Sage Extended Enterprise For Sage MAS 90 and 200 Pricing Announced
May 14, 2008
The Extended Enterprise Solution for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 (formerly known as Project Diamond) was detailed for the first time this morning in an 8 am session at the Sage Software Insights 2008 conference in Washington DC.
This new package bundles many of the core MAS 90 and MAS 200 modules (listed below). What’s really news is that it also includes integration to SageCRM and Sage FAS (Fixed Assets). The package is offered at a fixed per user cost which is a break from Sage Software’s prior pricing strategy based on a per module cost.
The deadline for partners to be certified for this product is June 2009. Sage Software is offering free certification for partners who enroll prior to June 30, 2008 (you do not have to take the class — only enroll for it).
Phase one of this rollout is aimed for new customers. Sage indicates there will be some migration opportunities in the September 2008 timeframe. Pricing details for existing customers will NOT be available until September.
Sagepartnerportal.com Launches
May 13, 2008
As promised at the Sage Keynote, the SagePartnerPortal has launched.
The new Sage Partner portal promises to be a one stop location for Sage Business Partners to log in and manage their partner resources in one place. We’ll have more information after exploring this in a little more detailed.
Link: SagePartnerPortal.COM
Sage Software Keynotes Are Done
May 13, 2008
The Sage Software keynotes are wrapping up. The main message is that Sage Software continues to deliver and improve on their existing product line. This morning the Sage Extended Enterprise Suite for Sage MAS 90 and 200 and Sage ACCPAC was announced.
This new suite of products on the Sage MAS 90 site includes Sage MAS 90 , SageCRM and SageFAS. The different applications all integrate through a “one DVD” installation process and promise tighter and better integration with products than ever before.
In essence the message delivered was that Sage continues to listen and improve their products. There will be some fine tuning of partner programs to make them simpler.
New Sage Software USA CEO Sue Swenson made an impressively polished presentation on Monday. She introduced herself and though she has only been on the job 6 weeks has been traveling to all the remote Sage locations. It’s far too early to tell what impact Sue’s hiring will have on Sage but her background and stage presence impressed all the Business Partners I spoke with.
In essence the keynotes re-affirmed Sage’s commitment to improve. Not a lot of new product news.
Don’t Miss This Session: Leanne Lowe - Extended Solutions
May 13, 2008
Here’s are two great sessions for any of you who work in the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 product world and have dealt with Extended Solutions.
Don’t Miss These Sessions: Ed Kless & Rob Johnson
May 12, 2008
Here are two of my favorite Insight’s speakers that you MUST see. These guys use minimal Powerpoints, provide lots of useful business tips that you can take away and use. They’re both key instructors for many of the highly regarded Sage Bootcamps. Catching them at Insights is a great way to get a sense of what their Bootcamps are like. If you’re looking for no BS sessions that teach you practical tools to build your business, then these are THE two guys to follow around. Keep reading for a complete list of every session they are teaching at Insights.
Win My Insights 2008 Swag - Wednesday 5/14/08
May 12, 2008
I’m accumulating a lot of free stuff here at Insights 2008. I’m not keeping any of it - including the sized medium (never worn or taken out of the plastic) Sage Polo shirt.
If you’re the first to find me me at Insights on Wednesday 5/14/08 and tell me what my favorite Insights session was (I’ll announce it via my Twitter updates) - then I’ll give you all my SWAG (free stuff I’ve accumulated during the conference).
PS - Nobody in my SageResellers group is eligible, sorry.
I presently have:
- Sized Medium Sage Shirt (unwrapped)
- Sage Software duffle
- Job Ops portfolio pad
- Citrix network cable extender (get’s my vote for coolest giveaway)
Watch the Twitter feed to know when to claim the free Swag.
Link: Insights 2008 Twitter Updates
Follow The Latest Insights 2008 Unofficial News & Tips via Twitter - Free
May 12, 2008
Click here to read the latest Insights 2008 Twitter Updates
Sage Software’s annual reseller conference is large. Someone told me that they expect 5,000 people this year. With those kinds of crowds it is tough to see every technical session that you want. Much of the information that you gather at Insights comes from meeting and talking with other consultants who share their impressions and the highlights of sessions that they’ve attended.
Take The Metro To Insights - Save A Tree and $25!
May 12, 2008
Click Here For A Full Sized Metro Map.
If you haven’t left for Insights 2008 at the Gaylord National in Washington DC yet, here’s a way for you to make it from the DC Ronald Reagan airport to the Gaylord National for a little over $3 (regular cab fare is $23 one way).
First, I took the train/bus here — grand total of about $4 — the cheapest that I have EVER paid to get from the airport to a convention.
To use the DC mass transit, you will need to take two trains (about 20 minutes each) plus one bus (about 20 minutes). The bus drops you directly in front of the Gaylord Hotel. Washington DC traffic is such that mass transit is probably faster than Super Shuttle or a Cab (it’s also significantly cheaper).
HERE’S HOW TO DO IT:
From inside the Ronald Reagan Airport near the luggage pickup, follow signs to METRO.
Get on the YELLOW line headed toward Fort Totten via Convention Center
In the lobby of the METRO (BEFORE you go into the train area) buy your fare card. I bought $20 because I am planning on doing some sightseeing.
Get the plastic card which is refillable — I think it is called SMARTCARD — because you can use that card on the bus. You can also add more money to them. I believe there is a small charge of about $5 to purchase the card then whatever you put onto it for value (it operates as a pre-paid Metro card)
Go up the LEFT Escalator to the YELLOW line headed to Fort Totten / Convention Center
Take the YELLOW train headed to Totten/Convention Center. You don’t have to worry about which yellow — so long as it’s headed in the right direction it will stop. In DC all the trains are identified by the station where they terminate.
Get off at L’ENFANT plaza.(about a 20 minute ride)
At L’ENFANT you need to cross over to the other side of the tracks – so go up the stairs and walk over the tracks and come down so you’re on the other side.
Get on the GREEN line headed to BRANCH AVE. (again, this train will be identified by color and final destination - Branch Ave)
Get off at SOUTHERN AVE METRO - this is the station where you are going to pick up the bus.
AFTER YOU COME UP THE STAIRS FROM THE PLATFORM, LOOK TO YOUR LEFT AND THERE WILL BE A BUS TRANSFER DISPENSER WHICH WILL GIVE YOU A FREE TRANSFER. PRINT A TRANSFER (ONE FOR EVERYONE TRAVELLING) AND GIVE IT TO THE DRIVER ALONG WITH .45 CENTS (if you don’t print the transfer the bus fare is $1.35).
Walk out to the bus area (you want to exit out the left and make a right — walk down to the bus shelter with NH-1 printed on it.
Get on the NH-1 Bus (if you took a free transfer ticket from in the station the fare is .45 — if not the fare was about $1.35 - exact change). When you get on the bus take the ticket from the driver. This is a transfer (again) and lets you get back on the bus for free anytime within 2 hours!
The NH-1 bus drops you directly in front of the Gaylord (no lengthy driveway to walk)
Washington DC traffic is awful — so even if you get a cab or shuttle there probably is some amount of waiting time that you will have to put up with. I lugged a large suitcase with me without any problems.
Wayne Schulz - Insights 2008
Link: Washingtond DC Metro Map and Information
Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.30 Feature Sheet
May 12, 2008
Here’s the latest PDF from Sage which spotlights the new features and enhancements to the yet to be released Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.30.
Expected to ship in the second half of 2008, this release incorporates the popular Paperless Office software into Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200. With Paperless Office you no longer have to print journals and registers to your printer. Instead these documents are saved as PDF files on your computer. Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 provides security for these PDF files so that only those with the proper security can access them for later viewing or printing.
Link: Sage MAS 90 & MAS 200 v4.30 What’s New
Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 V4.3 Pre-Release Guide
May 12, 2008
Here’s the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.30 detailed pre-release guide. This PDF provides extensive descriptions and screen shots of the new features expected to be included when version 4.3 ships in the second half of 2008.
This guide first appeared in March 2008 and appears to match the features which continue to be demonstrated in version v4.30. Further information on shipping dates is expected during the Insights 2008 Conference May 12 to 15, 2008 in Washington DC.
