Hello, Ed. 

I get where you’re coming from. Having an employee on the go and needing a better way to handle sales orders can be a challenge. Let’s explore some options that will make it a whole lot easier for both you and your traveling salesperson.

First, consider exploring third-party apps designed to integrate with QuickBooks Enterprise for handling sales orders. These applications provide remote access and sync seamlessly with QBE, allowing your salesperson to enter orders on the go. You can find several excellent suggestions through this link: Apps for QuickBooks Desktop. 

Additionally, you can opt for QuickBooks Desktop Cloud Hosting powered by Right Networks. This service utilizes high-performance servers to ensure faster load times and minimal lag, allowing your salesperson to enter sales orders smoothly from anywhere – on the road, meeting clients, or at home. It also includes a 90-day rolling backup system stored in multiple locations, so your data is always protected.

Right Networks enables your salesperson to seamlessly access essential tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Chrome through their Deluxe subscription and supports any app via the QuickBooks web connector with the Core plan, significantly enhancing productivity. Check out more through this informative article: QuickBooks Desktop cloud hosting powered by Rightworks.

Lastly, on the topic of QBO, it’s fantastic that you’re considering a future transition! QuickBooks Online is continually evolving and might soon support the enhanced manufacturing functionalities you need. Currently, QuickBooks Online does support creating and managing sales orders. For more detailed information, you can check out this article: Create and manage sales orders in QuickBooks Online.

For future reference, here’s another valuable resource that can help streamline your customer transaction processes, making it easier to manage sales orders and related tasks within QBE: Get started with customer transaction workflows in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to return to the thread anytime if you need more assistance in optimizing your current systems. I’ll be glad to dive deeper into solutions to transform the way your salesperson handles sales orders on the road. Cheers!