain apps, maintenance and updates) as well as more accountancy specific support (getting certain legacy accountancy software integrated with more modern applications).
How does a hosted desktop help in disaster recovery for accountants?
Hosted desktops significantly improve disaster recovery for accountants by providing robust, automated data backup and recovery solutions that guarantee business continuity in the event of hardware failures, cyberattacks, or other disruptions.
Since all your data and applications are stored in secure, off-site UK based data centres with redundant systems, they are protected against localised physical damage such as fires or floods.
In case of a disaster within their main office/HQ (fire or flood), accountants can quickly regain access to their virtual desktops from any device with an internet connection, minimising downtime and data loss. In other words everyone could work from home until new offices are found.
Cloud2Me also implement comprehensive disaster recovery plans, including regular testing and updates, ensuring that your accountancy practice can resume operations swiftly and reliably.
How easy is it to transition to a hosted desktop solution for accountants?
Moving to a hosted desktop, either from an on-premise setup or another hosting provider is easy. Cloud2Me offer a simple migration service which includes data transfer, software setup, and user training, to ensure a smooth and efficient transition with minimal disruption to the practice. You can read more about the migration process on this blog here: www.cloud2me.co.uk/moving-to-hosted-desktop
