IRIS Software announces next generation IRIS Hosting service on Microsoft Azure
London, UK, 25 June 2020: IRIS Software Group, the UK’s largest provider of accountancy software, is today announcing its next generation IRIS Hosting service, which utilises the Microsoft Azure platform to enable accountants to meet the demands of the next normal.
According to the latest figures, while only 1.7 million people in the UK worked from home pre-pandemic, an estimated 20 million people have relocated to working from home since the start of lockdown measures. This has posed significant challenges for accountancy firms, with many still heavily reliant on being physically present in offices to service clients.
IRIS has a strong history of delivering hosting services to IRIS and non-IRIS accountants in the UK (over 800 customers and 8,000 users), and over the past six months has worked with Microsoft to improve on its market leading service. The evolution of IRIS’ state-of-the-art hosting services will enable firms to host a wide variety of Windows-based solutions and any accountancy applications, regardless of vendor. These will be delivered as Windows Virtual Desktop on Microsoft Azure, an evolution of the Remote Desktop Services customers currently enjoy. This will enable accountants to access all essential files and accounting software from any compatible device, in any location around the globe, at any time.
IRIS Hosting on Microsoft Azure will empower accountants to go beyond the reactive measures put in place to support clients through the COVID-19 crisis. With 24/7 secure remote access to the entire firm, and access to a dedicated customer support line, accountants will be able to work in ways never considered pre-pandemic, such as client-side and spread across different locations as a team.
Users of the new IRIS Hosting on Microsoft Azure will receive the same world-class support as existing IRIS Hosting customers, as well as the ability to house all their business applications (whether they are IRIS or not) in one single hosted environment.
This next iteration of IRIS Hosting will bring even further enhanced security to firms in comparison to other legacy hosting services; benefiting from Microsoft’s Cyber Defence Operations Centre which brings together world-class cybersecurity specialists and data scientists in a 24/7 facility to combat cyber threats in real-time.
Users will also benefit from a more familiar and integrated user interface, based on Windows 10, and gain a single point of access to Microsoft Office 365; including OneDrive and Microsoft Teams for audio and video conferencing. Those who have IRIS Hosting with Microsoft 365 will have 1TB of Microsoft OneDrive Storage, each providing true integration between Windows Virtual Desktop and Office 365.
David Lockie, COO of IRIS Software Group comments, “Accountancy firms are now in danger of potentially limiting their business growth if they do not move beyond the initial reactive measures put in place to maintain business continuity during the COVID-19 crisis. Put simply, traditional methods of working are no longer fit for purpose. Client behaviours have changed during lockdown – many now expect greater advisory services from their accountants and need real-time insights to inform decision making in the fast-changing business landscape.
“IRIS Hosting on Microsoft Azure enables firms to adapt to these new ways of working. This next evolution in our best-of-class hosting services will enable firms to thrive in the next normal. With significantly increased availability, scalability, usability, and security, we firmly believe this flexible technology infrastructure will dramatically increase the ability to support clients and open up new service lines.”
Over the coming months, IRIS will be working with its largest Hosting customers to migrate them to this new Azure platform. For other UK accountants, whether they are an existing IRIS Hosting customer or new to IRIS, can register to join the IRIS Hosting on Azure programme where IRIS can provide them with a personal service to discuss the right onboarding journey for them.
Media enquires
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Lawton | IRIS@octopusgrp.com | 07539 713 763
About IRIS Software Group
IRIS Software Group is the UK’s largest privately held software company. It exists to simplify the lives of professionals working in businesses and schools, by providing software solutions and services that substantially enhance operational compliance, productivity and engagement, so customers can look forward with certainty and confidence.
Over 18% of UK employees are paid by IRIS payroll solutions; 650,000 UK SMEs use IRIS cloud applications. 4 million parents and guardians use IRIS apps to connect with their school, and the business processes over £15m transactional payments every month. More than 850,000 UK employees are managed by an IRIS HR solution. IRIS Software Group is placed in the Grant Thornton Sunday Times Top Track 250, the Megabuyte50 and is sixth on the Southern Tech 100 list.
To see how we help organisations get things right today and look forward with confidence, visit www.iris.co.uk or following IRIS Software Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
