Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) today announced the latest release of its QuickBooks® Software Development Kit (SDK). Version 3.0 of the QuickBooks SDK adds tools that enable third-party developers to implement workflow management between their applications and the 2004 line-up of QuickBooks financial management products. The enhanced SDK is part of the Intuit Developer Network, an unmatched network of solutions tailored to specific small business needs.
"The QuickBooks SDK is the gateway between our developers and QuickBooks," said Mark Bercow, vice president of the Intuit Developer Network. "But the real story is the collaboration that the SDK has made possible: a powerful alliance that now spans some 300 applications in more than 15 industries, with some 16,000 members. What started out as a good idea has now become-through the creative work of our developers-a mini-industry in its own right."
Over the last three years, the QuickBooks SDK has offered ever more sophisticated ways for developers to exchange data with QuickBooks. SDK v3.0 adds tools for event notification and user interface integration-the two other key components of workflow integration between applications.
"The SDK improvements are to developers what online banking is to QuickBooks users - integration that promotes a collaboration rather than a live data feed, said Dawn Scranton, CQA and IDN member, Accounting Directors. "The new event notification alerts are a significant improvement which promote integrity and tighter integration with QuickBooks."
New SDK Features in Detail:
- UI Integration with QuickBooks — An application can now control the QuickBooks user interface in a number of ways. It can add a menu item (with accompanying submenu items) to the QuickBooks UI, display reports inside QuickBooks, as well as display additional lists (customer, employee, other name, and vendor lists) and transactions (deposit, inventory adjustment, item receipt, and sales tax payment check).
- Event Notification — Applications can now be notified when data and user interface (UI) events occur within QuickBooks. Data events trigger when the QuickBooks user, or another integrated application, adds, modifies, or deletes data. UI events trigger when the user opens or closes the company file or selects a menu item.
- Custom Fields and Data Extensions — Custom fields can now be added and modified using the SDK. These fields are visible both from the application and from within QuickBooks. In addition, data extensions can automatically be added to new transactions in the original request message.
- Reports — The new release allows access to eight payroll reports if the application is accessing a company file that has a current subscription to Intuit's Do-It-Yourself payroll service. It also adds three new filters (Detail Status, Posting Status, and Modify Date) as well as two sales order reports.
- Expanded Data Access — Applications can now modify bills, statement charges, credit memos, estimates, and sales orders, in addition to the invoice and purchase order support added in SDK v2.1. Applications can also add, modify, and query customer credit card information, if the necessary permission is granted by the administrator.
Like previous versions, the new QuickBooks SDK can be downloaded for free. Developers can also register to receive, free of charge, the Developer Network Newsletter, access to the Developer Forum and unlimited access to the QuickBooks Technical Knowledge Base.
Intuit Developer Network Annual Conference and Membership Benefits
The 2003 IDN Conference will be held December 9-11, 2003 at the Fairmont San Jose. The conference will showcase interactive forums, hands-on innovation lab exhibits and several keynote addresses by industry luminaries, including Handspring co-founders Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins.
Intuit offers free tools and services as well as several fee-based programs as part of the Intuit Developer Network. These include early product access, technical support and eligibility for channel marketing programs, such as advertising in the QuickBooks Solutions Guide catalog and listing on QuickBooks Solutions Marketplace. The QuickBooks Solutions Marketplace (http://marketplace.intuit.com/) makes it easy for customers to find software designed especially for their industry that is integrated with QuickBooks. More than 300 applications, ranging from automotive and construction to real estate, manufacturing and transportation, are already available on the Solutions Marketplace.
For more information on how to join the Intuit Developer Network and to download the QuickBooks SDK v3.0, visit http://developer.intuit.com.
For more information about the new QuickBooks 2004 product line, please visit http://www.QuickBooks.com.
