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Drake is a simple-to-use tax management software that optimizes tax planning and filing. With features like Planner, Scheduler, and multi-state returns, it helps you streamline workflows and boost productivity.
However, using Drake in a local IT setup can be challenging because of its limitations in accessibility, scalability, and data security.
As a tax professional, you can easily overcome these limitations by hosting Drake tax software in the cloud. Various cloud service providers offer Drake hosting services that allow you to opt for a cloud server to install Drake and other business applications, along with data.
In this blog, we will explore how hosting Drake software on the cloud increases your productivity and efficiency during tax season.
Benefits of Drake Tax Software on the Cloud
1. Anywhere and Anytime Filing
Drake tax software hosting lets tax professionals work anytime, anywhere, on any device. You don’t have to be in the office to access your files and data. All you need is a stable internet connection to work on Drake without any lag or downtime on personal devices, such as laptops and tablets.
For firms, Drake hosting provides them with a platform to implement work-from-home or Hybrid policies conveniently. It not only improves employee retention but also makes a firm a more attractive place to work.
2. Bank-level Security Features
Tax season is the peak time for cyber attackers to target confidential client data, with methods such as identity theft, spear phishing, and malware campaigns being the most prominent. Any such attack during tax season not only causes severe downtime but also dents the reputation.
However, with such an extensive workload, it becomes challenging for the in-house IT team to monitor, identify, and mitigate cyber threats in time. With Drake software in the cloud, service providers ensure a robust security posture with comprehensive features, including:
- Distributed and Gateway Firewalls
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS)
- Antivirus and Antimalware
- Patch Management
- Brute Force Protection
- Multi-factor Authentication
- End-to-end 256-bit AES Data Encryption
Moreover, providers implement Identity and Access Management (IAM) so firms can provide role-based access and file permissions to users, preventing insider threats, identity theft, and accidental deletions. They monitor the cloud 24/7 for any anomalies and suspicious behavior and respond proactively to mitigate threats.
Scale securely with Drake Cloud Hosting.
3. Easy Collaboration
During tax season, multiple stakeholders need to exchange tax forms and documents repeatedly over email, increasing the risk of errors and duplicate files. Moreover, the long email threads lead to delays and client dissatisfaction.
However, Drake tax software on the cloud makes it easier for team members to work on the same file simultaneously. Moreover, it provides tax professionals with an online platform where they can upload files for client review and approval, regardless of location.
4. Cost Minimization
Installing Drake on a local workstation demands significant capital investment. Firstly, you need to procure a high-end server for Drake software. Secondly, you need to invest in supporting equipment, including storage servers, air conditioning, and cabling. Moreover, additional operational costs, such as power bills and staff recruitment, add to overall IT expenses.
With Drake software in the cloud, you don’t need to invest in expensive workstations, as Drake can be accessed on basic remote devices such as smartphones, thin clients, and laptops. Consequently, tax firms can deploy flexible BYOD policies, reducing the overall in-house IT infrastructure costs. As the in-house infrastructure is minimized, so are the related operational expenses.
5. Seamless Scalability
Let’s think of another scenario now. It’s tax season, and you are experiencing a sudden surge in operations. To process the extensive number of tax returns, you need more processing power and storage. In an on-premises IT setup, if the system can’t provide the required resources, Drake software can crash or lag.
On the other hand, cloud hosting is a highly scalable platform that can scale up according to changing business requirements. During peak times, as your workload increases, so do the server resources. After the peak time is over, the resources revert to normal configuration. Cloud service providers charge you only for the resources utilized during the billing period.
6. Backup and Disaster Recovery
During tax season, any small disruption can cause significant downtime. Therefore, with an on-premises Drake setup, your IT team must deploy costly backup solutions to ensure business continuity. You must also hire and manage a cybersecurity team to safeguard critical financial data from unauthorized access.
With Drake cloud hosting, you can eliminate both of these problems. A reputable cloud hosting provider offers automatic data backup to ensure complete protection against ransomware attacks. Moreover, Drake cloud hosting providers implement a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plan (BCDR) that involves deploying redundant hardware and replicating data across multiple data centers to protect against cyberattacks and natural disasters.
7. Reduced In-house Dependencies
Locally hosted Drake requires a considerable effort by the IT team. After deployment, they need to regularly monitor, manage, and maintain hardware. Moreover, hardware must be periodically upgraded according to the refresh cycle.
With Drake software in the cloud, the service provider takes complete responsibility for IT management. They handle 24/7 monitoring, replacements, upgrades, and scaling, reducing in-house IT dependency.
8. Expert Team Support
Tax professionals cannot afford downtime due to technical issues during tax season. However, a local IT team often can’t handle the volume of issues. As a result, even minor system or software issues can cause productivity to dip.
Drake hosting providers offer 24/7/365 customer support. They deploy an expert team that responds via phone, call, or chat for swift resolution. Competent providers also assign a dedicated account manager to facilitate communication.
Get That Competitive Advantage with Drake Tax Software Cloud Hosting
Moving Drake Tax software to the cloud gives your team secure remote access, reduces IT hassles, and helps you work more efficiently. You can access client files and prepare taxes from anywhere without depending on office systems.
Drake Hosting also gives you advanced IT infrastructure without the cost of maintaining in-house servers. Ace Cloud Hosting offers customized Drake Hosting on SSD-backed servers with bank-level security, 99.99% uptime, 45-day backups, and 24/7/365 support. Want to see how Drake performs on the cloud? Try a 7-day trial.
Try secure, high-performance Drake Hosting free for 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Drake cloud hosting?
In this setup, you partner with a third-party cloud hosting provider that hosts Drake tax software on their virtual servers. You then reap the benefits of cloud technology while securely working on your client’s taxes from anywhere at any time.
How to choose the right Drake tax software hosting provider?
Do comprehensive research before choosing the right Drake hosting partner for your business. Make a list and compare several features, additional offerings, pricing plans, and other critical factors of each provider. Also, check out the online reviews on trusted platforms like Gartner to make an informed decision.
How much does Drake Cloud hosting cost?
The cost of Drake Cloud hosting depends on the provider you choose and your business requirements. Review all plans carefully and choose the right one. Also, ask the provider about any hidden costs to avoid surprises later.
Can I cancel the subscription any time?
Generally, cloud providers let you cancel the subscription at any time. You are charged through the end of the current billing cycle. However, you must read the provider’s SLA carefully to avoid vendor lock-in.
What features and services do I get in the free trial?
In our free trial, you will get all the features and services included in the pricing plans so you can experience superior Drake performance on the cloud.
