MAS90 and MAS200 Virtualization Compatibility Guide – March 2011
March 31, 2011
If you’re wondering what virtualization products (VMWare Server, VMWare Workstation, Terminal Services, Hyper-V, Virtual PC) are supported with Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 then wonder no longer.
Sage this month (March 2011) have published a one page chart showing exactly which virtual computing software environments are compatible with which versions of Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200.
Based on the chart below you’ll definitely want to be on version 4.3 or higher to ensure compatibility with the latest virtual environments.
via: Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Virtual Environment Compatibility
MAS90 Chat Room Launched
March 29, 2011
Whether your company is 100 people in size or just one – it can be invaluable to access to a second opinion from those with MAS90 experience.
Starting today we’re dedicating one of our 37 Signals Campfire chat rooms to open MAS 90 and MAS 200 technical talk.
This is NOT a free support avenue. It’s a way for end users and consultants to get and share second opinions or request additional help on tough support problems.
There’s no registration required (though I would encourage you to send me an email – wayne@s-consult.com and I’ll create a free account for you which will allow you to view prior chat history) — and the group is fully open and public so what you type is seen by anyone else that’s inside the group.
We’ll run this for three or four months and see whether it can be expanded upon or improved. Don’t expect the room to be monitored 24×7 – rather it should be considered a gathering place for MAS 90 support pros to hang out.
When you log into the room – don’t expect an off-topic rowdy party.
The premise of MAS90 chat is that you leave this room open and on your computer and other users join and leave during the day.
During the majority of the time there may be no activity at all — so stay logged in until others join throughout the day.
If someone has a question they can ask in the room.
If someone can answer a question – and they happen to be logged into chat – they can answer (click below for an example).
If you access the chat room via this link – you won’t have to register or supply a password — however the chat will only display what is occurring while you are logged in. If you would like to view chat history – please email me (wayne@s-consult.com) and I’ll create an account for you.
Remember this is a two or three month experiment. It’s not affiliated, recommended, endorsed or liked by Sage. Use all information and recommendations at your own risk and I strongly advise you consult with your Sage Business Partner prior to implementing any ideas shared in chat.
Sage Rolls Out MAS 90 “Wicked Edition” with Product Update 5
March 29, 2011
For years my users have been clamoring for a way to tell their separate MAS 90 companies apart. Usually what they’d ask for is a different shade of background color so if they logged into the system without paying attention they’d HAVE to notice they were working in a different company.
Be careful what you wish for.
Sage have just rolled out their MAS90 Product Update 5 which includes enhancements to update the Form 941 to the latest format as well as bundling in an enhancement that’s been available for a while but only at a separate charge.
Formerly known as LM-1028 Company-Specific Background Colors – this enhancement is now bundled into MAS (as of PU5) and allows you to choose whether you want a company to have a unique background color. According to Sage color editing is helpful for telling different companies apart at a glance. One of the default colors is a glowing shade of green more suited to fans of the Broadway Musical Wicked where the lead character in the story is known for being born a glowing shade of green (see also How to win tickets to the NYC Broadway Wicked show).
Visit this link for more information on Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Product Update 5.
New 941 Form Layout Available for MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 via Product Update 5
March 28, 2011
Save have just pushed out Product Update 5 for their Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 series of accounting software. This update rolls in the new IRS Form 941 for 2011, includes an ability to set inventory items as inactive so that no sales or purchases can be made (the prior status only presented a warning which could be overridden), and one feature which seems like it’s been centuries in coming as a standard feature – Company Specific Background Colors – assign a different background color to each of your MAS 90 or MAS 200 company codes making it easier to distinguish between multiple companies at a glance!
Mas90 Version 4.4 Product Update 5
MAS 90 Shipping LInk Integration Now Shipping From ISM
March 15, 2011
Are you wondering whether to continue investing in Starship considering that the product is now sold directly from V-Technologies and not Sage?
Our recommendation is if your Starship program is running fine and you have no unmet needs – you should stay as-is with Starship.
If however you’ve been looking to integrate with your native carrier applications from FEDEX and UPS you might consider looking at The ISM Xpansions Shipping 2010 Edition. This add-on for MAS 90 and MAS 200 integrates your MAS system directly to the native UPS Online Worldship and FedEx Ship Manager.
Key among the features of Xpansions is the ability to ship multiple sales orders in the same package (or packages). The old version of this software used to make use of some trickier external database tables however the latest version completely re-designed those steps and now the interface file updates to a native PVX table using the standard SOTAMAS ODBC and BUsiness Objects.
Users with access to the Internet can access on line, real time tracking information directly in a MAS 90 or MAS 200 window. Instantly display online real time package tracking information within MAS 90 or MAS 200.
Contact your Sage Business Partner for pricing or visit ISM for more information.
MAS 90 and MAS 200 Shipping Link to FEDEX and UPS
What’s Included In Infor’s F9 Support for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200
March 14, 2011
Here’s a quick rundown of the cost that Infor charges for maintenance and support for F9 for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200.
For the initial user license of F9 pay $ 300/yr
Each 5 user block (above initial user) pay $ 240/yr
Each 1 user (above initial user) pay $ 60/yr
Here’s a copy of What’s Included With Infor F9 for MAS90 and MAS 200 Support
2011 Form 941 Draft Copy for MAS90 Users
March 12, 2011
Here’s a draft copy of what the IRS Form 941 changes for MAS90 and MAS200 users should look like. Check the IRS web site for the final forms or consult with your Sage Business Partner to have them help load the MAS90 Payroll update changes to your payroll system.
941 Q2 2011 Form Changes for MAS90 and MAS200
March 12, 2011
On March 1, 2011 the Federal government issued their final updates to the 2011 Form 941 (here’s a PDF of the draft copy). The Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 team is coding to this updated form and will release the change via a Hot Fix for Payroll versions 4.4, 4.3 and 4.2.
Users of versions prior to 4.2 should be aware that the form updates (as well as tax tables) will no longer be maintained for those unsupported versions.
These changes will also be incorporated into Product Update 5 for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 version 4.4, and Product Update 22 for version 4.3.
This updated 941 payroll form makes required changes for the legislation in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 that reduced the employee Social Security rate from 6.2% to 4.2% for one year, effective with wages earned beginning Jan. 1, 2011). Also included – changes from the 2010 version: elimination of lines for the payroll tax exempt. in the HIRE Act (lines 6a-6c), because the exemption may not be claimed on wages after Dec. 31, 2010; (2) removing the advance earned income credit line (line 9), due to the advance earned income credit not being eligible for claim after Dec. 31, 2010; and (3) the addition of a new line for the FICA tax due on unreported tips. Some information from the 2010 form 941 have been put on different lines (e.g., quarterly adjustments for sick pay moved from line 7b to line 8).
The hot fixes and product updates are currently targeted to be posted on Sage Online, Sage ERP MAS Support section close to the end of March 2011. In addition, the Q2 2011 Tax Table Update is currently targeted to be posted at the same location at approximately the same time.
Please check the download site or the Sage MAS Community forum throughout March for additional late-breaking information.
How to Obtainin F9 Unlock Codes / Infor Contacts
March 11, 2011
I’ve yet to try this — however after inquiring of Sage how we should go about obtaining registration keys for F9 – here’s what I found. I’ll be calling Monday and if the procedure has changed I’ll update in the comments.
As you probably know F9 is no longer being sold directly via Sage. The cutoff date for customers to have been billed for F9 renewal maintenance through Sage was October 1, 2010. If you renewed maintenance with Sage AFTER that date AND you own F9 – you now have to contact Infor (publisher) directly for maintenance and unlocking codes.
Here’s the maintenance pricing that I’ve received from Infor:
This pricing includes both upgrades and customer support (phone, enhancements, license reset).
- First user = $ 300/yr
- Add’l single users = $ 60/yr
- Add’l block of 5 Users = $240
These instructions should work for business partners only – end users should contact their partner as I do not think Infor handles this directly to end users.
The customer’s F9 serial number can be looked up online in the Sage Customer system (at least as of 3/11 I can see my customer’s F9 Serial Number).
Strip away the WWXCLF9 from the beginning of the serial number — this gives you the # that Infor supposedly needs for registration.
Call Infor – 604 682-4570 & provide them with this serial number.
The contacts I have at Infor:
To join up (partner program)
Leticia Valladares – leticia.valladares@infor.com – 604.699.3351
To renew maintenance or purchase (sales)
Armando Luna – armando.luna@infor.com – 1.604.699.3317
If you are simply looking to re-register a product then you can access the following link:
Why MAS90 Projects Fail. It’s The Bid Stupid.
March 11, 2011
Increasingly over the last few years I’ve been shocked by how many people use the internet to get a quote for their MAS 90 and MAS 200 upgrades or new implementations.
The fact that people are going out over the Internet doesn’t shock me. It’s the relative complexity of projects they’re looking for quotes on that does.
Most people:
- Don’t know what version they’re using
- Can’t find their disks
- Can’t “remember” their Sage partner
- Have had several prior accounting staff running their MAS90 system
- Can’t remember/Don’t know if they have customizations, custom reports
I totally get that companies don’t spend all their time analyzing their accounting systems to get these answers.
What I’m opposed to is the notion that sending an email request for an upgrade which either invites the receiving party (VAR/Consultant) to spend 2 to 4 hours (unpaid) doing a needs assessment or just shooting a number and hoping for the best.
You could (quite correctly) ask why VARS are not taking the 2-4 hours to analyze situations and then present detailed bids. In some cases VARS do — until they realize that most Internet requests for bids are really just requests for third bids that a customer sometimes (not always) is using to compare against a preferred provider.
And that preferred provider may not have done any due diligence. So the VAR’s analysis is then fed back to the low cost provider who uses the quote to make sure they didn’t misunderstand the needs of the customer (which they usually did).
The diligent VAR is then left having provided a valuable service for no compensation. Repeat this 4 to 6 times a week and you’ll quickly see how providing free (high level) needs analysis to random customers who you have no prior relationship is not a sustainable business model.
Is there any question why so many IT projects fail?
In the race to the lowest cost people (both customers and VARS) forget that unless the solution works to the expectations of the customer that the bidding process is actually a lose-lose-lose.
Fewer and fewer people are actually taking the time to understand the concerns. Review alternatives — and finally to implement a sound solution.
It’s all ready, fire, aim.
Reload, repeat.
The customer loses because they thought they were getting everything at one fixed low price and that the services would “fix” numerous previously undisclosed problems.
The consultant loses because they underbid – and in some cases race to finish and get out with their sanity intact
The publisher loses because they have an unhappy customer who probably tells everyone how horrible the software they are using is.
The solution?
Most fo the time these projects shouldn’t be 3 bids and take the lowest. If you’re going to go for bids I’d go for bids on the qualifications of the consultant first. Then expect to pay a realistic price.
Sending an email blast asking “can you quote my upgrade” rather than “would you like to become our trusted consultant” to half a dozen VARS found in a Google search is a recipe for problems because bidding often is not accompanied by any deeper understanding or probing of underlying disclosed or undisclosed problems.
.02 via Information Week
Sage Summit 2011 – Save $ 200 on Customer Registration With This Discount Code
March 10, 2011
Sage Summit 2011 conference registration for customers is now officially open.
This year the conference for Sage Software is combined with Sage consultants attending July 10-15 and customers attending July 12-15, 2011. There are a wide variety of technical sessions scheduled as well as plenty of opportunities to attend business building workshops.
The conference host this year is the Gaylord National just outside Washington DC. Hotel rates are available from $180 to $214 per night at four area hotels (all an easy walk to the main convention center).
Early customer registrants can take advantage of a special offer that saves you $ 200 off the normal fee. Simply enter in code PTOC10 and you’ll save $200. Stick the name of your Authorized Sage Partner into the business partner name field (If you don’t have a partner use DSD Business Systems). The code cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions.
MAS90 or MAS200 Daily Transaction Register Only Updates Last Unposted Batch Starting 4.30
March 9, 2011
It’s probably a good idea to get in the habit of always updating your MAS90 or MAS200 Daily Transaction Register and not leaving unposted items until the end of the day.
The Daily Transaction Register (DTRY) is the posting journal that transmits source transactions (say from an updated invoice register) to the General Ledger in the form of a journal entry.
In version 4.20 and earlier whenever you went and updated an invoice register (and it appears that this may impact all registers) if you didn’t update the DTR then the next time someone went and updated a register they could answer “yes” to updating the DTR and both their register AND any unposted registers would be updated.
Apparently in version 4.30 of Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 the logic somehow changed. Speculation is that this was changed to accommodate the use of Paperless Office.
Here’s the Sage KB Article. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why some journals have updated all the way to the general ledger and others haven’t – the cure is likely to always update the DTR each time you update a detail journal (or always have someone run the DTR from the general ledger at the end of the day).
via: Brett Zimmerman
Reporting for Community Healthcare Organizations
March 8, 2011
Are you a Community Healthcare Organization with questions about improving your financial reporting?
Join our friends at JMT Consulting Group on March 17 for their free one hour session which answers these questions:
- Are you a Federally Qualified Community Health Center or in the process of becoming one?
- Do you rely heavily on manual processes such as spreadsheets for financial reporting?
- Would you like to simplify the production of UDS Reports, Section 330 Grant
- Reports, Medicaid and Medicare Cost Reports?
- Do you have ARRA or stimulus funds that you must produce reports for?
- Have you or will you soon complete EHR/EMR conversion and will want to integrate these systems with your General Ledger?
- Have you outgrown Quickbooks or Peachtree and are looking for better grant
- reporting and a higher degree of automation of allocations, cost categorization and reporting?
- If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, please join us at our upcoming webinar:
- Reporting Remedies for Community Healthcare Organizations.
During this webcast JMT Consulting will cover:
- Identifying the right financial management system for your CHC.
- Automating the production of FQHC-required financial reports.
- Integrating your EHR/EMR systems with your General Ledger.
his free event is hosted by JMT Consulting Group, an independent nonprofit consultancy.
If you are the Finance Director, Executive Director, Controller or Audit Committee Board Member of a grant-funded healthcare organization, you are cordially invited to attend!
Sage MAS Intelligence Quick Guides (PDF)
March 4, 2011
Sage yesterday provided our 90 Minds Consulting Group with three documents that explain a little more about the features, functionality and cost of their Sage MAS Intelligence reporting tool.
As you probably recall Sage was forced to retire the distribution of FRX Financial Reporting as of January 31, 2011. This occurred because Microsoft (the owner/publisher of FRX) discontinued distribution effectively bringing product sales of FRX to an end of life with support terminating at the end of 2012.
Though Sage have promised FRX compatibility through Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.5 – they’re already rolling out Sage MAS Intelligence as their featured replacement for FRX. Since existing users of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 receive a free license of Sage MAS Intelligence (customers on plan receive a free Report Manager license and a Security Manager for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 v4.4 — or EES 1.4).
There have been a number of questions (cost, functionality) that users and consultants have asked which I think are answered quite nicely in the PDF files below.
Sage MAS Intelligence Cheat Sheet
Getting Going With Sage ERP MAS Intelligence
What is Sage MAS Intelligence?
Job Status tab displays data in the incorrect fields and Job Cost Reports with Job-to-Date, Period-to-Date or Year-to-Date information display data in the incorrect fields.
March 3, 2011
If you’re struggling with wrong totals appearing in your MAS 90 or MAS 200 version 4.4 Job Cost files then you may have hit upon a bug that I just spent a good 6 to 8 hours uncovering — only to realize that Sage seemed to know about it but had the problem report “hidden” so that it’s only uncovered by a phone call to the publisher (way to be efficient – not)…
Here’s the situation:
Sage has an acknowledged product bug in Job Cost 4.4. You can read about it fully here:
What the problem report didn’t tell us (and admittedly this could be specific only to the customer where I encountered this issue – but I’m betting it’s more widespread) is that if the JC1 (Job Master File) is damaged then after you load the Product Update 4 you will most likely continue to have problems as described in the hidden Sage knowledgebase entry below.
The solution that finally appears to have worked for us is to take the time consuming and inconvenient step of manually applying the “possible workaround” to each job cost master record (JC1) that appeared damaged and lengthening the key.
It seems that Sage might be working on a product fix to correct data however this bug is so old and known that I advised the customer not to hold their breath waiting for a fix.
Note to Sage: Please improve your customer and partner service and publish all KB entries so in the future your customers don’t have to reinvent the wheel trying to re-produce and issue that you are aware of.
The Job Status tab displays data in the incorrect fields and Job Cost Reports with Job-to-Date, Period-to-Date or Year-to-Date information display data in the incorrect fields. Requesting Data Fix Utility related to LM4051-T (Defect 94422)
Entry Type: Program Issue
Product:
Sage MAS 90 ERP
Sage MAS 200 ERP
Application: Job Cost
Version Reported: 4.40.0.x
Status:
For current information on this issue, please click the Engineering Status link above. To record the occurrence of this issue, respond Yes to the question, “Did this answer help you?”
Subject:
The Job Status tab displays data in the incorrect fields and Job Cost Reports with Job-to-Date, Period-to-Date or Year-to-Date information display data in the incorrect fields. Requesting Data Fix Utility related to LM4051-T (Defect 94422)
Steps to Duplicate:
4.40 mas90, company EEC; do not use 4.40.0.4., or higher for the steps; it has the fix to prevent the issue.
Using Data File Display and Maintenance, in file JC1EEC, view the record for job EEC4575, JC1 record is not short
Enter AR invoice data entry for customer 01-COLDWEL, select job EEC4575 on Main tab. Enter at least one sales code line.
Update AR Sales Journal; can update DTR but not necessary.
Repeat step 2. Record is short.
Note: You can use SO invoice data entry for step 3 in place of AR Invoice Entry; results are same.
If you were to use Rebuild Key Files on JC1 (job masterfile) right now, job EEC4575?s JC1 record would be deleted.
Select Job EEC4575 in Job Masterfile Maintenance, Status Tab, note the invoice entered is not in the JTD, YTD, PTD fields. The FUTURE button should be illuminated and the data is displaying in the Invoice Billed and Payment Received next period fields.
Expected Behavior:
A/R Invoices that reference a job should post to the Invoice Billed PTD, YTD and JTD fields in JC1 Job Masterfile. A/R Payments that reference a job should post to Payment Received PTD, YTD, JTD.
When a short record exists in JC1 (program issue corrected in LM4051-T but existing data was not corrected), the invoice and payment amounts post to the incorrect field in JC1, therefore displaying in the incorrect fields in the Job Status tab and on Job Cost Reports.
Possible Workaround:
Library Master / Data File Display & Maintenance / Select JC1xxx.
A short record displays only 5 lines for the 01 String field and a correct record will display 6 lines for the 01 String field.
Select the short record, Edit, 1,334,50 and answer YES to Expand the field. Accept.
This will correct the record size and data will post in the correct fields going forward.
Currently, data will need to be manually edited using Data File Display and Maintenance to enter the correct values for the job.
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