As is often the case, when Intuit releases one maintenance update for a specific product line, they shortly thereafter release a corresponding maintenance update for one of the other product line versions that have proven to be experiencing the same issues, or are in need of the same fundamental 'fixes'. Accordingly, Intuit has issued Release 15 (R15) for the QuickBooks 2016 Desktop product line that essentially has the same updates as were released yesterday for the 2017 Desktop products in Release 11.
The following changes, improvements and fixes were included in this release for QuickBooks Pro 2016, QuickBooks Premier 2016, QuickBooks Accountant 2016 and QuickBooks Enterprise v16.0. Most noted in this release is a QuickBooks 'payments' related functionality in which each payments user must now have their own unique Intuit ID. The release also includes improved messaging and fixes for common Bank Feeds errors, and provides troubleshooting related to PDFs or printing errors. This update also includes a 'fix' related to a payroll problem where a paycheck gets stuck.
- Bank Feeds - Users experienced issues with dates not changing when they were edited within the Bank Feed window. This release reportedly fixes issues with Online Bill Payment dates not updating as expected when edited on the fly from within the Bank Feed window.
- Payments - In order to enhance payments related security this upgrade will restrict payments functionality to users that have their own unique Intuit ID so that the Administrator can more effectively enable or revoke access. Intuit has said that Intuit IDs were intended to represent 'an individual' and not 'a company or organization'. Some organizations will need to create individual authorized users who are responsible for payment processing.
- Errors (User Interface) - Some users have been confused by messages related to operational issues within QuickBooks. This release provides improved (more meaningful) messaging for selected errors intended to provide a clear call to action for customers.
- Forms & PDF - Users continue to experience issues when either creating a PDF from a transaction or printing. This release provides a new Troubleshoot button available to users encountering error messages when PDF/Print issues occur, the button will evoke running of the Print/PDF Repair Tool.
- Invoices (Accounts/Receivable) - Many users have experienced issues in which QuickBooks freezes up when they attempt to open an Invoice form (especially if there is history for the invoice or customer). This release reportedly provides improved stability of invoice forms and prevents freezing of QuickBooks on computers with Microsoft Outlook installed.
- Payroll - Users have reported Error: PS038 which prevented them from downloading the latest payroll. This release reportedly fixes the error cause which was a paycheck that got stock during online transmittal. This should prevent the PS038 'online to send' related error.
The release is available for 'manual download' from the QuickBooks Downloads and Updates website. It will start being pushed out over the 'automatic updates' downloads shortly.
For the most part these are 'fixes' to problems that have either been identified, or which have arisen in connection with other software or 3rd-party-component changes. If you have experienced any of these issues you may wish to update to this newest release version. If you haven't experienced any of these issues you may wish to hold-off to see if there are any issues that arise out of this maintenance update.