When Intuit first discussed its upcoming web-based practice management application late last year, the product had a target date for full introduction and a stated name. Now, it has neither and the company isn't talking about any specifics in either area. Instead of giving a roll-out schedule, the company says the Phase One pilot is complete and offers information on the next stage of the pilot program.
The product was originally to be called ProLine Practice Management. However, Intuit has killed the two-year old effort to bring its professional tax and accounting products under the unified ProLine brand. The ProLine name remains on some sites, but is being replaced. The name "Lacerte" has been placed in the ProLine logo that contains the product name.
Intuit had also talked about a May introduction. But instead, a spokesperson noted that, "Based on the input from customers using ProLine Practice Management during the pilot late last year, we decided to take the additional time to create a solution that incorporated more of the features and capabilities our customers were asking for."
In a December press release, the company said the test would last through April 30 and was to support Lacerte 2010 and QuickBooks 2008 through 2011.
The company originally said 1,000 firms would participate in the pilot, and then raised the number to 2,000 after April 30 had passed. The need for a second pilot is also a change of plans. Instead of providing information about the commercial launch the Intuit website advises potential users to "Stay tuned for the second phase of our Pilot." That is slated for this year.
Intuit has demonstrated the product at the state society shows this year and provides information about features on its web site.
Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards. Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind
