Product Support

What is QuickBooks RDS (Remote Data Sharing) and Why Do I Need It?

QuickBooks RDS (Remote Data Sharing) is software that is included with your ALLDATA® ManageSM subscription.

  • QuickBooks RDS allows ALLDATA Manage to communicate with QuickBooks across the networked computers in your shop, typically through a local area network (LAN).

  • QuickBooks RDS contains two parts:

    • RDS server software that is installed on the computer that runs QuickBooks.

    • RDS client software that is installed on the computers that do NOT run QuickBooks.

      • The RDS server and client software work together to allow you to to access QuickBooks company files over your shop's computer network, typically a local area network (LAN).

      • The RDS server must be installed first and running before the RDS client will work.

  • QuickBooks RDS is a program designed by Intuit and cannot be changed or modified by ALLDATA.

    • Intuit does not support RDS or the network communication between ALLDATA Manage and QuickBooks.

Notes:

  • The RDS client is only needed if the ALLDATA Manage client PC is going to cashier and post tickets.

    • An error message will occur if an attempt to cashier or post is made on a client PC that does not have RDS installed properly.

  • You do NOT need to run the RDS client software for your integrated Quickbooks application to work.

    • Just start Quickbooks on the server computer and the RDS client runs behind-the-scenes to do its work.

  • The only times you specifically need to run the RDS client program are:

    • To set up the initial connection for an ALLDATA Manage client PC to communicate with QuickBooks

    • To change certain server settings.

    • Revoke QuickBooks-access authorization for one or more integrated applications.

    • Change the way application certificates are checked.

  • To start the RDS client program, go to the Windows Start menu >> Start >> Programs >> QuickBooks >> Remote Data Sharing Client.

    • The RDS client computer will display:

      • The application list.

      • The name of the server computer (that is running the RDS server that the RDS client is connected to)

      • The server port used by that RDS server.

    • You can remove applications from the application list or edit the properties of selected applications.

      • Note: Removed applications will need to be reauthorized or re-registered the next time they are started.

    • You can change the RDS server settings by clicking Change Settings..

      • Changing settings this way does not change the settings at the RDS server itself, but simply updates the RDS client so that it communicates with the proper computer and port used by the RDS server.

    • The checkbox under the application list lets you specify whether the user gets informed about the expiration of an application's certificate (if it has a certificate).