Drake Hosting on a Cloud Desktop

1. What is Drake cloud hosting and how does it work?

Drake cloud hosting means your Drake Tax or Drake Accounting software runs on secure remote servers instead of a local computer. You can access it from any internet-connected device — PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone — with the same experience as a desktop installation. Server maintenance, security, backups, and updates are handled by the provider, and only a standard remote desktop client is required.

2. Who is Drake cloud hosting suitable for?

Drake cloud hosting is suitable for solo CPAs, independent tax preparers, multi-user accounting firms, seasonal tax professionals, and large enterprises. It enables remote work, centralized access, flexible billing, and scalable infrastructure depending on business needs.

3. Why move Drake to the cloud if my desktop version is working fine?

While desktop installations work well, cloud hosting provides added flexibility and reliability. It allows access from any location, protects against hardware failures, ensures automatic backups, and enables quick user scalability without additional hardware investments.

4. Does hosted Drake work exactly like the desktop version?

Yes, hosted Drake functions exactly like the desktop version. The interface, features, workflows, and integrations remain unchanged. Users can continue working without any learning curve, and local devices like printers and scanners remain accessible.

5. What devices can I use to access hosted Drake?

Hosted Drake can be accessed from Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Linux systems, as well as iOS and Android devices. A remote desktop client and internet connection are all that is required to connect from anywhere.

6. Which Drake versions and applications are supported?

All Drake applications, including Drake Tax, Drake Accounting, and Drake Documents, are supported across current versions such as 2023, 2024, and 2025. Multiple tax years can be used simultaneously within the same cloud environment.

7. Can I use Drake alongside QuickBooks or other accounting apps on the same cloud?

Yes, cloud desktops support multiple Windows-based applications. Drake can run alongside accounting software such as QuickBooks, Sage, and other tools, allowing users to work within a single integrated environment.

8. Does Drake hosting help with FTC Safeguards Rule compliance?

Cloud hosting supports compliance requirements by providing encryption, access controls, multi-factor authentication, and data backups. These features align with FTC Safeguards Rule requirements and help strengthen overall data security practices.

9. Is multi-factor authentication (MFA) supported?

Yes, multi-factor authentication is available and adds an additional layer of security through verification methods such as authentication apps or one-time codes.

10. How secure is client tax data on the cloud?

Data is protected through multiple security layers including encryption, firewalls, antivirus protection, and secure data centers with restricted physical access. Regular backups ensure data can be restored if needed.

11. How many days of backup are retained?

Daily backups are maintained with a standard retention period of 30 days. Extended backup options may be available based on business requirements.

12. Who owns the data and what happens if I cancel?

Users retain full ownership of their data. Upon cancellation, a grace period is provided to download and archive data before removal.

13. Can multiple users access Drake simultaneously?

Yes, multiple users can access the environment at the same time, each with their own session while sharing common data storage. User permissions can be managed as needed.

14. Is there a long-term contract?

Plans are typically offered on a flexible monthly basis, allowing users to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel as required without long-term commitments.

15. What is included in the monthly pricing?

Pricing generally includes cloud infrastructure, storage, backups, security features, and technical support. Additional services or applications may be available as optional add-ons.

16. Do I need to bring my own Drake license?

Yes, users typically need to purchase a Drake license separately, which can then be installed and configured in the cloud environment.

17. How long does setup take?

Setup is usually completed within a few hours for new environments. Data migration or custom configurations may take one to two business days.

18. How do I migrate existing Drake data?

Migration involves backing up existing data, transferring it to the cloud environment, and restoring it. The process is straightforward and typically completed within one business day.

19. Who handles support?

Support responsibilities are divided between hosting providers for infrastructure-related issues and software vendors for application-specific concerns.

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