FRX Support Plans – FAQ
May 28, 2009
Not what you're looking for? Check out Schulz Consulting Prior MAS90 News Post Archives or send me an email. Thanks for visiting!
Microsoft have announced that on 12/31/2010 their FRX Financial Report Writer will no longer be sold to those requiring a new license.
As of 12/31/2012 all Microsoft official support will terminate.
These are the latest dates that we have regarding the future of FRX support and availability. Since we expect some vendors to “self support” the report writer (including possibly Sage) you should check with your financial software supplier to see what their plans are for the product.
FRX Support Options – Post 2012
The question that we’ve been asked more frequently by both Sage and non-Sage users of FRX is what will happen after 2012. Will the FRX software stop working or are there alternate means by which users who are happy with their financial reporting can obtain support?
We provide support for FRX via our unlimited phone agreement (copy here). Other consultants will likely offer the same thing. When we spoke with Sage they were leaning toward (but not committing to supporting the FRX program beyond the 2012 end of life date).
You should consider that FRX (at least on the Sage MAS 90 level) has not been significantly upgraded since the last MAS 90 level service pack for FRX was issued dated December 2008 (Service Pack 10 for FRX v6.7).
Your Options
A. Self Support
Using internal resources, maintain your own help desk to answer user questions. If you’re already at this level then you probably are already also self-supporting. Remember that no new FRX modules/licenses will be sold after 2010.
B. Vendor Support
We think (though we’re not 100% sure yet) that you’ll see vendors like Sage (and others) offering to carry on the support for FRX during the period of time that they announce a transition to an as-yet unnamed financial report writer.
C. Use Third Party Support
Given that FRX has not had the need for a program patch since December 2008, you’re reasonably safe to continue using the program for at least the immediate future. Your main risk factor will likely be an incompatibility between FRX and a future operating system. However you’d likely know of such incompatibility months or years ahead of the time that you decided to upgrade operating systems.
Conclusion
Most consultants (including the ones you use to maintain your current financial software should be able to support you for the next few years. It would be prudent to begin the process of migrating your financial reporting to a new program just a soon as your vendor announces one.
Prior to 2010 you should plan to acquire any essential programs that you may need from FRX. If you need to acquire more licenses or remote you’ll need to do that before 12/2010.
Sleeter Group QuickBooks Conference November 9-12 Registration Open
May 28, 2009
If QuickBooks Consulting is your forte – then be sure you register for the Sleeter Group’s annual conference (November 9-12, 2009 in Florida) which has just started early registration.
I attended the conference last year and found it to be extremely helpful in learning more about a product that we compete often against.
You may ask why we would attend a QuickBooks conference for a product that we don’t represent
The answer is simple. No one product can offer a solution that fits every business. Where our solution isn’t the right fit – we often (and regularly) recommend other possible solutions for our prospective clients to investigate. Having a good solid knowledge of the marketplace is what sets Schulz Consulting (in our humble opinion) apart from competitors who might be focussed on only moving boxes of software.
Three Days of Intense QuickBooks Training and Networking
The Sleeter Conference features multiple tracks of QuickBooks learning sessions which are offered on a variety of topics including report writing, add-ons, upgrades, new features, etc.
Each day begins with a keynote address that sets the stage for the day’s events. Intuit addresses the group and can be expected to give a road map and overall discussion about the newer features coming in any expected upgrades.
What I liked the best about the conference was not the Intuit keynotes but rather the impromptu demonstrations given by the technical support managers from Intuit. These informal demos contained loads of information, were totally live, totally interactive and didn’t contain one boring Powerpoint!
Doug Sleeter and his group also offer a great collection of training materials and users guides that any QuickBooks consultant will find helpful.
Highly recommend.
Links:
QuickBooks Consulting Conference
QuickBooks Training Guides and Manuals
Sleeter Group Educational Guides
Sleeter Group Web Site
Sage Summit Customer Conference is November 9-12, 2009 Atlanta GA
May 27, 2009
The annual Sage Summit Customer Conference is coming to Atlanta in November 2009. Registration opens in July and if you’re looking to interact with other users of Sage products, discuss the future development direction of your software as well as speak directly to Sage top management – then this is the event to attend.
We’ve heard positive feedback from those who attended the last two Summit Conferences. The educational sessions were well received and our customers who attended did not feel as if there was a constant sales pitch.
One of the positive things about Sage conferences is that the executives who are in charge of the various product lines are very accessible for discussions and welcome your feedback on what you’d like to see improved in the software.
Palm Pre User Guide Online
May 27, 2009
The Palm Pre User Guide has been posted online for those who just can’t wait for the official release on June 6, 2009.
It’s a transformer toy, no it’s a hub, wait – it’s a PC
May 27, 2009
It seems like every day there’s a new USB hub masquerading as something else. Just the other day we had the heart shaped chocolate cake 4 Port USB hub. Today it’s the transformer type toy that folds into make a mini Windows XP computer that contains a 4-Port USB Hub. The site offering this gizmo appears to be in Japanese and the most I can make out is that it seems this is destined for a September 2009 release and will operate on Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista and Mac.
Transformer USB via FF
Sage insiders share secret to debugging pesky MAS 90 and MAS 200 system level errors
May 26, 2009
Over the last week New Jersey Sage MAS 90 and SAP Business One consultant Mark Chinsky forwarded a cool (free) utility that I’d like to share.
Mark’s original message stated that he uses FileMon for Windows by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell to see files that are being used by MAS 200. This real time utility is a powerful diagnostic tools for tracking down any number of issues including – hung files, system slowdowns, etc.
Using the program you can easily view precisely when each and ever file is opened, read, written or deleted.
Filters are available to keep the information reporting to a minimum and ensure you only see details that are relevant to your situation.
Former Sage Technical Support Wizard (that wasn’t his official title) Alnoor Cassim chimes in with the inside view of what he has used this handy utility for:
Right on! All the SysInternals tools from Mark Russinovich (all now part
of MS Technet) have been life savers when troubleshooting MAS 90/200.
I’m a major net promoter of these tools. I’d like to share a few ways
it’s helped me.
* Used Filemon to find ACCESS DENIED errors upon startup of MAS when the
Launcher was loading -> User didn’t have permission to rename some files
on their local machine upon startup
* Used Regmon to find ACCESS DENIED errors -> Led to positive proof of a
user registry permission problem for which IT guy of client insisted was
a MAS problem.
* Used Regmon to find ACCESS DENIED errors -> Led to discovery of a COM
failure bug in the MAS 4.0x Launcher, which was requiring Write access
to protected areas of the registry.
* Used psKill to kill orphaned pvxwin32.exe tasks on the MAS 200 server
that Task Manager could not terminate and so server didn’t have to be
rebooted
* Used Process Monitor to find bug in FAS 2008 uninstaller on an EES
implementation, that prevented FAS 2009 from being installed.
Today, Process Monitor is the tool that replaces Filemon and Regmon and
has a better UI.
I’ll stop there but I highly recommend these tools for the tech person
in the MAS consultant’s organization and of course to the clients’ IT
staff.
Scanco Automation Series for Sage MAS 90 and 200
May 21, 2009
We just received this brief (one minute) video from Scanco that gives a broad overview of their Automation Series (lots of people pointing scanners but not a lot of detail on how it works).
One thing that’s mentioned in the video is that use of expensive Sage MAS 90 or 200 licenses is not required so they’re probably using some type of Web Server similar to how Hightower operates their Remote Timekeeper. If I’m wrong about the technology I’m sure someone from Scanco will set me straight and I’ll update the post.
Pricing on this per the mailing is “about $5,000″. For more information visit Scanco Automation Series.
Hightower Time and Billing Promos – expiring June 30 2009
May 21, 2009
Need Time and Billing for your Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200? The most viable solution is from a company called Hightower who have been marketing their Time and Billing Professional and TimeKeeper software for as long as I can remember.
They ran a limited time promotion for users who purchased at Insights 2009. Looks like this has been extended through June 30.
- 25% off new enhancement purchases
- Buy Time and Billing and get TimeKeeper 50% off
- Buy TimeKeeper and get 20 device licenses free (much cheaper than MAS licenses)
- Premier Plan $995 (normally $1,200) includes new and upgrades from value plans.
Interested? Sit with your Sage Business Partner and tell them Wayne Schulz say’s call Patti Benitez at Hightower who is the representative that can set this all up.
How to setup Hightower’s TimeKeeper using ProvideX Web Server to run as a service
May 20, 2009
I had a client purchase Hightower Timekeeper plus their remote timekeeping solution. The client intends to use the Timekeeper software to track time for 40 members of their staff as they work on different client matters throughout the day. At the end of the reporting period they’ll generate reports from the system that provide an accurate breakout of where the employee’s have spent their time. This makes allocations (and billing back expenses) much easier and more accurate than their old method which was basically to estimate.
One of the best things about Hightower Timekeeper is the remote solution. The setup is a snap and within 30 minutes we were able to log in on the client’s network and run a Timekeeper data entry screen via the web. All data entered is updated in real time to the Timekeeper module.
The licenses for Remote Timekeeper are cheaper ($40 ea) than regular Sage MAS 90 licenses so this is a much more economical way to gather time via the web.
The one piece of the puzzle that we had to give some thought to was how to setup the Web Server so that it ran as a service. We wanted to run the server software as a service so that a user would not have to remain logged in and so that in the event of a server reboot we could be assured that the server would startup unattended.
There are two components to this. The first is the PxPlus interpreter which by default configures itself to run as a service.
Setting up the ProvideX Web Server to run as a service
Here’s the information about running ProvideX web server as a service:
Open the PVX PLUS command prompt and paste in the code from here:
http://manual.pvxplus.com/appendix/webserver_service.htm
Had to remove the “CONTROL” from the last line to get it to work on windows 2000. That installs the service, worked perfectly.
Just as an FYI – here’s the pricing on Timekeeper:
HighTower Library Master – $395
TimeKeeper – $2995
35 Device Licenses – $1400 (obviously you only purchase what you need here)
Client Care – $850 (software upgrades)
Tip: Sage MAS 90 Extended Enterprise Suite License Keys Do NOT Work With a Regular MAS 90 Install Disk
May 19, 2009
I made a silly assumption this morning.
I assumed that my client, who is an existing user of Sage MAS 90, could upgrade (add a new module) fairly quickly by using their newly acquired Extended Enterprise Suite (aka – EES) license keys with my old MAS 90 v4.3 product disk.
By way of background, my client is a long time user of Sage MAS 90. They were looking to add a few modules that they didn’t already own when I pointed out to them that they could probably save some money by upgrading to Sage EES which would contain all those modules as well as provide them with SageCRM and FAS (1,500 asset limit) for future use. The price on this upgrade was less than if they went and licensed the applications that they were thinking of purchasing.
Here’s a list of the modules included with EES (as well as some of my frequently asked questions)
http://www.s-consult.com/mas90-pricing/sage-extended-enterprise-suite-mas90-and-mas200-faq/
What I Learned
My first thought was that I would simply use the license keys that come with Sage EES with my regular MAS 90 v4.30 disk.
WRONG.
- The Sage EES for MAS 90 keys don’t work with your regular Sage MAS 90 product disk.
- Instead what you must do to install and use the new Sage MAS90 EES is do an ERP Server installation.
- Install Sage EES – ERP Server to a new location
- Migrate data to the new location (you CANNOT install over your old MAS 90)
- Load Service Updates and any Extended Solutions
- Verify any of the paths in your MAS 90 (ie Paperless Office) that may point to the old directory and consider changing them
- FRX did not need a “path” updated because I was running to standard SOTAMAS90 ODBC driver which is self-configured by the install
- Run workstation setup on each and every desktop so the client points to the new Sage MAS 90 EES
- If you’re going to leave the old MAS 90 on the server for a short while so that you can make sure everything is running properly with the EES installation, then consider renaming pvxwin32.exe on the OLD installation (located in /mas90/soa) to PVXWIN32.OLD. This keeps people who may have an old version of the MAS 90 client on their desktop from accidentally going into the older version and entering transactions.
PS - It took about 4 hours for me to update 5 users which included removing and re-adding workstation setup (about 15-20 minutes per desktop). This time also includes your normal “wait” time as well as the general discovery that I was not able to use my new EES keys on the general MAS 90 disk — and instead had to do an EES upgrade.
PPS - So far as I could see there was no data conversion required and I was able to load just the ERP Server (no CRM) and everything ran find on the desktops (obviously this client is not yet trying to run FAS or SageCRM or they certainly would have experienced issues trying to access those apps)
Act! Mobile Live (beta) unveiled at Sage Insights 2009
May 14, 2009
CompanionLink Software has an interesting post on a demonstration of Act! Mobile Live (beta) at Insights 2009. ACT! Mobile Live is a mobile service for ACT! that lets you do away with synchronization cables. Using ACT! Mobile Live a user can wirelessly synchronize Act! data with a number of different mobile devices.
Items of note from their post:
- Supports iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian)
- Does NOT support Android or Palm Pre (which is not yet released)
- Recommended to sync 1000 or fewer records
DSD Business Systems SQL Mirroring YouTube Demo
May 13, 2009
Would you like to have the advantage of the significant performance improvement offered by SQL data tables? Well you can with an enhancement for Sage MAS 90 or 200 that mirrors your data tables into SQL in real time.
SQL Mirroring for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 product that DSD Business Systems has offered for the past few years that they were demonstrating at Insights 2009.
From DSD Business Systems’ Product Page:
SQL Mirroring allows a user (version 4.05 to 4.30) to choose which Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 Data files to be mirrored directly into a SQL Database in “Real Time” . This means as the records are added, updated, or removed from the native Providex Database, a live record will be mirrored to your chosen SQL Database.The user may use Crystal reports to report directly from the SQL database.
For Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 Form Printing, if the module is a “Business Framework” module, then the Crystal Work Files are mirrored to SQL automatically.
NOTE: The SQL Mirroring product only writes, removes, and updates the SQL Database, but doesn’t read from it. Therefore, if you use another application to write to the SQL Database, those changes will NOT be reflected back into MAS90.
We’ve used this at a client who mirrored some large MAS 90 tables and the setup was easy (about 30 minutes tops) and once running the process is seamless with the tables mirroring in the background with no intervention on the users part.
Naturally reporting off the SQL tables is lightning fast and as noted in the product description any of the framework modules can have their Crystal Reports take advantage of SQL Mirroring.
Link – DSD Business Systems SQL Mirroring for Sage MAS 90 and 200
bMobile web enables MAS 90 and MAS 200
May 13, 2009
Blytheco is demonstrating their bMobile suite which uses PVXPLUS technology to translate MAS 90 or MAS 200 screens to html which are then easily rendered on web browers (Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari).
bMobile takes MAS 90 panels and converts them into Dynamic HTML (DHTML) and uses AJAX based technology to create a user interface which can be easily used via a web browser. Another interesting use for the program might be to make use of low cost netbook computers in the field. These netbooks are typically extremely inexpensive and offer just enough power to run a web browser.
Expect availability in the second half of 2009 late summer with pricing starting at $5,000 for up to 5 users.
link: bMobile
MAS 90 and MAS 200 – The Road Ahead (Notes from Insights 2009 Session)
May 13, 2009
These are raw unadulterated notes I just received from Robert Wood of DDF Consulting who is a Sage Business Partner and MAS 90 consultant from Starke Florida which summarize the popular “Road Ahead” session given yesterday at Sage’s Insights 2009 Business Partner Conference in Nashville.
I may have missed something or misinterpreted something. Since I’m typing this pretty late, I may have mistyped something.
Wayne Note: References to Erika and Roberta are for Erika Jelovsek and Roberta Vigil of Sage who while they may have held different titles through the years have always been there patiently answering the annoying questions of Business Partners like Robert and me. A great amount of thanks goes to Erika and Roberta for putting up with us answering questions like these which I’m sure they are asked thousands of times during the course of Insights.
IMPORTANT:
The information below is preliminary and based on expected features for product(s) that have yet to ship. Therefore all timelines and features are preliminary and tentative — and subject to change without notice.
Use this information as a guideline and not an authoritative list of features. The summarized information is believed accurate but if we’ve missed something or stated it wrong – blame Schulz Consulting – and not Sage – as this is our summary of the session.
Changes in MAS 90/200 4.4:
Customer number will be 20 characters. For existing users there is a setting to convert from seven characters, but once that setting is changed, there is no going back.
All new implementations will have 20 character customer numbers. This is in addition to the two digit division.
Item numbers will be 30 characters. Same deal as customer numbers (once changed there’s no going back). Existing users can choose to move up. New implementations will be 30 characters.
Inventory transactions can now go up to four decimal places to match work orders. If you use the decimal places you no longer lose digits to the left of the decimal. This setting will be in Common Information. Also, CI_Item will be the item table whether inventory items, miscellaneous items, or saved comments.
MAS 90/200 4.4 will be the completion of the Framework.
What will happen to unconverted modules like payroll, work orders, and job cost? Sage is not sure yet. There was some discussion of “replacing” job cost with either a project accounting module or adding project accounting functionality to the core in some form.
WAYNE: I heard the same feedback from walking the trade show floor and talking to developers. In the product planning session for Sage MAS 90 and 200 I was left with the impression that Sage is not indicating that the remaining modules will NEVER be updated to the framework but rather the timeline is undetermined.
The Payroll modules seems like a slam dunk to upgrade since Sage indicated 50% (or slightly more) fo all Sage MAS 90 implementations use Payroll. The issue with a Payroll upgrade (both from stated reasons and behind the scenes chatter) is that it’s complex and the code being updated is from many years ago.
Several other changes with 4.4 are the addition of web services (more on that below), customizer enhancements (also more below), and parallel migrations. Not in the road ahead, but in the 4.4 preview session immediately afterward, Roberta Vigil demonstrated the parallel migration functionality. It’s basically the same steps we went through when converting from 3.71 to 4.x. The wizards all look the same. The logic is the same.
It (version 4.4) is scheduled to be released Q1 of 2010. (This is new release information as the prior date was Q4 2009).
Customizer enhancements:
They are adding scripting functionality to specific MAS 90/200 events that no longer require user interactions (no buttons).
You can establish validations on any column and works with the user interface, visual integrator, the business objects, and presumably the new web services.
You will be able to automatically total detail numeric UDFs to the header object and create cumulative calculations on multiple records and save to table or UDT during update. Example given was if you are totaling quantity sold by salesperson, you could have them update to a UDT or to a UDF in the salesperson table when the invoices are updated.
Going forward all VB scripting customizations will survive upgrades.
Small Business Edition will include Payroll as an option and Sage SPS Credit Card will be provided at no charge.
What are web services? Web services are the Business Objects optimized for use with the web. The demonstration was a website developed by ISM Barsa for Moonstruck Chocolatier (thanks Moonstruck for the free samples. No I’m not sharing.). It’s not online yet. The rep from ISM Barsa said the most difficult part of implementing the web services elements of the new website was ripping out the existing Business Objects code so they could implement with the new web services.
WAYNE: The go to person for web services is Angela Goldsmith of ISM Barsa – angela@goism.com – LinkedIn – ISM Barsa Web Site. I spoke to Angela several times about the web services and her company is providing some assistance to get this all running.
The first phase of web services will include Sales Orders, Contacts, Customers, and Credit Cards. Phase II will include Inventory Items and more. Again the stated purpose was to optimize the Business Objects for the next generation of e-commerce.
Stated benefits of web services: scalability and separate front end from back end. My interpretation was they were further splitting up the programming of the MAS 90/200 interface from the data layer for use in third party applications.
Challenges for implementing web services: knowledge for back end development and data mapping in and out is complex.
The Business Object interface was not designed for direct over the net communication and Web Services is designed for direct over the net communication.
WAYNE: My interpretation of the Web Services is that they’re cool new extensions for linking to third party shopping carts. In the product planning session for Sage MAS 90 and 200 I was left with the impression that while eBusiness will remain for the foreseeable future that these Web Services may become the “going forward” primary e-Business connection.
On the front page to MAS 90/200 Sage is adding links to the new Sage MAS Community forum and to their new hosted feedback solution, Ideascope. When you submit an enhancement request from Ideascope it will try to match your recommendation up with existing recommendations and allow you to say that your request matches one that already exists and add your vote to the tally or you can add yours as a new request. With the link to Ideascope on the front page in MAS 90/200 and not having to log into a website to make requests, it should make it easier for customers to submit their suggestions. Ideascope will be available soon. Erika did not give a date.
Applianz appears to be Sage’s solution for SAAS/Cloud Computing. Applianz appliances are currently available and supported by Sage for MAS 90/200 and MAS 500. EES should be supported with version 1.3 which is supposed to be available this summer. The holdup is apparently an issue with SageCRM’s incompatibility with Terminal Services, which is supposed to be corrected with version 1.3.
WAYNE: John Shaver – LinkedIn – Twitter – @john_shaver – over at Aries Technology Group goes through a local hosting company for those clients who don’t want to setup Sage MAS 90 on their servers. He likes this due to the benefits of having the software securely hosted off-site.
Other attendees discussed a standalone web enabled server such as Applianz which is another solution that allows for some remote configuration and might be thought of as “Sage MAS90 in a box”.
An Applianz System Internet-enables almost any Windows-based software allowing our customers to run the best selling business software applications. Popular software applications can be used on any PC or Mac, from the office, home, or from anywhere in the world in seconds.
With our 1-click instant access technology, workers can use software from any off-site location without the expense and hassle of a VPN, Citrix, or Terminal Services
What’s happening with FRx?
Sage hasn’t made a decision on a replacement and appears to be early on in their search for a replacement. Most customers prefer using Excel and want drill down, wizards, real time data, and simple conversions. While development has discontinued, Microsoft will continue to support FRx until December 2011, so Sage doesn’t feel huge pressure to make a decision.
WAYNE: General feedback was that FRX hasn’t broken in the last 5 years and probably will continue to work another 5 years – so there’s not a huge sense of urgency to move existing FRX users though certainly after 2010 (when FRX new sales end) there will need to be a different financial reporting solution bundled with General Ledger. We’ve received no indication on what the replacement for FRX will be though F9 or Biznet BizExcelarator are two leading candidates in my opinion.
Another big issue is PA-DSS compliance or Payment Application Data Security Standards. These are the rules that require credit numbers to be stored only in encrypted form and standards designed to protect consumers from credit card fraud. Sage has engaged an audit firm to get them certified by later this year.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) compliance is something Sage is looking into and has in the works, but they are looking for feedback.
Some new features with MAS 90/200 EES (Extended Enterprise Suite) version 1.3 are:
- salesperson mapping to allow for divisions
- one salesperson in CRM can be mapped to the different required salespeople in MAS 90/200
- opportunities can be entered on the fly from CRM
- copying of orders from selected company will be allowed in CRM
- FAS will be updated to reflect the changes in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Fixed Asset Snapshots; Terminal Services support for SageCRM
- based on the MAS 90/200 4.3 code.
Planned features for MAS 90/200 EES 2.0 are:
- MAS 90/200 info in CRM User Interface
- Opportunities on the fly from MAS
- copy orders to/from any customer in CRM
- Fixed Assets 2010.1
- Role Based landing page in CRM
- CRM to support IE 8
- based on the MAS 90/200 4.4 code.
- scheduled to be released Spring 2010 or about a year from now.
- order entry screens in CRM will be the JavX screens from MAS 90/200, so they will have the dual entry lines in order entry and customizations from MAS 90/200 can be added to the JavX screens.
After MAS 90/200 EES 2.0: additional roles supported including purchasing agent and customer service (RMA); Multiple company support (one SageCRM database can update to multiple MAS 90/200 companies); and mobile solutions (Blackberry and iPhone), and business intelligence.
Future requests from customers for Sage MAS 90 and 200 enhancements are:
- electronic payments
- electronic bank reconciliations
- sales history for drop ships (ROBERT: which I thought they also said would be in 4.4)
- one click journal entry reversals.
Sage MAS 90/200 from 2010 and beyond:
- multi bin
- expand other IDs (Vendor Numbers, etc)
- positive pay
- include other Extended Solutions when/where appropriate,
- vertical functionality
- more business intelligence
- DB upgraded to SQL (undetermined as of Insights 2009 whether this will be MYSQL or MS SQL)
SQL was seen as very important to partners, existing customers, and new prospects. The biggest reasons were reporting and easier data transportation/warehousing/extracting. Why now? The Business Framework makes it possible. What about modules not being brought up to the Framework? SQL is projected to be in beta three to six months after MAS 90/200 4.4 is released.
Questions:
Job Cost?
Erika: Next question. Sage is probably moving to more of a project accounting model than job cost. Suggestion from the audience was Sage should survey existing job cost customers to see what they thought.
Payroll? No decision has been made yet.
With EES having three different databases, could we see some consolidation toward a single platform (i.e.: move FAS to SQL instead of Sybase).
Afterwards I asked Erika what was the migration path for existing MAS 200 SQL users. Her answer was none. They would either have to convert from MAS 200 SQL to current 4.4 or use a tool like the DSD SQL to MAS 3.71 conversion utility and then upgrade.
WAYNE: During Insights 2009 we learned that Sage is in negotiations with DSD Business Systems to purchase their MAS200 SQL Migration Utility. The game plan appears to be that Sage will discuss migration with each MAS 200 SQL 3.74 customer on an individual basis to get them to the MAS 90 4.x platform. There likely will not be one broad migration announcement for thos customers still using MAS 200 SQL 3.74.
There were several inventory features covered in the MAS 90/200 4.4 preview that was immediately after the Road Ahead session. Standard cost adjustment register and update. This will be patterned after automatic cost/price change and includes adjustments to GL. Removed ability to change from Inventory Maintenance unless quantity on hand is zero. System Activity Log will indicate the start, finish, and number of items updated. There will be no more having to enter a journal entry after standard cost is changed.
In physical count you can have the current quantity print on the worksheets and have it prepopulate current quantity on hand in physical count entry. Print current or historical standard cost on inventory valuation report. Because of this change, the Inventory Valuation by Period works. The Inventory Detail Transaction Report, Inventory Valuation Report by Period, and Inventory Trial Balance can be printed either portrait or landscape.
Standard cost items can be valued at zero. They will be relieved from inventory at zero cost. IM account will be untouched while standard cost is zero. The purchase cost will be offset in GL at the time of receipt.
Reminder: All planned features that we’ve discussed (as well as shipping deadlines) are preliminary and tentative. Until the product ships you should not assume that the feature will be included. While we strive to maintain this information so that it is as accurate as possible we cannot be responsible for features that are (or aren’t) added but which we’ve discussed here.
via: DDF Consulting – Starke Florida – Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 Consultants
MAS 90 SQL coming natively in v4.4+ – possibly no support for legacy modules
May 12, 2009
As an update to the morning announcement by Motasim Najeeb that MAS90 would now have a native SQL database starting soon after version 4.4 we have the following information:
Q1 2010 is release of 4.4
Beta of 4.4 SQL 3 to 6 months post release of 4.4
Still undetermined is whether legacy (non-framework) modules will be useable under the new SQL database. It appears that Sage does not yet have a definitive answer.
Also undetermined is the fate of MAS 200 SQL 3.74 but we would expect a life cycle announcement prior to the end of Insights.
Sage announces MAS 90 SQL for version 4.4+
May 12, 2009
In a keynote address today to the Sage Insights 2009 conference in Nashville, TN company CTO Motasim Najeeb announced that SQL is on the road map for MAS 90 and MAS 200 users. This is slated to appear enter beta sometime 3 to 6 months after version 4.4 is delivered in the newly rescheduled timeframe of Q1 2010. There’s no announced delivery of the final release for SQL.
What Happens To MAS 200 SQL 3.74?
Still unknown is the fate of MAS 200 SQL v3.74. This product has long been “stuck” back in the 3.x code base with no plans that we’ve heard for it to be upgraded.
We believe the most likely path will be for a migration path to be offered for MAS 200 SQL 3.74 users to get them to 4.4 and then eventually to MAS 90 SQL.
There are several things that are still unknown about this morning’s SQL announcement. There was no mention of timeframe final release for the development of MAS 90 SQL – so this offering may still be several years out. Lots can happen in several years.
When the first MAS 200 SQL was announced we were in the conference room where the Sage technical people indicated that the version would ship before the end fo the year. The actual shipping date for MAS 200 SQL slipped several times and missed that informal conference deadline by at least a year.
Sage MAS 90 and 200 version 4.4 delayed – now due Q1 2010
May 11, 2009
News is trickling out at the Insights 2009 reseller conference that the timeline for release of Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.4 will be delayed. The original due date as reported by several Sage Business Partners who I spoke with was year end 2009.
This new release is slated to upgrade Inventory, Bill of Materials and Purchase Order (as well as Custom Office enhancements).
Participants in a general MAS 90 version 4.4 session this morning were told they should no longer expect to see Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200 version 4.4 in 2009 – rather to expect it by the end of Q1 2010.
We verified this delay with Sage.
While unexpected delays can be aggravating, we think the wait for version 4.4 will be worth it.
Rumor is that part of what’s being looked at for the 4.4 release could include removal of the long standing 2 GB file size limitation that has caused problems for sites with extremely large Sage MAS 90 data files.
There is a session tomorrow on The Road Ahead for Sage MAS 90, 200 and 500 which will inevitably bring more information as well as possible news for MAS 200 SQL users and those users of modules not yet on the framework (PR, WO, MRP, etc).
CPA Exam Review Software for iPhone now available
May 6, 2009
Are you a CPA candidate looking for a portable study solution for the CPA Exam? CPAMasterMobile Business 2009 is now available for $1.99 in the iTunes App Store. This application focusses on the business section of the CPA exam in what the developer say’s is a user friendly format that presents exam questions in multiple choice format that tracks your scores and progress.
If you’ve got an iPhone or iPod Touch then look no further than the iTunes App Store. Appearing now are two applications – CPA Regulation and CPA Business. Both feature practice exams that can be taken again and again. As someone who passed the CPA exam largely as a result of repeatedly taking practice exams I can vouch for the effectiveness of this method.
While drilling on old exams won’t teach you new topics, it is an invaluable way to build confidence and measure your readiness for the test. At only $1.99 I’d head to the App Store now and download one or both of these.
CPA Regulation (iTunes)
CPA Business (iTunes)
MAS 90 LinkedIn Group Now Active
May 4, 2009
There is now a LinkedIn group for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 users and consultants to network and exchange ideas.
This unofficial group (it is neither sponsored by Sage or affiliated/endorsed by them) serves as a place for users of MAS 90 and MAS 200 to gather and get connected.
LinkedIn allows you to connect to other members across the country and exchange ideas as well as post your own thoughts to the discussion board. There is also an area to post jobs related items (either looking for a job or seeking someone for a position).
If you’re new to the concept of Social Media and perhaps a little unsure of its benefits, then LinkedIn is a great way to get started. LinkedIn is largely accepted as a business version of Facebook where companies encourage employees to create new contacts and network.
There is no charge to join LinkedIn and just about any topic is open for discussion.
DISCLAIMER: Just in case you missed it in the article above, this MAS90 LinkedIn group is not affiliated, endorsed, sponsored, or monitored by Sage in any way. The group is an independent use of the LinkedIn site to facilitate ease of MAS 90 or MAS 200 user/consultant communication.
Sage offers their own (excellent) Sage MAS Community Forums which provide direct feedback on product technical issues. Their Community forums ARE monitored by Sage and if you have a technical issue that you’d like to address directly to Sage are the most appropriate forum.
Naturally we strongly recommend that any issues first be discussed with your Sage Business Partner.
Link: MAS 90 and MAS 200 Users and Consultants – LinkedIn
Link: Sage MAS Community Forums – Most Recent Messages
Seesmic updates their Twitter client to include Facebook integration
May 2, 2009
It can be confusing enough to understand exactly how Twitter and Facebook work without also having to use their sometimes painfully slow web interface.
Thankfully there are a number of third party software programs available that let you manage your Twitter and Facebook accounts (view, post) from the desktop without ever having to log into the web.
Seesmic Desktop is one such standalone program and the developers have just added Facebook integration to what is already a great desktop Twitter client. I love Seesmic because it runs on Adobe Air which means the same program can be used on either Windows or Mac. The interface is nice and clean and free of a lot of icons that perform features I might never use.
The real power of Twitter is in search. And the Seesmic Desktop allows you to create as many searches as you like and save all of them off to the side. You can optionally open separate windows for each search and view the results as they update in real time. This type of monitoring is helpful for when you might want to monitor Twitter feeds for your company name, product or other important topics.
Sadly missing from Seesmic is any type of Twitscoop integration. This handy site shows the top trending topics in Twitter and is remarkably accurate at picking up on breaking news. While you can “Like” friends Facebook posts – you’ll have to wait for a future release to comment on them.
Seesmic Desktop is still a preview which means that it’s undergoing further testing before full release. To download a copy, follow the link below.
Intacct and Netsuite – My SAAS thoughts from IT Alliance Spring 2009
May 1, 2009
After the great presentation given by both Netsuite and Intacct, I was asked to give some feedback on the area of SAAS (software as a service) and highlight some of the topics covered in the presenation.
Here’s a brief YouTube video that the IT Alliance took of me during the conference which contains my thoughts:
MAS 90 for iPhone type solution announced by third party developer Blytheco and bMobile
May 1, 2009
Using a Providex-based technology (PVXPlus) Sage Business Partner and Developer Blytheco is announcing a new mobile solution which appears to render standard Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 screens to html for easy display on remote devices such as the iPhone as well as desktops.
This type of technology isn’t completely new. Sage Business Partner and long time developer Hightower Associates use PVXPlus technology to render their Timekeeper software remotely over a web browser as well.
At least a portion of the appeal of bMobile from Blytheco appears to be the elimination of the need to use Citrix or Terminal Services. While this is a good thing for smaller clients, most larger corporations already have some remote solutions in place and may already be using them with Sage MAS 90 or 200.
No word on whether the iPhone specific version of this solution will be available in the App Store (we think it will) or whether it will require a special type of iPhone referred to as jailbroken and meaning that the iPhone can accept applications from outside the official Apple iPhone App Store.
It’s also too early to tell what the implications will be for end user MAS 90 and MAS 200 license requirements and whether a full license for MAS 90 or MAS 200 will be required for all who are remotely connecting to the system via bMobile (we think it likely that licenses will be required).
The most unique announced feature appears to be the self-service portal capabilities. Many times companies want to allow vendors or employees into the system to do very limited data entry. Until now most were creating remote access desktops in Citrix or Terminal Server which can create security concerns.
There’s no word on availability though we expect to hear further information at the upcoming Sage Insights conference May 11 to 14 in Nashville.
From the Blytheco site, here is some more information about bMobile:
Access your MAS 90 or MAS 200 system when and how you need it.
BlythecoDev’s bMobile solution offers four deployment options:
Web browser-based MAS 90 or MAS 200 eliminates the need for expensive remote access tools (like Terminal Services or Citrix), and provides full system screens and capabilities for remote or traveling users. Run your system on a Mac or a Linux system, or on an alternative browser like Safari. Deploy one user or an entire remote office.
MAS 90 or MAS 200 on your smart phone. Access key system components easily and quickly using your iPhone, Blackberry, or other ‘smart phone.’ Customize your mobile screen using the standard Custom Office module.
Self-service browser-based portal for your customers, vendors, and employees. A streamlined MAS 90 interface combined with the power of your system gives them the ability to review their accounts, update contact information, place orders, and more.
Web- Based MAS 90 & CRM Integration
Your integrated front- to back-office system on the web. Proven Dynalink technology for SalesLogix Today enables users to have a complete view of all customer interactions on a web browser, increasing efficiencies and improving customer service.
Link: bMobile – Blytheco
-
Custom SearchAbout Schulz Consulting, LLC
We are a Glastonbury CT consulting firm specializing in Sage MAS90, MAS200 and related software (FRX, Crystal Reports, Starship, F9, SQL Mirroring, etc).
We provide nationwide consulting services via on-site, telephone or remote connection. Our clients range in size from start-up to $200 million and are located as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, California, Florida, Texas, Montana, Michigan and many other states.
Since 1986 we've provided support for all versions of Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200 under an unlimited client support agreement.
You may contact us via email or review our full support agreement here.
Our phone number is 860-657-8544
If you'd prefer that someone contact you - please review this information.
