Cloud Hosting and Managed IT Are Not the Same Thing
When CPA firms look for IT solutions, two names that frequently appear are Right Networks and Transform 42. On the surface, both “do IT for accountants.” In practice, they solve different problems and serve different needs.
Right Networks is an Intuit-owned cloud hosting platform that gives your team remote access to accounting applications. Transform 42 is a full-service managed IT provider that manages your firm’s entire technology environment. Understanding this distinction is critical to making the right decision for your practice.
Right Networks: What You Get
Right Networks hosts accounting applications in their cloud environment and provides virtual desktop access. Their platform is built around the Intuit ecosystem — Lacerte, QuickBooks Desktop, ProSeries — along with third-party applications like Drake and CCH Axcess.
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Right Networks strengths:
- Deep integration with Intuit products
- Reliable cloud hosting with strong uptime
- Anytime-anywhere access to hosted applications
- Automatic application updates and patching
- Built-in backup for hosted data
- Scalable user licensing for seasonal staff
What Right Networks does not cover:
- Your office network, switches, firewalls, and Wi-Fi
- Workstations, laptops, printers, and scanners
- Email security, phishing protection, and endpoint detection
- IRS WISP documentation for your specific firm
- SOC 2 compliance management (their environment is certified, but yours is not)
- Strategic technology planning and quarterly business reviews
- General helpdesk support for non-application issues
- On-site support when hardware fails
Transform 42: What You Get
Transform 42 is a full-service managed IT provider based in Miami that serves accounting firms, law firms, and medical practices. We manage the complete technology stack — not just hosted applications.
Transform 42 covers:
- 24/7 monitoring, helpdesk, and infrastructure management
- Cloud services and hosted application support
- All local hardware: workstations, printers, scanners, network equipment
- Full cybersecurity stack: EDR, email security, MFA, SIEM, security training
- SOC 2 compliance management for your firm
- IRS WISP documentation — created, maintained, and audited annually
- Busy season surge planning covering the entire infrastructure
- Strategic vCIO services: quarterly reviews, 3-year roadmap, budget forecasting
- On-site support in Miami when issues require physical presence
- Vendor management for all technology contracts
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Capability | Right Networks | Transform 42 |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-hosted accounting apps | ✅ Core product | ✅ Managed + partner options |
| Intuit product expertise | ✅ Intuit-owned | ✅ CCH, Drake, Lacerte, QBO |
| Virtual desktop access | ✅ Primary delivery | ✅ When appropriate |
| Local infrastructure support | ❌ | ✅ Full management |
| Helpdesk (all IT issues) | ⚠️ App-specific only | ✅ Everything |
| Cybersecurity (full stack) | ⚠️ Hosted env. only | ✅ Endpoint to cloud |
| SOC 2 for your firm | ❌ Their cert, not yours | ✅ Manages your compliance |
| IRS WISP | ❌ | ✅ Created and maintained |
| vCIO / strategic planning | ❌ | ✅ Quarterly reviews |
| On-site support | ❌ Remote only | ✅ Miami-based |
| Printer/scanner support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Vendor management | ❌ | ✅ All tech vendors |
The Total Cost of Ownership Question
The most common mistake firms make when comparing these options is looking only at the Right Networks monthly invoice. That number only covers cloud hosting. To get equivalent coverage, you need to add:
- A separate managed IT provider or break-fix technician for local infrastructure
- Separate cybersecurity tools and management
- Separate backup solution for local data
- Separate compliance consulting for SOC 2 and WISP
- Ad hoc consulting for technology strategy
When you total those costs, the “cheaper” option often costs the same or more — with the added complexity of managing multiple vendor relationships and the accountability gaps between them.
When Each Model Makes Sense
Right Networks works best for fully remote firms with no physical office, firms that already have strong internal IT capability, and practices that just need reliable application hosting with minimal local infrastructure.
Transform 42 works best for firms that need comprehensive IT management under one roof, practices with compliance requirements (SOC 2, WISP) that need documentation and oversight, firms in Miami that need on-site support capability, growing firms that need strategic technology planning alongside day-to-day operations, and any practice tired of managing multiple IT vendors who point fingers at each other when problems arise.
Making the Decision
Right Networks is a strong cloud hosting platform for accounting firms. If application hosting is the only gap in your technology infrastructure, it is a proven solution. But if you are looking for a complete technology partner — one provider who handles everything and takes accountability for your entire IT environment — that requires a different kind of firm.
Transform 42 is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that was built to be that partner for accounting firms, law firms, and medical practices in Miami and across Florida.
Request a free IT assessment to see which approach fits your firm’s needs and budget.
