How To Reprint The Data From A Sage 100 ERP Accounts Payable Check Stub?

check

Have you ever printed an accounts payable check and for whatever reason the detail on the stub which shows the invoices paid is missing?

When printing accounts payable checks there is a field labeled “Stub Lines”

I have seen instances where setting this number TOO HIGH can cause a check to print with incomplete/partial invoice listings.

The resolution is generally to reduce the Stub Lines number to be the actual # of lines that can fit on that check. Also, remember that both stubs of the check may have different amounts of space for invoice listing depending upon whether customization’s have made to your check layout. In those cases select the # of lines which is the SMALLEST # which fits on either of the stub in order to prevent losing invoice details.

Unfortunately re-printing check stubs is not possible however you may wish to use the Payments History Report from the Accounts Payable – Reports menu or the Trial Balance report on the same menu. Both of these standard Sage 100 ERP (fka MAS90 or MAS200) reports will show the check invoice detail.

Year End Closing Tips for Sage 100 ERP (formerly MAS 90) – Special Newsletter

Our special year end newsletter for Sage 100 ERP (formerly known as MAS90 or MAS200) users is now available. In this issue we explore tips and tricks for closing every module – including the order in which they should be closed.

Are you following best practices by creating year-end archive companies? If not – we will show you how to use the built-in features that allow Sage 100 ERP to quickly create backup copies of your live data. These copies of data are especially helpful for anyone using the payroll module since you can refer back to the archived companies throughout the year as your employees request copies of W2 and other forms which they may have lost.

This issue also has information on the payroll tax updates and provides information about when and how to apply them to your system to meet new IRS and state tax guidelines.

Sage 100 ERP Year In Review – 2012 Closing Tips (PDF)

Alert: Users cannot log into MAS 90/200 (Sage 100 ERP), VIPRE Antivirus

I just spotted the following news about a potential conflict with an anti-virus program on the Sage Community forum:

 

Hi all.

We have received a good number of support calls this morning (May 25, 2012), all with these two things in common:

1. One or more users cannot log into Sage 100 ERP (Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200). As soon as they enter the login and password, nothing happens or they may get a message that Launch32.exe is missing.
2. They are all using VIPRE Antivirus Software. Apparently VIPRE is considering Launch32.exe to be a Trojan. This is a False Positive.

Depending on the policy in effect, VIPRE either blocks the program from running, so some workstations (especially those that have rebooted recently) have the problem while others may not until they reboot; or it will quarantine the file, removing it completely.

Status Update!
Sunbelt Security (maker of VIPRE) is aware of this False Positive. They intend to have a definition update released this afternoon.
http://supportforums.sunbeltsoftware.com/messageview.aspx?catid=219&threadid=9275&forumid=2

Possible Workaround
You likely will have to access Task Manager (Start / Run / Taskmgr, then go to the Processes tab) to perform an End Process on the Pvxwin32.exe task on the workstation, as it continues to run though the user cant get into Sage 100 ERP.

Go into the VIPRE console and select Policy Properties. For each policy, whether for server or workstation, go to Exceptions, select Exclusions, then Add a folder: ..\MAS90 folder, and Add a file: Launch32.exe to be excluded. (Note: This also means if the file really becomes infected, VIPRE would not know.)

If Launch32.exe Is Missing (Quarantined)
If the Launch32.exe file IS removed, try to take it back out of quarantine. Or, restore a copy of Launch32.exe from backup, if possible. (Note: The VIPRE software CAN quarantine the file when you are in the process of moving or restoring, so you may need to temporarily disable the software while you get that done.)

Paul Chen
Customer Support Specialist

 

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Roadmap – September 2011

Sage have just issued their September 2011 roadmap for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200.

News of note in the roadmap:

  • Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 serves over 45,000 customers
  • Deployment options for on-premises or on-demand (MAS90 cloud)
  • Roadmap Summary of Key Dates

Q4 2011

  • SageCRM 7.1 Free Single License
  • Existing MAS users can migrate automatically to SQL
  • Additional 14 Extended Solution titles added

Q4 2011

  • MAS90 Online 
  • Reporting trees for SMI
  • Report distribution for SMI
  • Performance gains
  • FRX conversion assistance tool
  • SageCRM 7.1 – with eMarketing
  • SageCRM MS Exchange integration
  • SageCRM iPhone App
  • SageCRM Twitter integration

Versioni 5.0 of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 is due on or about Q4 2012. Look for more web integration, automatic updates of new versions. Version 5.1 will follow around Q4 2013 with mobile apps, Sage Payroll, Sage Portal and Sage Advisor.

View the full roadmap below:
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Roadmap September

On a Windows 7 workstation, MAS 200 clients do not show the icon pictures on the toolbar. Why would this be and how to fix?

Two people in my 90 Minds Consulting Group have run across similar tricky issues wehre the icons on the Sage ERP MAS 200  taskbar disappear. Turns out there’s an easy solution related to font sizes that my friend Jim Woodhead at DSD documented on his site. Here’s the fix.

Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.50 Detailed Pre-Release Guide

Sage has just re-released their detailed guide to new features to be included in their version 4.50 release when it begins shipping on June 8, 2011.

Significant enhancements have been made to payroll , sales order, and Sage ERP MAS Intelligence financial reporting.

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4 5 Pre-Release Guide 6-24-11

Supported Platforms – Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 – September 2011

Users of Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 should consult the following supported platforms listing as issued by Sage prior to installing upgrades or purchasing new hardware or operating systems.

These are the only official platforms supported by Sage. If you attempt o run Sage ERP MAS90 or MAS200 on an unsupported platform – while it may work – you will not be able to obtain any official support to resolve any issues you encounter.

Supported Platform Matrices – MAS90 + MAS200 Version 4.50

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 90

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200 for SQL Server

Supported Platform Matrices – Version 4.45

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200

Supported Platform Matrices – Version 4.40

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 90

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200

Supported Platform Matrices – Version 4.30 and earlier

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 90

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200

Supported Platform Matrix for Sage MAS 200 for SQL Server

Important: From time to time Sage updates their supported platforms matrix. While every effort is made to provide current information we cannot guarantee that these are the most current documents from Sage or that there are not other considerations for your specific situation. You are advised to consult with your Sage Business Partner prior to making any purchasing decisions. In no case is Schulz Consulting responsible for any incorrect purchases of hardware or operating systems based on use of these Sage Supported Platform Matrices.

Paperless Office Setup with MAS90 v4.30 and Windows 7 – Tip

In most cases Sage ERP MAS90 and MAS200 workstation setup will properly setup your computer for use with the popular Paperless Office feature which allows printing reports and forms to PDF.

However some users have reported issues where installation to Windows 7 computers may be troublesome. They report either issues with the paperless drivers not installing or various registration related errors.

Often we find that logging in and running workstation setup as administrator solves the issue.

In some cases you may find that extra measures such as registry tweaks (as advised by Sage) are required. I just noticed on the Sage Community Forums that someone has come up with an easier way to attempt to resolve pesky Windows 7 Paperless Office issues.

This involves using the MAS version 4.4 install files for paperless – and installing them to your version 4.30 system.

First a warning. We’ve not yet tested this – so you’re on your own if something breaks or is damaged. Make a backup before attempting this solution.

Remember that in most cases you can install Paperless Office straight from the workstation setup — with no need for this workaround. You should only use the below tip if you’ve tried to install paperless, have researched the Sage KB for solutions – and still failed.

Paperless Office Setup – MAS90 4.3 Windows 7 – Workaround
UPDATE: Sage have issued an additional knowledgebase article which seems very comprehensive in the number of tips that it provides. If you are having trouble with Paperless Office hanging on Windows 7 or Windows 2008 please review this Sage KB Article.

How Is Unit Cost Computed For FIFO Items Within MAS90 Sales Order Invoice Entry?

Here is an interesting tidbit that I just learned (or maybe I knew it before but re-learned it).

The cost field in the MAS90 Sales Order Invoice data entry may not be the true cost so long as the invoice is unposted.

A Client was using FIFO costing for an item that they sold. Noticed that the data entry cost didn’t match with the gross profit journal cost. Turns out the way that the cost is assigned is MAS90 and MAS200 may use last cost within the invoice data entry cost field. (see this link for the Sage explanation)

When the transaction is posted the cost is assigned properly to the invoice history file.

This came about because the client wanted to provide a file of sMAS90 Sales Order invoice data entry transactions (including line item costs) to a third party. My thinking was just take MAS90 Sales Order Invoice Data Entry and do an export.

That worked — except the client noticed the cost per the export I had created did not match to the cost per the Cost Journal for FIFO (and possibly other) cost types.

Here’s the Sage KB that explains it better than I probably have.

MAS90 Online Early Adopters Wanted

Looking for Early Adopters for Sage ERP MAS 90 Online

Sage ERP MAS 90 Online is scheduled to launch in October 2011. Sage is currently looking for clients and partners to participate in an Early Adopter program. We are specifically looking for clients to go “live” in September to help Sage ensure the system is ready to go. Sage will cover the first two months of the Sage ERP MAS Online subscription fees for clients participating in the Early Adopter Program.

If you have a (prospective) client who would be interested in the Early Adopter program for Sage ERP MAS 90 Online please contact me at jamie.kandola@sage.com.

Note: As of now only new users are being accepted. In the future this program may open up to existing users of Sage ERP MAS90 or 200.

MAS90 Users Off Maintenance? September 8, 2011 Could Be Your Last Day To Reinstated Inexpensively

My fellow 90 Minds collaborator Beth Bowers dropped this into the group a few days ago. I think it’s worth sharing.

I’ve not seen an official memo on this from Sage but the reinstatement folks are advising:

On September 8 (I believe the magic of that date is when 4.5 is slated to be available for new sales) those users on version 4.1 or earlier who are OFF SAGE MAINTENANCE will no longer have the option to reinstated for the price of the penalty.

Instead those users on 4.1 and earlier who are also off maintenance and wanting to come back on will have to re-purchase the package – which depending upon configuration – could be two or three times the reinstatement cost.

Sage Branding North American Roadmap

I was of the impression that these items were under embargo however they seem to have appeared in public and most of the details being shown privately to select partners has been reposted on LinkedIn.

sage rebranding linkedin.jpg

Here’s what we understand so far about the Sage re-branding.

On stage at the Sage Summit 2011 conference incoming CEO Pascal Houillon surprised the audience of Sage Business Partners with an announcement that most of the products in Sage’s North American portfolio would be rebranded with a numbering scheme similar to that used in Sage Europe.
YouTube Preview Image

What followed was apparent confusion for some in the Sage channel as evidenced by this very lengthy 130+ message LinkedIn message thread.

Sage have been meeting privately with select VARS to roll out their concept of re-branding and solicit private feedback. When asked if he’d be going on the road to do a general listening tour with the entire channel, EVP Marketing Dennis Frahmann paused before stating that Sage had no plans to gather general feedback from partners.

As conversation continued on LinkedIn around this re-branding efforts Sage seemed to move into position to participate in the conversation (too late in my opinion) and issued several general statements to clarify their branding.

According to Sage EVP of Corporate Marketing Dennis Frahmann, not all product names will be reduced to a numbering system as per this post he made on August 24, 2011:

The current straw case naming architecture that has been shared with a number of partners and advisory groups for comments proposes that the name of Sage ERP X3 be untouched. There are other products as well that would not get renamed. Our intent is to publish the complete naming architecture to our partner community later this fall.

Frahmann also followed up in a post here with further reasoning on why certain products might not be renamed:

Second, as noted in an earlier FAQ to partners, not every product is being renamed. Some programs and products, currently designed to support all of Sage, already have generic names that will remain the same or change only slightly. Other products, due to either specific business plans or limited intent to acquire new customers, will not change their names. Only a limited set of numbers will be used to create families of offerings; each renamed product will not have a distinct number.

Finally, while this is a North American-led initiative, we are working closely with our international colleagues. If a product is renamed, it will be renamed for all regions in which it is sold.

Sage will around the end of 2011 announce final plans for their new branding initiative. Implementation will follow at the start of 2012 with full branding rollout presently scheduled for the end of 2012.

Product names for some (but not all) products will go away. Instead of referring to product names you’ll refer to them as follows (tentative and preliminary examples – not complete):

Sage 50: Sage Simply, etc.

This will also roughly describe products used by companies with 50 or fewer employees and under $50 million of sales.

Sage 100: Sage ERP MAS 90, etc.

This will also roughly describe products used by companies with 100 or fewer employees and under $100 million of sales.

Sage 300: Sage ERP Accpac, etc.

This will include mid-market applications that also are distributed outside North America.

Sage 500: Sage ERP MAS 500

This will also roughly describe products used by companies with up to 500 employees and $500 million of sales.

It appears Sage ERP X3 will retain its name. As of right now there’s not much information on whether Peachtree will rebrand. Earlier reports has Sage stating that Sage Peachtree would be referred to as Sage 50. Also later in the year watch for a new SaaS offering which Sage CEO Houillon briefly announced from the podium. While details were not announced it’s likely that Sage will leverage some of their overseas product technology for this.

Sage MAS Intelligence (SMI) Free Web Demonstration Schedule

smi sponsors.jpg

As you know the FRX Financial Reporting tool included with Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 General Ledger is no longer supported by the software publisher (Microsoft).

Sage have issued prior notices on this which you can review here.

FRX remains compatible with prior versions of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200. Sage have also indicated it will be compatible with the next version 4.5 slated for release 9/8/11 – though the only assistance Sage can provide is with integration to Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200. All bug fixes and patches have ceased to be readily available for the FRX program.

For new custom financial reporting projects involving more than a few hours of efforts you may wish to evaluate which reporting tool you should use to create new reports.

Moving forward users of FRX will eventually need to migrate to another reporting solution. Sage have provided Sage MAS Intelligence (SMI) as their recommended solution.

SMI is Microsoft Excel based and draws data not only from your financial data but also data from other MAS 90 + MAS 200 data files such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, etc.

Sage published this PDF which provides many tips and online links showing how to get started with SMI. Those of you with immediate reporting needs may find it helpful to review the information which goes into greater depth on available resources.

On Wednesday August 24, 2011 Sage will sponsor a free one hour look (30 minute demo and 30 minute question and answer) at creating financial statements using SMI Report Designer. The session starts at 1pm PDT or 4pm EDT. You can sign up here to attend this overview or review the schedule of future SMI web seminars.

Sage MAS Intelligence.jpg

Sage Summit Pascal Houillon Keynote, Branding Announcement, Panel Discussion

Sage have just posted the keynote address from their Sage Summit 2011 conference that was held in July 2011. Interesting topics covered include significant branding changes for Sage North America.

Following the keynote is a Q&A session with Sage Executives.

YouTube Preview Image

How’s The Accuracy Of The New MAS90 – MAS200 CT Payroll Tax Tables?

I have completed about half a dozen MAS90 payroll upgrades for clients with Connecticut employees.

So far I’ve received feedback that the computations need to be manually reviewed and in some cases adjusted (be sure to read the instruction sheet that I left because Sage indicates that with the update you may not longer simply add an additional amount to CT withholding but instead should force the ENTIRE computed CT withholding).

If you need this, here is a link to the tax table update as well as the important instructions on configuring CT tax withholding.

http://infosource.sagesoftwareonline.com/sw_attach/sso/mas90/90ttu.htm

Please let me know how you are finding the computation of CT tax and if you’re encountering any issues.

MAS90 Payroll Fix: Texas Form C-3 line13 displays taxable wages instead of gross wages when using State eFiling and Reporting

dont-mess-with-texas.jpg

Users of the Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 State eFiling and Reporting capabilities may note that on version 4.4 and product update 5 and 6 or version 4.3 and product update 22 and 23 that Texas Form C-3 line13 displays taxable wages instead of gross wages when using State eFiling and Reporting,

Sage has a fix for this which you can download here.

Credit Card Swiping Slated To Arrive for MAS90 and MAS200 with Sage Exchange

sage exchange.jpg

One of the most requested credit card processing enhancements has been the use of swipers for reading encoded data from from credit cards.

As you probably know the fee credit card processors charge for a card which has been swiped is less than one which has been manually keyed in. The reasoning behind this being that a swiped card has a higher level of security and thus less likelihood for fraud.

Credit card swiping integration is scheduled to arrive late 2012 with the use of Sage Exchange as the credit card processing solution. Sage Exchange is a cloud based integration which off-loads the processing of credit card transactions from software by linking in the authorization remotely.

In addition expect integrations between portable credit card swipers used on smartphones such as iPhone, Android or Blackberry.

Sage Exchange is the integration platform for credit card processing being used by all of Sage’s North America products. The product will completely replace PC Charge as well as the Sage credit card processing module. Instead all card data will be uploaded to Sage Exchange where it will be securely stored. Transactions will be processed between the MAS90 software and Sage Exhange – which removes the need to continually certify Sage upgrades as PCI compliant.

sage roadmap 2012.jpg

Sage Exchange

MAS90 Version 3.71 Tradeup Offer (Cash For Clunkers)

Still using MAS90 or MAS200 version 3.71?

Of course you know that Sage discontinued support for that version in September 2010. Version 3.71 also won’t play nice with Windows 7 (though you may be able to trick it into installing – we’ve no idea how long that trick will continue to work).

If being 7 versions behind the current level of MAS90 doesn’t keep you awake wondering what would happen if your system shut down and Sage refused to supply a program patch is not of concern to you – then please stop reading now. This offer will not be of interest.

However if you rely on your MAS90 or MAS200 3.71 ERP system and would be “stuck” if suddenly the software shut down due to an incompatibility with a new operating system or maybe a patch that Microsoft automatically pushes to a dozen or so workstations – then please read below.

Sage is offering up to 60% off an upgraded version of your MAS 90 or MAS 200 3.71 system.

The beauty of this upgrade – yes it’s true that you’ll have some items that need manual converting – all your data converts automatically.

The fine print: Technically most (the great majority) of your data will convert automatically. Forms and reports need some updating and for most users that’s a straightforward process.

Barring any data integrity issues (in our experience performing lots of these upgrades we find that most data converts just fine) version 4.4 of MAS 90 or MAS 200 will convert all of your data automatically. Every last historical (and important ) transaction detail.

There are lots of new features since you last upgraded MAS90 or MAS200. While I would like to say that paperless forms (emailing) or NACHA AP transfers are everyone’s favorites (and for many users they are) – in actuality every company finds a different favorite feature or two that seems to make the upgrade worthwhile.

At Schulz Consulting we provide you with:

- A fixed fee upgrade price – this covers installation, test, conversion and go-live.
- A 100% money back guarantee on the work we perform. If you’re not delighted with our services – then we don’t want you to pay. Or if you think the value of our service is less than we’ve quoted – pay what you feel the work has been worth to you (all the way to zero).

Inquire about a MAS90 Upgrade Quote

mas90 supported version.png

For more information: MAS90 Cash for Clunkers

Error 46 Sy_Session.pvc or Error 11 Sy_Session.pvc “Record ‘ ‘ is missing

Sage have just issued a second hotfix for Sage ERP MAS 200. This one seems to address an issue found only in MAS200 where master developer enhancements were at one time (or possible still are) installed.

Because the issue seems particularly tricky to track down – I thought it might be good to post the report and link to the fix.

Error 46 SY_Session.pvc or Error 11 Sy_Session.pvc in MAS 200 v4.4

FRX Service Pack 11 (R11670) for MAS 90 (Download)

frx service pack.jpg

You may have tried recently to download the latest FRX service pack 11 from Sage. Unfortunately as of January 31, 2011 Sage is no longer able to distribute service packs due to Microsoft (who publishes FRX) discontinuing sales of FRX (support however extends to December 2012).

If you need to download FRX 6.7 Service Pack 11 (aka R11670) you can navigate directly to the Microsoft Knowledgebase via the link below.

frx for mas90 mas200 download service pack.jpg

Download FRX Service Packs For MAS 90 and MAS 200:

FRX Service Pack 10
FRX Service Pack 11

Can we assist you further ? Provide your name and contact information so we can contact you:

[wp-highrise-contact]

What Are The New Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Maintenance Plans?

sage maintenance plans changing.jpg

Sage have just rolled out a completely revamped line of support plans for their Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 accounting software.

We’re still evaluating the major changes however so far we’ve seen:

- Silver plan now only includes 5 cases per year (was unlimited)
- Bronze plan has NO ACCESS to Sage support (was $300/case)
- Users who purchase over 5 users prior to 2003 and were grandfathered will begin to pay a per user license fee on licenses in excess if the initial 5 users –  starting April 2011.
Since maintenance plans have changed – Sage will automatically update existing users’ plans according to the chart below so that the benefits and features remain similar.

If you have questions on how your Sage maintenance plan is calculated please contact your Sage Business Partner for assistance or you can also call the phone number listed on your Sage renewal and ask for them to provide you a breakdown of costs.

F9 for MAS90 Now Sold and Maintained Directly By Publisher Infor

f9 for Sage MAS 90 MAS 200.jpg

You may have heard that F9 is now being marketed and sold (both new and maintenance renewals) directly by the software publisher, Infor, as opposed to the prior relationship where Sage handled all the ordering and maintenance invoicing.

Customers who have F9 installed may receive an email from Info prompting you to register your copy of F9 with them. From what we know the customer list of prior purchasers of F9 was not transferred to Infor when this relationship change happened.

If you’re using F9 you’ll be able to contact your Sage Business Partner directly (provided they’ve opted to resell F9 through Info) or you can use the link below to register your copy of F9.

Register your F9 with Infor

Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 Upgrade Quote Request

We’re working to streamline our upgrade quote process.

If you’re seeking a quote to upgrade your existing Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 — and you are NOT already a Schulz Consulting client (Reseller of Record = Schulz Consulting) then please complete the form below.

Within 24 business hours we will contact you to provide an estimate of upgrade costs for your review.

If the estimate is acceptable to you then we will provide a written proposal.

Google Custom Search for MAS 90 Information

google custom search.jpg

Are you tired of all the SPAM and self-serving information that appears when you search Google for technical information on MAS 90 or MAS 200? What if you could totally eliminate all but the most important Sage sites — and just search what Google has publicly indexed from Sage?

Well now you can. Here’s a quick and dirty Google Custom Search that reviews the public contents of your search results and limits the results only to those coming from Sage’s knowledgebase.

You won’t need to login or provide any other information – just search away!

How many users can I have on Sage ERP MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200?

maximum MAS90 users.jpg

One of the most frequently asked questions from new (and often existing) users of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 is around the maximum number of user who can simultaneously log into Sage ERP MAS 90 or Sage ERP MAS 200.

If you ask twenty consultants this question – you’re likely to receive twenty different answers.

I posed this question to five consultants who I trust. Interested in their responses?

How Many Users Can I have on Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200?

MAS90 & MAS 200 Module Removal Request Form

Do you have modules on your Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 system which you’re no longer using? Sometimes this can happen due to a change in business. Other times it might be a module like Visual Integrator which you used for the first few years but no longer need.

Sage will reduce your maintenance for any modules that you indicate are no longer in use. First you must remove those modules from your system and then you’ll need to supply Sage with the completed form below.

Please consult your Sage Business Partner prior to making any such changes just so you’re sure that the modules you’re requesting be removed are in fact no longer used.


MAS90 or MAS200 Module Deactivation Request

MAS90 & MAS200 User Count Reduction Request Form

Are you licensed for 20 user of Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 yet find that you’re only using 10 on a consistent basis? If so then you can complete the form linked below, return it to Sage and they will in turn reduce your licensed user count and subsequently reduce your associated annual maintenance costs (if any) for the user counts removed.


MAS90 & MAS 200 User Count Downgrade Request

User Downgrade Request Form – Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 (1/17/2011)

Sage ERP MAS 90, MAS 200, MAS 500 Supported Versions [January 2011]

sage mas90 mas200 supported versions.jpg

Sage have indicated their intention to support the current version of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 – plus two prior versions.

This support policy will kick in on September 30, 2011 when the following Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 versions will no longer be supported by Sage Software:

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 version 4.00
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 version 4.05
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 version 4.10

In addition the following Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL versions will retire on 9/30/11:

Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL version 3.72
Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL version 3.73
Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL version 3.74

The following MAS500 version will retire on 9/30/11:
Sage ERP MAS 500 7.05

Via: Current Sage ERP MAS 90, 200 and 500 Supported versions

Sage Summit 2011 Social Media Sites

sage summit 2011.jpg

Thinking about attending Sage Summit 2011? This year’s conference hosted by Sage is geared toward both customers and consultants.

The game plan is for the consultants to roll in for the July 10-15, 2011 time period and the customers can arrive July 12-15. Once again a good time is promised to all (what’s not to love about a resort where it costs well under $5 to transfer from the airport to the front doorstep).

If you’re headed to Washington be sure you keep your ear to the ground to learn of everything that’s happening. All the usual suspects – Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube will be buzzing with activity as the date nears.

Where do you go to find the Social Media buzz around Summit 2011?

Here is a list of all the social media sites for Sage Summit 2011.

Promote away!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SageSummit

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sage_Summit

LinkedIn: http://events.linkedin.com/Sage-Summit-2011/pub/506615

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sage_summit/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SageSummitEvent

Lest we forget my favorite memories of Sage conferences of the past….

Skydiving in Orlando:

YouTube Preview Image

And a Eddie Money from the Orlando conference entertainment:

YouTube Preview Image

Sage Summit 2011 Social Media Sites

2011 Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Payroll Tax Tables Download Available

uncle sam MAS 90 Tax Tables.jpg

Sage have updated their payroll tax tables for 2011 to include the latest state tax information for Missouri as well as Puerto Rico.

You can look at what’s new in the latest Sage EPR MAS 90 or 200 payroll tax update for 2011 and consult with your tax advisor or Sage Business Partner as to whether you need to update your payroll tax tables (as well as the timing of when that should happen).

This payroll tax table update, dated 1/11/11, is available only via download and it’s only for those with a Sage Basic Maintenance plan. We strongly recommend you consult with your Sage Business Partner and Tax Professional on the application of these updates and  for any required assistance with checking the tax table updates have been installed properly and taken affect.

In most cases you may want to visit the IRS site and download the latest version of their official 2011 payroll tax table guide (Publication 15 aka IRS Circular E) which is useful for verifying that your computerized payroll tax calculations match against the IRS guidelines for 2011 payroll tax withholding.

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Tax Tables – 2011

50% off of your Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 Clientcare Reinstatement When You Enroll With Sage Payment Solutions

sage reinstatement mas90 promo.jpg

Sage just announced a promotion that might be of interest to some existing users of Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 who’ve let their maintenance lapse.

For a limited time Sage is offering 50% off Clientcare reinstatement, a $500 credit toward monthly payment transaction fees and the Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 Credit Card Processing module at no cost.

UPDATE: This promo applies to customers on at least version 4.10 of Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200. Computation of back maintenance is up to 2 years prior maintenance plus one year forward (which you can put onto Easy Pay  using your bank account as a drafting source with monthly installments).

Here’s further details on the offer via Sage:

The SPS promotion is 50% off the software update (lapsed fees) for a new SPS sign up. Sage is targeting customers whose last version shipped is 4.1. It is available to clients whose last version shipped is 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4. Here is how it works.

· 1/4/11 email campaign went to off plan 4.1 customers

· If the customer, off plan signs a 3 yr agreement with SPS, Sage will provide a 50% discount on the software update of their reinstatement.

· Customer will get Credit Card processing module at no charge (annual maintenance will apply)

· Up to $50/month for the first 10 months off transaction fees.

· Must start transacting within 90 days of acceptance.

· Applies to either integrated or non integrated solutions,(but discounts are different)

This promotion (click the image above for the details) runs from today through March 31, 2011. For more information you can contact your Sage Customer Account Manager at 877-541-1681, or your Sage Business Partner.

Be sure to mention promo code MS900P .

MAPADOC EDI Now Available For ERP Sage MAS 200 SQL 4.45

swk_logo_trans.jpg

SWK Technologies, a Sage Business Partner located in Livingston NJ announces the availability of their MAPADOC EDI processing for the newly released Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45.

According to SWK Technologies they are the only fully integrated EDI solution currently available for Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45. The company participated in the Sage beta program as a Gold Development Partner which gave them a head start to releasing the new version.

Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45 licenses are the same price as the Sage ERP MAS 200 client server. There is no additional Sage ERP MAS charge for the SQL version of the product. Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL is available for new license sales only with version 4.45. Current Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 customers, and Sage ERP MAS 200 for SQL 3.xx customers, will be able to choose to move to the SQL option with the 4.5 release, which will offer tools and a product-assisted upgrade path. 4.5 is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2011.

MAPADOC’s EDI Solution Beats Competition to Market with Total Integration for New Sage MAS 200 SQL Version 4.45

LIVINGSTON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MAPADOC EDI by SWK Technologies, Inc., an integrated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) software solution built specifically for Sage MAS 90, 200 and 500, is now available for the new Sage MAS 200 SQL Version 4.45. The announcement was made by Gary Berman, vice president of EDI for SWK.

“Our relationship with Sage, and our status as a Sage Software Authorized Business Partner and Sage Gold Development Partner enabled us to participate in the Sage Beta Program. This gave us the head start we needed to finish programming MAPADOC for SQL Version 4.45 in record time.”
“Based on our research, MAPADOC is the only fully integrated EDI solution currently available for Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45,” says Berman. “Our relationship with Sage, and our status as a Sage Software Authorized Business Partner and Sage Gold Development Partner enabled us to participate in the Sage Beta Program. This gave us the head start we needed to finish programming MAPADOC for SQL Version 4.45 in record time.”

According to Sage, 4.45 combines the features, ease of use and powerful customization of Sage ERP MAS with Microsoft SQL Server’s efficiency, scalability and flexibility. SQL provides IT professionals with their familiar Microsoft SQL Server environment for ad-hoc reporting, backup, data integrity and design tools. Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL offers product line stability and two decades of customer-driven enhancements from tens of thousands of installations. 4.45 includes the flexibility of highly customizable modern architecture, and the benefits of the established Sage ERP MAS ecosystem.

Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45 licenses are the same price as the Sage ERP MAS 200 client server. There is no additional Sage ERP MAS charge for the SQL version of the product. Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL is available for new license sales only with version 4.45. Current Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 customers, and Sage ERP MAS 200 for SQL 3.xx customers, will be able to choose to move to the SQL option with the 4.5 release, which will offer tools and a product-assisted upgrade path. 4.5 is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2011.

Full release

Why You Should Treat Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Service and Product Updates As Upgrades

I spent some time on Friday with an A+++++ level client who was on version 4.30 and a lower service level (the IRD is only applicable per Sage for level 4.3.17 and up). They used payroll and had some HIRE employees which meant they needed to upgrade their payroll module to print applicable tax forms for the 2010 year.

In a perfect world the client would schedule this work a month ahead of time. But they world of payroll isn’t perfect and enhancements and “patches” are often only available “one the fly” and at the last minute during the super hectic year end season.

The client was on a version 4.3 and service update 2 version of MAS 90. That’s where the problems start. For most clients the year end updating of their payroll files is done with what’s called an IRD or Interim Release Disk. This disk only updates the payroll features needed for year end processing.

Except for some reason Sage doesn’t allow any users on 4.30 with less than service update 17 installed to us an IRD. Instead these (unlucky) users are forced into a busy season upgrade.

Sage MAS 90 or 200 4.30.0.17 – 4.30.0.20:

http://infosource.sagesoftwareonline.com/sw_attach/sso/mas90/IRD/HowToInstall2010YearEndIRD.htm

If you are on version 4.30 and using any version lower than 4.3.17 it appears you are forced to go with a full service update (From this point on referred to as upgrades).

Sage Upgrades.jpg

Be advised that these service upgrades may often involve  an extremely time consuming data conversion process. During this process you will need exclusive access to Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200.

The conversion progress bars in my experience are not of much use because during certain times they (still) sit frozen and you’ll not know if you’re dealing with large data conversion or a damaged data file (have fun explaining to your client / staff that they need to stay out of the system for two hours while you stare at a static progress bar).

Sage’s only warning is to make a full data backup. Which in my experience (and that of clients)  is not much comfort when you have 15 people sitting waiting to know when to go back into their MAS 90 system after someone has kicked off what’s billed as a relatively easy update.

No longer.

Going forward all service updates, product updates – or patches of any kind need to be treated as full system upgrades.

I recommend:

1. Only apply service and product upgrades when you have 1 to 4 hours of exclusive access where NOBODY in any part of the company will access MAS 90 or MAS 200.

2. Make a FULL data backup immediately before your upgrade – just having a backup from the prior night won’t be good enough because if your system experiences an issue then you will loose all data entry since the last backup point.

3. Keep all users out of the system for the duration of the system upgrade.

4. Only apply product and service upgrades as part of a pre-planned upgrade — never apply on a whim.

When Should You Load The MAS90 2011 Tax Table Update?

mas90 tax table update 2011.jpg

Several people have asked when they should load the 2011 tax table update for MAS 90 and MAS 200 payroll.

As you may know one of the hidden gotcha’s of printing W2 forms via MAS 90 and MAS 200 payroll is the system uses the current FICA/MEDICARE maximum limits for determining how much goes into each FICA/MEDICARE box. For employees over the maximum limit at which tax is assessed MAS 90 simply supplies the current maximum rate from the FED tax table.

Update 1-11-2011: New Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 2011 Tax Tables

At first glance since there is no limit change for the FICA/MEDICARE this year many users determined that it didn’t matter when they loaded the tables (ie – Before or after preparing quarterlies and W2 forms).

Turns out according to Jim Woodhead over at DSD Business Systems that if you load the tax tables early your 941 form will show an incorrect overpaid status due to the 941 form using the NEW rate for employee FICA (4.2% for 2011). the solution is to manually change the FICA rate back to 6.2% while printing your 941 forms.

PS – Don’t forget to change it back to 4.2% when you’re done printing.

DSD Business Systems

Using Extended Solutions? Sage ERP MAS Q4 2010 IRD (Interim Release Disk) Requires These Updates

sage mas90 and mas200 disks.jpg

Sage have issued their 2010 Q4 IRD (Interim Release Disk) which is a download available for users of supported Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 accounting software who need to update the tax processing aspects of their system.

For supported versions of Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 (versions 4.x +) this primarily involves changes to the 1099, Electronic Reporting and Payroll Reporting modules. There are other changes included in the IRD as well. Here’s a copy of Sage’s 2010 MAS90 and MAS200 Year End Reporting Instructions.

However if you are using any third party enhancements you must first check with your developer prior to installing the IRD. These enhancements also include any pre-written Extended Solutions (whether sold to you directly by Sage or by a third party developer after Sage exited the Extended Solution business).

Sage’s list of Extended Solutions requiring an upgrade centers primarily around Payroll module enhancements though there are numerous Sales Order (version 4.3) that may require updating as well.

One popular enhancement, PR-1017 Direct Deposit Interface, is noted as requiring an upgrade by any users of the enhancement who are also on version 4.0 to 4.2 of Sage EPR MAS 90 or MAS 200.

Prior to installing this IRD please speak to your Sage Business Partner, speak to any third party solution providers whose applications you’re using and review this list from Sage of Extended Solutions Requiring Upgrade prior to installing the IRD for Q4 2010.

CT Stops Mailing Tax Forms To Individual Taxpayers

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) today announced that the agency will no longer directly mail tax booklets to individual taxpayers. This change was made due to the continued growth of electronic income tax filing, and to reduce mailing and printing costs for the agency. The IRS and several other states have recently made similar decisions.

Taxpayers that still need a booklet will be able to obtain one from their local library, post office, or town hall shortly after the beginning of the new year, or they may download forms and instructions from the DRS website at www.ct.gov/DRS.

Last filing season, 1.6 million personal income tax returns were filed with DRS DRS estimates that of the 1.6 million, approximately 125,000 returns, or 8%, were attributable to mailed books.

Electronic filing of income tax returns has grown rapidly during the past few years. Last year, more than 1.2 million tax returns were filed electronically.

In addition to downloading paper forms at www.ct.gov/DRS, taxpayers can learn about locations where tax booklets will be available, electronic filing through the state’s free Taxpayer Service Center, and other electronic filing methods like Fed/State e-file and tax preparation software. The site also offers information about the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for low income individuals and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.

via – CT Department of Revenue Services

link – Download CT Individual Tax Forms – 2010

How To Process Payroll Before W2′s Are Printed Within Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200

This year the rates have changed for the 2011 FICA however the wage limits remained stable. This has caused a few people over on the MAS 90 LinkedIn group to question the correct procedure for printing W2 forms.

As you may be aware one of the hidden “gotcha’s” of the Payroll processing is that when you print W2 forms in Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 that the CURRENT FICA/Medicare limits are used to establish the maximum wages subject to each tax which prints on the W2 form.

Since tax tables are shared globally across all your Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 companies – simply copying the current company code to a backup isn’t enough. You also must be aware of what the tax limits are for at least FICA and Medicare because those limits can impact W2 printing for those exceeding them.

If the FICA or MEDICARE limits are changing in the next year — AND you install the tax tables BEFORE printing the last year’s W2 forms then you run the risk of the W2 form (for those exceeding FICA and/or Medicare) printing the maximum wage limit that’s included in your next year tax table instead of the limits for the year just passed.

Regina Gutcher, a Sage Customer Support Specialist, provided the following guidance on this LinkedIn discussion:

The recommended procedure if you need to run a 2011 payroll before printing 2010 W-2s is:

1. Back up all Payroll data.
2. Create a new company code in Company Maintenance. Copy Company to copy P/R, C/I and G/L (and Job Cost, if integrated).
3.. Run year-end for the original company.
4. Install the updated 2011 tax tables.
5.. Process payroll for the original company for the current year.
6.. Before printing the W-2s, install last year’s tax tables(2010) and access the Copy Company.
7. Reinstall the updated tax tables when finished.

Keep in mind that FICA is not the only limit we need to be concerned about when printing W-2s. For some states, the limits for State Disability or State Unemployment may also need to be printed on the W-2.

via: LinkedIn

Join MAS90 LinkedIn Group

Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Product Brochures (Download)

mas90 and mas200 brochures.jpg

Are you looking for brochures, what’s new guides, enhancement summaries, and other printed publications describing the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 products?

Sage have compiled a nice listing of all their printed media — which now is available for download as PDF files for easier (and faster) viewing as well as the ability to share with friends (they make great Christmas gifts too!).

Visit Sage’s MAS 90 and MAS 200 Brochure and Whitepaper site

Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 Product Update 4 – What’s New

Sage just uploaded their latest product update for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.4. This release was previously announced as containing fixes centered around the year end processing time.

Instead of introducing new features which might carry pesky bugs and increase support burdens – Sage have wisely decided that product update 4 will primarily be to fix open issues as well as add any needed functionality for those closing the year and preparing year end governmental reporting.

Here’s a concise summary of what you can expect in product update 4.

MAS90 and MAS200 4.4 Product Update 4 What’s New

MAS90 News Alerts – Updated For 2011

Starting with the January 15, 2010 issue of the Schulz Consulting Email newsletter we will switch from publishing twice monthly to publishing an email newsletter just once a month on the 15th.

We are expanding the ways that you can stay up-to-date with news from Schulz Consulting and continue to post regularly to the following locations which will carry the same news as what you are reading on our web site.

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

You can continue to visit Schulz Consulting for the latest news and analysis about MAS 90 and MAS 200. Or if you prefer to continue receiving alerts as we post news to our website – we suggest you visit Google’s Feedburner and sign up for free email alerts. Using this service you’ll receive a notification via email every time we post a news item on our web page.

Google will also allow you to subscribe to our feed in your favorite RSS reader (If you’re not sure what RSS is – here’s a link from Wikipedia which explains it).

We also post MAS 90 news items from our web site automatically to:

MAS 90 LinkedIN Group

Facebook Schulz Consulting Group

Twitter

via: MAS 90 Newsletter Update

MAS90 and MAS200 2010 IRD Tax and Reporting Update Instructions (How To)

mas90 IRD 2010 update tax tables.jpg

Sage North America have released their IRD (Interim Release Disk) which contain year end program changes for Accounts Payable and Payroll modules. These changes add functionality to the ERP system which allow for processing according to updated federal and state government regulations concerning 1099, W-2 and other tax forms.

The IRD contains year end program changes for AP and PR and common files for the following versions:

  • Sage ERP MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.40
  • Sage ERP MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.40 with PU 1
  • Sage ERP MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.40 with PU 2
  • Sage ERP MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.40 with PU 3
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.30 with SU 17
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.30 with SU 18
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.30 with SU 19
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.30 with SU 20
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.20
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.10
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.05
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 Versions 4.00
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 SQL Versions 3.74
  • Sage MAS 90 / 200 SQL Versions 3.73

Payroll Update 2nd Quarter

If you have installed the Product Update 3 for version 4.40 these changes have been included in the final released product.

A download with payroll updates for Federal 941 2nd quarter 2010 was made available via the website. This payroll update included adding a new data table, program and form changes to adhere to the Federal requirements under the 2010 Hire Act used for reporting employer exemptions for qualified employees. If you have installed the Product Update 3 for version 4.40 these changes have been included in the final released product.

Some changes included in the Payroll Update.

  • Qualified (W-11) checkbox added to employee maintenance.
  • PR_QExxx.soa data table.
  • Update and 941 program change logic.
  • 2010 2nd QTR 941 form change logic.

Note: For details refer to PR3035-KBA available on
http://www.sagesoftwareonline.com/eServices/Main/frmLogin.aspx

Electronic Reporting for MAS90 and MAS200

  • 1099 Electronic Reporting has been modified according to the Internal Revenue Service’s 2010 Publication 1220.
  • W2 Electronic Reporting has been modified according to the SSA 2010 Specifications for Filing Form W-2 Electronically.

Qualified Employee Worksheet and Report

  • A Qualified Employee Worksheet and Report has been installed to the reports directory. This report is a visual display of the PR_QExxx.soa table that was created to capture data for reporting of qualified employees.
  • The report only displays for employees that have been selected as Qualified in employee maintenance.
  • The amounts on this report do not reflect the FICA limits.
  • The number of qualified employees per quarter is calculated at runtime. This number is not retained in a data file when printing the 941.

To download the latest Sage MAS90 and MAS200 IRD visit the Sage Software Online Support Site (valid maintenance subscription and login required)

Sage ERP MAS90 and MAS200 Year End 2010 Reporting Tips and Instructions (W2, 1099, Closing, Tax Tables)

Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Tax Table Download For 2011 – Available New

Sage have just released round one of their tax table updates for 2011. Due to late breaking tax changes you may need to download additional table updates if your local (or federal) government provides additional data on rates or changes after these tables have been downloaded.

UPDATE January 1, 2013: Click here for information on the latest Sage 100 ERP 2013 payroll tax updates

Here’s what the latest tables include (all information is per Sage’s online knowledgebase and subject to change – always verify rates and rules with your tax advisor or your states tax site. Schulz Consulting is NOT in the business of rendering tax or accounting advise and disclaims all results from use of the information below. THE INFORMATION CAN CHANGE FREQUENTLY – ALWAYS VERIFY THAT YOU HAVE THE LATEST CORRECT DATA).

Changes include:

Federal Withholding tables updated as of 12/23/2010 (Tip: Always check the first payroll run manually)
Federal Dependent Exemption – $ 3,700
Federal Non-Resident Alien Wage adjustment increase – $2,100
Federal EMPLOYEE FICA rate decrease to 4.2%
Federal EIC Advance payment of earned income credit (EIC) expries 12/31/10

STATES

Hawaii – Dependent exemption increase to $1,144
Maryland – Withholding tax tables changed per rules
Maine – Revised: Nonresident alien wage adjustment for married decreases – $5,800
North Dakota – Withholding tax tables changed per rules
North Dakota – Dependent exemption increase
Oklahoma – Withholding tax tables changed per rules

Changes Implemented 12/17/2010:

Alaska – Unemployment insurance wage base increase to $34,600
Alaska – Employee UI tax rate increase to .58%
Arizona – New filing status G – .8%
California – Withholding tax tables updated as of 12/17/2010
California – Standard deduction increase – $7,340 and $3,670
California – Personal exemption increase- 108.90
California – Low income exemption increase – 24,364 and 12,182
California SDI rate increase (taxable wage base remains $93,316 and 1.2%
Hawaii Temporary disability insurance wage base decrease Annual – 45,983.08 – Week – 884.29
Hawaii UI wage base decrease 34,200
Iowa UI wage base increase 24,700
Illinois UI wage base increase 12,740
Indiana UI wage base increase 9,500
Kentucky Standard exemption increase 2,240
Maine Withholding tax tables
Maine Filing Statuses added for Nonresident Alien – Single (NRS) and Nonresident Alien – Married (NRM)
Michigan Dependent exemption increase 3,700
Minnesota Withholding tax tables
Minnesota Withholding allowance increase 3,700
Mississippi UI wage base increase 14,000
Montana UI wage base increase 26,300
North Dakota UI wage base increase 25,500
New Hampshire UI wage base increase 12,000
New Jersey UI wage base decrease 29,600
New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) wage decrease 29,600
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI) wage base decrease 29,600
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI) contribution rate decrease .06%
New Mexico UI wage base increase 21,900
Nevada UI wage base decrease 26,600
Oklahoma UI wage base increase 18,600
Oregon Withholding tax tables
Oregon Filling Statuses added for wages over $50,000:
M1 Married
S2 Single with less than 3 allowances
S3 Single with 3 or more allowances

Oregon Dependent exemption increase 179
Oregon Standard deduction increase Married 3,960
Single 1,980
Oregon UI wage base increase 32,300
Rhode Island Withholding tax tables
Rhode Island Dependent exemption decrease 1,000
Rhode Island Supplemental rate decrease 5.99%
Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) wage base increase 58,400
Rhode Island TDI rate increase 1.3%
South Carolina UI wage base increase 10,000
South Dakota UI wage base increase 11,000
Utah UI wage base increase 28,600
Vermont UI wage base increase 13,000
Washington UI wage base increase 37,300
Wisconsin UI wage base increase 13,000
Wyoming UI wage base decrease 22,300

LINKS:

Current list from Sage of all payroll tax table changes

Instructions on downloading the tax tables for MAS 90 and MAS 200 (These updates may be used for Library Master versions 4.x and 3.72, 3.73 and 3.74).

Multi-Bin for MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 Available

mas90 multibin.jpg

Sage partner Hightower Inc have just announced that their Multi-Bin for Sage ERP MAS90 and MAS200 version 4.4 is available.

The feature adds the ability to track multiple bin locations per warehouse for specific MAS 90 or MAS 200 inventory items as described below:

Inventory Management
The Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 Inventory Management module provides receipt of goods data, the movement of goods within or between locations, the sale, removal of goods, and the precise valuation and status of goods remaining in inventory at any point in time. When integrated with Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution, you will be able to track multiple bin locations per warehouse per item.

Sales Order
With the Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200 Sales Order module, you’ll know the availability of specific units in inventory, or alternate items if an item is out of stock, specific customer pricing, customer credits, and much more, while entering orders. With Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution, you can mark inventory items involved in sales orders as allocated. Allocated inventory items are not available for purchase by other customers until you release the items.

Purchase Order
Streamline and organize your entire purchasing process – track shipping methods, track the date a purchase is required, track the name of person that places the order, and confirm the quantity ordered and the price. Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution modifies the Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200 Purchase Order module to utilize bin locations for receipt of inventory items. Bin locations are also utilized for return of goods and material requisition entries.

Bill of Materials
Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 Bill of Materials allows you to easily create and maintain a detailed bill of components and miscellaneous charges that make up your finished items and subassembly components. Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution module integrates with Bill of Materials so bin quantities can be tracked throughout the production and disassembly processes.

Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA)
With RMA, once an item is returned, Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 will automatically generate all appropriate transactions, including credit memos, replacement orders, purchase orders, and vendor returns. Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution integrates with the Return Merchandise Authorization module so that quantity can be distributed to bins before transactions are generated.

Work Order
Issue work orders, develop schedules, and track costs associated with the manufacturing process. Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 Work Orders gives you the ability to see up-to-the-minute work in process information. The Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution module integrates with Work Order so bin distributions can be entered and updated along with each work order entry.

Bar Code
With Bar Code, collect data more quickly than ever before – warehouse and shipping/receiving staff can record bar coded items with a scanner and data is downloaded to Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200. Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution modifies the Bar Code module by expanding the import files to include bin locations.

via: Multi-Bin for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200

MAS90 or MAS200 issue solved: Tiny or small fonts. Missing icon images.

Have you installed MAS90 or MAS200 to a new Windows 7 computer and now you’re noticing:
- The fonts seem too small – but only in MAS?
- Missing icon images

jim woodhead DSD Business Systems.jpg

I just had a client call on this yesterday and Jim Woodhead of DSD Business Systems – and one of the members of my 90 Minds Consulting group- has of course leaped to the rescue with this observation:

In order to fix it, you need to change the DPI setting back to the default settings (96 Pixels Per Inch/100%). Here are detailed instructions for Window 7/Vista followed by Win XP.

Full details:

Are you missing the images/icons on the MAS90 or MAS200 Taskbar Launcher?

Free SpeedTax Sales Tax Annual Filing Through December 19, 2010

free sales tax return processing.jpg

If you hate filing sales tax returns as much as most people – check this offering from SpeedTax. They’re an outsourced sales tax processing service that integrates to MAS90 and MAS200 accounting software to provide accurate sales tax calculations.

If you think the federal government isn’t looking to recoup every penny of tax owed them to make up for budget shortfalls — then just keep preparing your sales tax manually.

If however you think increased tax compliance is part of the “new normal” you might leave sales tax computation and return preparation to the professionals.

Through December 19, 2010 Speed Tax has this special offer:

SpeedTax Will Prepare Your Annual Tax Filing at NO COST!

Sign up for SpeedTax Plus Returns and Remittance Service by 12/19/10 and We’ll Prepare Your Annual Filing at NO COST!

More businesses than ever before are choosing to outsource their sales and use tax returns and remittance burden to SpeedTax, because our service is easy to use, affordable, and technologically advanced, keeping your business up-to-date on nearly 17,000 jurisdictions nationwide, and allowing you to offload the most tedious, time-consuming, resource-intensive sales tax-related tasks to us. Now is the time to outsource your rapidly expanding sales tax burden and risk to SpeedTax.

For more info:

SpeedTax Sales Tax Preparation

MAS90 Upgrade Tip Of The Day: Load Your Hot Fixes

mas90 hotfixes.jpg

Here’s a quick tip as we enter the busy year end time.

When you are upgrading your MAS90 or MAS200 ERP software – be sure that after you install the latest product updates that you go back to this chart and download all the hot fixes.

Sage issues one product update (the last was product update 3 dated 9/27/10) which contain a whole slew of new features as well as bug fixes (read about the MAS90 & MAS200 product update 3 features here).

What many users who self-install the product updates don’t realize is that Sage does not automatically keep the product update bundle updated for any subsequent fixes.

So if you install Product Update 3 and there’s a bug fix issued you must manually add that fix (termed a Hot Fix) to your system.

The first thing you’ll want to do is read here about how to tell which MAS90 hot fixes have already been installed.

Then navigate online to this link and download any (or all) of the hot fixes you deem required.

Sage ERP MAS 90 & MAS 200: 2010 Year End FAQ – Payroll, 1099

sage mas90 year end FAQ.jpg

Sage Software have just published their 2010 year end frequently asked questions about payroll and 1099 processing. This 6 page guide contains answers to the following questions:

1. Do I need to download the 2010 Interim Release Download (IRD)?

2. Do I need to download the 2010 IRD if I’m using the Federal and State eFiliing and Reporting feature?

3. When will the year end Sage EPR MAS 90 and MAS 200 Federal and State eFiling and Reporting updates be available?

4. When will the year end Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 be available?

5. Will I be required to print my W-3 on the red, preprinted form when using Federal and State eFiling and Reporting?

6. How will the year end Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 be made available to Customers, Business Partners or Sage Accountants Network members?

7. I do not have access to the Internet from my Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 server. How can I obtain the year end Interim Release Download program update and TTU to install them on my server?

8. How can I obtain the TTU or IRD if I do not own a current Subscription plan?

9. I’ve never been to Sage MAS Supprot, and I don’t know if anyone else from my company has either. What do I do to get a login and access the information I need?

10. After I downloaded the TTU and IRD, do I install it on my workstation or on my server?

11. We file Local Withholding Tax on our W-2s and we’re using Federal and State eFiling and Reporting, what extra steps do I need to take?

12. What changes were applied to the Electronic Reporting Module?

13. Previously, I’ve filed employees W-2′s via Magnetic Media. Are there any changes?

14. I’m supposed to electronically file my W-2s in the EFW2 format, so why does Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 show a MMREF-1 format?

15. For companies who must print 1099 forms, are changes required this year?

16. I was formerly required to file Form 1099′s via Magnetic Media, but now need to file 1099′s via Electronic Reporting using the Internet. What do I need to know?

17. Where can I find information on how to do year end processing for any module?

18. Where can I purchase W-2 and 1099 forms 100% compatible with my Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 software?

19. I have an Extended Solution enhancement. Will I need to update it after installing the 2010 Interim Release Download?

20. I am using Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.45 and need to file 1099s. What do I need to do?

21. Does the IRD contain changes to Payroll to support the Qualified Employee Reporting as allowed by the HIRE Act?

22. What is new in eFiling and Reporting this year?

23. Will the IRD be included in a Product Update or Service Update?

Sage MAS 90 and 200 2010 Year End FAQs 11-15-10

Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL Overview and Available Modules

Last week I picked up on a Tweet from Alok Tyagi who is the VP of R&D for Sage North America and responsible for their mid-market enterprise products. He announced that MAS 200 4.5 RDB (aka MAS200 SQL) has been RTM.

RTM is not-so-secret code for “Release To Manufacturing” – aka being done and ready to ship.

mas200 sql rtm alok.jpg

In honor of the RTM of Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL v4.5 – Sage has issued a one page capabilities brochure that officially outlines the modules which will be available in the SQL release.

As expected the available modules include those from Sage which are already at the 4.x standards. The complete list is:

Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Bank Reconciliation
General Ledger
Crystal Reports
Custom Office
eBusiness Web Services
Paperless Office
Visual Integrator
Bar Code
Bill of Materials
Credit Card Processing
Inventory Management
Purchase Order
Return Merchandise Authorization
Sales Order
Sales Tax by Avalara
StarShip Freight
StarShip Parcel

The full brochure is availabe below:

Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL Overview and Available Modules

How To Recover A Lost MAS90 PC Charge Password

password.jpg

Today I had a client who lost both the MANAGER and SYSTEM passwords for their Verifone PC Charge credit card processing. This is the server software that integrates to MAS 90 and MAS 200 and provides credit card processing.

OBSERVATION: In many cases a better credit card processing solution is Sage Payment Solutions. Clients have found the rates are competitive. But what many people don’t realize (and it’s a BIG bonus) is that if you use Sage’s Payment Solutions you can also implement the embedded credit card processing as opposed to having to load and maintain a separate PC Charge system (My contact at Sage Payment is Rob Ullman – rullmann@sagepayments.com).

However this post is about recovering a lost PC Charge password – so here’s how. Unfortunately it requires a call to Verifone ((877) 659-8981 ) and using one of your support cases.

TIP: I strongly recommend that you subscribe to the VERIFONE support plan (cost of $139 per year) or you must first call into Sage technical support (which unless your issue is a connection to MAS problem will be a complete waste of time in my experience). All that Sage will do is spend an hour troubleshooting followed by another hour trying to figure out who to call at Verifone. Skip this time wasting effort in frustration and just pay VERIFONE the $139 and then you can call direct and skip the cumbersome middleman. Obviously if you have a problem connecting Sage MAS to PC Charge then start with Sage first — however if your issue is with PC Charge (setup of new merchants, connectivity, cryptic PC Charge messages) then skip Sage and subscribe to VERIFONE.

Within PC Charge two main password types control functionality as follows:

SYSTEM – Allows you to add/change users (including password changes)
MANAGER – Provides access to cashier functions.

These are the two basic accounts. Naturally you may have other accounts that you’ve created on your PC Charge setup.

Here’s The Procedure For Retrieving a Lost PC Charge Password

Verifone sends you a security.pcc file with a special password. This file is tied to your PC Charge serial number so don’t get any ideas that you’ll be unlocking other PC Charge systems with it. If it’s running, shut down PC Charge. Copy and drop the file into the ACTIVE -CHARGE folder on your server.

Verifone emails you a password. Enter in the special password (it’s on the email header and in the email body) once to get access to the CASHIER area. From there you can unlock and change passwords (TIP: if you don’t know the password for the MANAGER — which you probably don’t — just double click the MANAGER name and PC Charge displays a dialog box that contains a blanked out password. It’s going to look filled in but type over it and give it a new password).

General PC Charge Password Rules:

At least 7 characters
One cap
One special
One number

You’ll be prompted every 90 days for a new password – have client write down…..

Sage Common Payroll Announced For MAS200 SQL, MAS500, ABRA, ERP X3 and ACCPAC

sage common payroll .jpg

Sage today made official that they’ll be rolling out a common payroll based on their SData communication protocol. This common payroll fills a hole in the Sage MAS 200 SQL release (due November 2010) where legacy (non 4.x standard modules which include payroll) cannot be used with the MAS 200 SQL release.

By creating a common payroll solution Sage hopes to cut down development costs that are soaring as the government continues to change employer tax laws. Each change in tax law requires Sage to update payroll (usually at the very end of the year when everyone is busiest), test the changes, and quickly distribute those upgrades to end users.

Under the Sage Common Payroll initiative the ACCPAC SQL Payroll will be used by at least four Sage products (ABRA SQL v10.1, MAS500 v7.3, ERP X3 v6.1, MAS200 SQL 4.45).

Integration levels will vary depending upon product with only Accpac and ABRA receiving level 3 or very robust integration.

Here’s Sage’s Official Announcement:

Common Payroll is the Sage ERP Accpac payroll module which has been enhanced to become a best-of-breed SQL Server-based payroll that can serve the needs of many of our Sage North America customers. With over 4000 payroll customers in the US and Canada, the Sage ERP Accpac payroll module has a strong track record of providing value to small and medium sized businesses.

Using Sage ERP Accpac payroll as the foundation and the new common sData communication protocol to facilitate connectivity, the new Common Payroll module will offer the tightest level of integration possible between payroll and all of our ERP solutions.

How will a Common Payroll support Sage’s strategy to maximize our assets and reduce redundancies? One example lies in the hundreds of new tax changes that are mandated each year. In 2009 there were more than 200 changes released and that number is expected to increase in 2010. To keep on top of these changes, Sage spends a great deal of money each year to maintain our 12 unique payroll modules, and in some cases, multiple versions for each product. Imagine how much we could accomplish by removing this redundancy of effort, provide the updates in a form that could be used by all our products, and instead leverage our resources to provide customers with greater value, such as new connected services. And because the payroll-related connected services such employee benefit services would only need to be developed once, it would mean they could be made available immediately to all our customers with little to no incremental effort required by individual product teams.

The Common Payroll initiative also supports our goal for providing an Extraordinary Customer Experience as we focus our efforts on developing a single best-of-breed solution that surpasses the functionality and ease of use found in our current payroll modules. This new, unified payroll module will not only scale as a business grows, but if a customer needs to upgrade to another Sage ERP (enterprise resource planning) product, the payroll data will seamlessly migrate.

Common Payroll integration will soon be on the roadmaps for many of our other products, so stay tuned for details. You can rest assured that the native payroll module will continue to be enhanced, sold and supported for those products where it doesn’t make sense to adopt a common payroll.

The Common Payroll integration is an important step toward achieving our objectives and providing your clients with greater value. Projects like Common Payroll not only generate substantial savings and leverage best practices, but enable us to deliver a common experience to our mutual clients.

Sage Summit Customer Virtual Event Registration Now Live

sage summit virtual event.jpg

Sage Software North America has just opened registration for their online Sage Summit Virtual Event to be held on November 18, 2010 from 10am to 1pm ET. This three hour session features an update from Sue Swenson, CEO Sage North America. In addition those customers attending are being asked to review up to 40 different pitches for sessions that they’d like to see presented at the official Summit 2011 conference in Washington DC July 10-15, 2011.

According to the Sage Summit Virtual Event registration page customers will view brief presentations made by product managers and then vote (How voting works) on whether they’d like to see those presentations made into full sessions to be delivered in July at the Summit Conference.

sage summit virtual speakers.jpg

Sage Summit is the conference for the Sage community – bringing customers and partners together for the first time ever. The conference will take place July 10-15, 2011, in Washington, DC. This gives you an unprecedented opportunity to interact with customers more closely than ever before.

sage Summit Virtual Agenda.jpg

The agenda listed by Sage appears to be subject to change as at least one executive listed, Jodi Uecker-Rust, has departed Sage and is not likely to be making an appearance.

Gathering customers together to vote on sessions for an upcoming conference is a new idea for Sage. This is the first time we’ve seen it done and clearly this looks to be a way for Sage to continue to test the virtual conferencing waters.  Sage previously hosted a Connecting The Dots virtual exhibit on September 28 which seemed to use similar online conference technology.

If you’re a Sage customer who is on the fence about attending Sage Summit 2011 in Washington DC – this is a good way for you to get a feel for and vote on some of the topics that would be covered at the full conference in July 2011.

More From The Sage Site:

To provide a robust education experience, Sage customers are invited to attend a complimentary virtual event on Thursday, November 18, where they can preview a sampling of the sessions, vote on the topics, and share their thoughts on how we can make Summit 2011 really work for them. Registration is now open, so be sure to spread the word about this one of a kind opportunity your customers won’t want to miss!

Sage Summit Virtual Event Registration – November 18, 2010

Moving MAS90 Paperless Office Files

If you’re moving the location of your existing Sage MAS90 or MAS200 accounting system – don’t forget that you will also need to move any related paperless office PDF files.

And dragging and dropping those files won’t work. You have to make sure that MAS 90 or MAS 200 both knows the new location (updated in paperless maintenance) and that each paperless office document record is updated with new location data.

Luckily Sage provides a way to do this via the viewer menu (other methods seem to be hit or miss and the viewer move is what’s always worked best for me).

Here’s a document that one of my 90 Minds group members uncovered and it’s the procedure that I’ve had the most luck with on version 4.3+ of MAS90.

Paperless Office Move Directions

via: 90Minds Consulting Group

What’s New In The Latest MAS90 – MAS200 Upgrade or Product Update?

whats new mas90 upgrade mas200.jpg

One of the frequent questions that users of MAS90 and MAS200 will have prior to upgrading is “what’s changed?”. It’s a pretty common — and smart — question that you’ll want the answer to prior to installing either a major upgrade (moving up a point or full version) or a product update.

Major upgrades are considered to be any that move you up a version of the software. For example moving from MAS90 3.71 to 4.40 would be a major upgrade since during the move you also have pretty significant changes to General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Sales Order, Inventory, RMA, Purchase Order and Bank Reconciliation.

Once you reach level 4.40 then the upgrades will start to be intermingled with what Sage terms Product Updates.

In theory these Product Updates are user installable collections of both product fixes and new features. Presently Sage have released three product updates for MAS90 4.4 (Product Update or PU 1,2,3).

Curious about what’s been added in each version of these upgrades or updates? Sage embeds a web link within the latest version of MAS90 4.4. However if you’ve not yet installed the upgrade then you may have some trouble locating the link to answer your “what’s new” questions.

Therefor you can use the link below to navigate directly to the web page chronicling every enhancement added to MAS 90 from version 3.50 to 4.40 Product Update 3.

MAS90 Enhancements

Suggest A MAS90 or MAS200 Enhancement

suggest mas90 enhancement.jpg

Do you have an idea for an improvement that you’d like to make to Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 accounting software. If you have your MAS 90/200 system already opened then you can use the link that’s included in the Information Center – Tell Us What You Think.

Or if you’re like me and the ideas often come to you when you are not in front of your MAS 90 system then use the link below to travel to the Sage site that accepts enhancement requests.

Suggest a MAS90 enhancement to Sage

MAS 90 Address Cleanup Utility: Convert Mixed Case To All Upper or Lower Case

mas90 uppercase utility sage.jpg

If you’ve ever had more than one person manage the entry of customers and vendor addresses then you may have run into an issue where the address block is partly capitalized.

For example you may notice that the name and street address are in lowercase while the city and state portion are in all uppercase. This might be because Sage performs an automatic lookup on the city/state based on the zip code you enter. When the city and state information is found it will be inserted to your system using either all uppercase or mixed (upper and lower) — depending upon the option you set.

The problem that can occur is when the person doing the data entry is entering a customer or vendor address in all capital letters while the zip code lookup is filling the city/state information in mixed case (or vice versa).

Luckily as Brett Zimmerman from my 90 Minds Consulting Group points out — there is a fix! Check the link below for the directions and utility (included free with MAS 90 and MAS 200) to correct the address capitalizations in MAS 90 or MAS 200.

MAS90 Address Capitalization Utility

Sage Summit Virtual Event – November 18

sage virtual event.jpg

I’ve no idea how you sign up for this virtual event however I finally spotted a link to the information that Sage is emailing announcing a November 18 virtual gathering of customers. In case you’ve missed the news this year Sage customers and partners will come together in one united conference down in Washington DC. Looks as if this virtual gathering, which comes on the heels of Sage’s Connecting the Dots virtual trade show, is intended for customers and will provide a sneak peek at some content and an option to vote on which sessions should be featured at the conference.

Here’s part of the announcement:

Sage Summit is the conference for the Sage community—bringing customers and partners together for the first time ever. The conference will take place July 12 – 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. This gives you an unprecedented opportunity to interact with customers more closely than ever before.

In order to provide a robust education experience, Sage customers will be invited to attend a complimentary virtual event on November 18th where they can preview a sampling of the sessions, VOTE on the topics and share their thoughts on how we can make Summit 2011 really work for them. So be sure to spread the word about this one of a kind opportunity your customers won’t want to miss!

Sage Summit Virtual Event
Thursday, November 18, 2010

Via: Blytheco

Jodi Uecker-Rust Out At Sage

jodi uecker-rust.jpg

This morning we noticed a huge spike in search traffic centered around the name “Jodi Uecker-Rust”. Just as I was about to send out emails trying to see if there may be some personnel changes at Sage North America news broke that the President of Sage Business Solutions, Jodi Uecker-Rust has left the company for personal reasons.

So far as I can tell this news hadn’t leaked in advance of the announcement although we spotted search traffic picking up around Jodi’s name based on the post we’d done questioning why she was only an interim leader when she joined Sage back in February 2009.

Jodi is what could be termed a “heavy hitter” in the world of accounting software. She spent her career working first for Great Plains Software and ultimately Microsoft (who acquired Great Plains). For a period of time she was very widely considered to be the # 2 in command behind former Great Plains leader Doug Burgum. Jodi was a key player in the acquisition of Navision by Microsoft and even moved her family overseas for a period of time to oversee the deal. She retired early from Microsoft in 2004 to devote time to some non-profit organizations that she was involved in.

In an email sent to the channel by Paul Johnson, EVP Sage Business Solutions and Tom Miller, VP Channel Management – the departure is stated as for “personal reasons”. Both Tom and Paul go on to say that a replacement is expected to be named for Jodi in the near future.

Strangely the notice of such a key departure doesn’t come from Sue Swenson, CEO but rather from executives who reported to Jodi. I have an email into the folks at Sage Public Relations and will update this post as more information is available.

Update from Sage PR -

To get directly to your question, the message came from Paul and Tom because they have been the principal senior-level communication links to the business partner community so we felt that they were the appropriate ones to inform the partners in this case, too. I hope that helps to clarify.

Text of Jodi Uecker-Rust Departure Letter As President Sage Business Solutions – 10-5-2010:

Thank you for being a valued business partner and for your commitment to Sage.

I joined Sage for numerous reasons that were important to me…the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, the exposure to new learning, and the challenge to grow both personally and professionally. Yet at the core of that decision was my knowledge that you, our dedicated partners, were indeed the cornerstone of our past and future success, and that Sage is fully committed to that partnership.

Over the past 20 years I have always believed and passionately supported the fact that you are the key to ensuring customer success. This week I will be departing Sage continuing to believe in you and your entrepreneurial spirit. Please know it is a bittersweet decision for me to leave Sage at this time when the momentum is clearly positive; but for personal reasons, it is the right time.

We are fortunate at Sage that we have “partners” in our blood, and I am confident in the knowledge that the Sage leadership team will continue to partner with you for long term success.

Thank you again for your commitment to Sage, congratulations on a successful year, and best wishes for an even brighter year ahead.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Applianz and ScionASP for MAS 90 and MAS 200

applianz.jpg

For some users the thought of purchasing, configuring, maintaining their own in-house servers is a nightmare. Smaller companies without IT departments and divisions of large companies often look to outsource or host their server infrastructure – engaging a third party to either rent them a server off-sit or to provide them with an all-in-one box that promises low or no maintenance.

Applianze and ScionASP are two solutions available for remote hosting of Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200. This nice update was shared by Brett Zimmerman of my 90Minds group. While the data is a few years old Brett has many helpf comments from his reasearch that he’s shared.

Use the information from these notes as your starting point in doing your research. Remember the pricing is from a year or so ago and some of the answers to Brett’s questions may have changed however the notes will serve as a nice starting point for anyone researching a hosted MAS 90 solution.

Hosted MAS 90 Options

MAS 90 Hot Fixes Now Log Their Status

mas90 hot fixes.jpg

When you install product updates to your Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 the system automatically keeps track of which update you’ve installed. To view this information simply select “Help” and “About” from your menu.

Up until now tracking the status of minor patches, aka hot fixes, has been problematic. There’s not been an easy way to know if someone has loaded a certain fix to your system.

While you could compare program file dates between systems and track down changes that way – most people find that procedure too cumbersome.

Now Sage will create a folder — \mas90\home\hot fix into which it will insert separate text files for each hot fix that someone has installed. The file will have the HFT extension and be named with the reference ID of the hotfix itself. In each text file you can view the exact program that was replaced/modified enabling you to verify exactly which fixes have been loaded along with the product update.

via: 90 Minds consulting Group

What’s New In Sage MAS 90 V4.4 Product Update (PU) 3?

Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 Product Update 3 has arrived. It was first made available on September 27 in Sage’s online support area. At the time there was no “what’s new” documentation to accompany it so it wasn’t readily apparently what — if anything — was in fact new to this product update.

Here are the highlights of this new MAS90 product update:

- Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 now compatible with Microsoft Office 2010

- Enhancements to Bank Reconciliation enable users to enter adjustments in Bank Reconciliation and have them flow to the General Ledger directly from the Check, Deposit and Adjustment Entry screens and from the Reconcile Bank screen.

- Security events for Bank Reconciliation – In Role Maintenance – “Allow Updating of Registers From Preview” has been added for the Bank Reconciliation Transaction Register. Also an option “Allow Access to the Select for G/L Posting Settings for Deposit and Adjustment Entries” have also been added as options for the Bank Reconciliation module.

- Paperless Office Options for Bank Reconciliation – Choose to print Bank Reconciliation Report and Bank Reconciliation Transaction Register by specific bank codes or by all bank codes. These reports can now use Paperless Office (print to PDF).

For a full list of the what’s new – check out the PDF below or visit Sage

If you are using Sales Order Entry and comment lines – then be sure to read about the bug that my 90 Minds Consulting Group discovered. Sage say’s they’re working on a fix. Users of Sales Order should consult their Sage Business Partner prior to installing PU 4 — and if their partner has no clue that there’s a bug – send ‘em here.

.Whats New Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 440 PU3 – Sept 2010

TrueCommerce Acquired By HighJump Software

truecommerce.jpg

TrueCommerce a provider of EDI translation software (Transaction Manager Desktop and Transaction Manager Online) announced today that they’ve been acquired by Eden Prairie Minnesota-based HighJump Software.

TrueCommerce indicated in a lengthy Frequently Asked Questions section on their web site that none of their 3,000 users will experience a disruption in service.

HighJump Software has just gone through a management change in the past year. In April 2010 former Healthvision Software CEO Russell Fleischer was named its new chief executive replacing Timothy Campbell who had held the post since June 2008.

Since 2005 HighJump had been a part of 3M until being sold in 2008 to Battery Ventures, a technology venture capital and private equity firm. At the time of the sale they were listed as having 350 employees.  Presently the company’s LinkedIn project lists 253 employees.

HighJump Software to Acquire TrueCommerce

HighJump Software to add trading partner integration software and network to existing supply chain management suite

September 27, 2010

Minneapolis, MN – September 27, 2010 – Today, HighJump Software announced it has reached agreement to acquire TrueCommerce, a provider of business-to-business integration solutions. TrueCommerce provides a comprehensive end-to-end suite of trading partner connectivity solutions including EDI translation and data mapping software, transaction network and on-boarding services. TrueCommerce solutions enable trading partner connectivity for 3,000 customers, features predefined integration to many major ERP systems and can be deployed in either SaaS or on-premise models.

The TrueCommerce trading partner integration solution complements HighJump Software’s existing supply chain application suite which spans from supplier to store shelf and includes warehouse management systems, transportation management systems, route accounting systems, manufacturing execution, mobile sales and ERP data collection. Trading partner collaboration is increasingly important as organizations strive to reduce costs and improve service levels. By combining integration solutions with application functionality, organizations are able to ensure consistency in business processes and accuracy of information exchanged with trading partners.

“TrueCommerce has filled a unique need in the market for simple, robust and affordable EDI solutions for small and midsized businesses,” commented Nick Manolis, TrueCommerce CEO. “I am excited for the TrueCommerce team to join HighJump, while continuing to provide excellent service, support and product innovation to our customers.”

“Combining HighJump and TrueCommerce creates a unique and compelling solution offering within the supply chain software market,” said Russell Fleischer, HighJump Software CEO. “Our view is that supply chain applications must allow users to connect with a broad ecosystem of trading partners to maximize value. The TrueCommerce solution platform, and our previous move to cloud-based applications, will help translate this vision into reality for our customers.”

About HighJump Software, Inc.
HighJump Software is a global provider of supply chain management software that streamlines the flow of inventory and information from supplier to store shelf. More than 1,500 customers worldwide have transformed their supply chains using HighJump Software. HighJump Software solutions for distribution and logistics, direct store delivery, mobility and manufacturing include: warehouse management systems, transportation management systems, route accounting systems, manufacturing execution, mobile sales and ERP data collection. Functionally rich and highly adaptable HighJump Software solutions support growing and evolving businesses in distribution, food and beverage, 3PL, retail, healthcare and consumer goods industries.

About TrueCommerce, Inc.
TrueCommerce, Inc. provides everything needed to fully implement EDI from one source. Since 1995, our mission has been to make EDI painless by providing a comprehensive, end-to-end EDI solution that is easy to use, robust, and affordable. TrueCommerce is recognized as the exclusively endorsed EDI solution for use with Sage’s financial applications and has earned Microsoft’s highest standard for partner-developed software solutions. Additionally, TrueCommerce is the only EDI solution selected by Intuit as a Preferred Solution for QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions. The TrueCommerce award-winning solutions are used by small and mid-size businesses to exchange tens of millions of EDI transactions annually within a variety of industries including retail, banking, healthcare and government. Signal Hill Updata acted as sole financial advisor to TrueCommerce in this transaction.

HighJump is a trademark of HighJump Software Inc. Other names and trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Chad Collins
Vice President, Marketing & Strategy
952.563.5256
chad.collins@highjump.com

via: Telesis Consulting – Denver Colorado Sage MAS 90, Open Systems and QuickBooks Enterprise

Subscribe To Schulz Consulting Updates

Having to manually visit a site each day to see if there’s important news which you’re interested in can quickly become a chore.

Who has the time to remember all the sites that you want to monitor for news? I certainly don’t – and because you probably don’t either I’ve made it super convenient for you to stay updated on the latest Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 news, tips and analysis.

At Schulz Consulting we publish between 1 and 5 posts each and every day (some days even on Saturday or Sunday).

If you’d like to be notified in your email inbox whenever a new article is posted – use the subscription form below to add your name to the site news list.

We are using Feedburner from Google – which allows you to manage your subscription. If at anytime you become bored or don’t want to receive updates any longer – simply click the remove link and you’re email address is permanently removed by Google’s Feedburner service.

Sign up below to get started receiving Schulz Consulting site updates as they happen.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Sage MAS Intelligence Delivery To End Users – Now Due October 2010

sage mas intelligence ship date.jpg

I just caught a post made by Jacqueline Li, Product Manager at Sage North America, updating the shipping status of the Sage ERP MAS Intelligence.

According to Jacqueline the Sage consultants and end users can download this directly from Sage Software Online (login required) and obtain registration codes from their online company project (also available within the Sage Software Online site).

End users should expect that mail notifications will be received in the month of October 2010 with full instructions on how to download the Sage MAS Intelligence (aka SMI).

LinkedIN

Sage ERP MAS 90 & MAS 200 Roadmap – August 2010

What’s New In MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.0 to 4.4 (PDF)

mas90 version faybesg.jpg

Here’s a handy chart outlining the new features of MAS 90 and MAS 200 4.x courtesy of Sage partner Faye Business Solutions of Woodland Hills California.

This two page PDF does a fantastic job of showing exactly what was added to each module in versions 4.0 to 4.4. Download and stash this one in your toolkit so the next time someone asks you what’s been added in differing versions you can provide them with this reference.

Faye Business Solutions Group

What Operating Systems are MAS 90 or MAS 200 Compatible With?

One of the top questions that we receive about Sage ERP MAS 90 or MAS 200 is whether the programs are compatible with a certain operating system or not.

Sage North America publishes a series of guides that explicitly detail which operating systems and hardware configurations the supported versions of MAS 90 and MAS 200 will reliably operate with.

These handy guides are updated every few months and rather than post the document – which might be out of date by the time you are reading this post – below are the direct links to the relevant documents:

MAS90 SOFTWARE (See links below for MAS 200)

MAS 90 – Version 3.71 to 4.30

http://goo.gl/7xCB

MAS 90 – Version 4.4+

http://goo.gl/rkjR

MAS 200 SOFTWARE

MAS 200 – Version 3.71 to 4.30

http://goo.gl/hYj8

MAS 200 – Version 4.40+

http://goo.gl/5y0c

via: Wayne Schulz Google Buzz

Sage eFiling FAQ 2010 for Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 [Updated]

Did you know that within all versions of Sage ERP MAS 90 and MAS 200 4.3 and higher there is a tool to print tax forms to plain paper – at no additional cost?

And for a small additional fee Sage will electronically file those forms with the federal government.

Sage posted an updated Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Federal & State eFiling and ReportingFrequently Asked Questions document in their partner file center. The eFiling is a relatively new component of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 and was added in version 4.30 for all users of the product.

What’s unique (and great) about the eFiling is clients can use this to print forms on plain paper — at no additional cost. There’s only a cost if they want to also have Sage submit (aka eFile) the forms on their company’s behalf.

It appears that Sage have updated their question #7 on this FAQ to include more volume pricing options for those with large numbers of employees. There’s not yet any volume information for 1099 filing which may become more of an issue for our customers if the government lets stand a ruling which in 2012 will require many more 1099 transactions to be reported.

Sage MAS 90 Federal and State e-Filing 2010 FAQ

http://goo.gl/z4tD

How To Install Sage MAS Intelligence for MAS 90 or MAS 200

The training department at Sage North America have just posted another video regarding the new Sage MAS Intelligence reporting tool.

Sage MAS Intelligence is the replacement for FRX Financial Report Writer which Microsoft is terminating support for at the end of next year. FRX had been the recommended financial report writer. With the decision by Microsoft to eliminate their product – the new recommended reporting tool is Sage MAS Intelligence.

Each user of MAS 90 or MAS 200 will receive a free copy of this program along with one user license. Watch for a notification from Sage in the coming weeks that will alert you to the availability of Sage MAS Intelligence.

YouTube Preview Image

MAS 90 4.4 Patch Of The Day: All Account Numbers Change To A New Account Number

mas90 patch account change.jpg

Users of MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 (which includes both product update 1 and 2) should be aware of this new individual patch that Sage issued yesterday.

It appears there’s a bug when you renumber (change) any general ledger account. If that number is embedded into the Inventory Product Line Maintenance then after making an account number change all account numbers in MAS 90 Inventory Product Line Maintenance will change.

This is an individual program patch that should be applied by all users of version 4.4 including product update 1 and product update 2.

All Account Numbers Change To A New Account Number

Sage ERP MAS Intelligence Available For Download

sage erp mas intelligence.jpg

Sage has just made their MAS 90  FRX replacement available for download online. Branded as Sage ERP MAS Intelligence (say that 3 times fast) the Excel based solution connects to not only your financial data but all other module data (ex. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, etc).

We provided you with a first look at Sage ERP MAS Intelligence (then being referred to as Sage Business Intelligence) back in March 2010 when Alchemex did a  demo for the 90 Minds Consulting Group.

View the product frequently asked questions below – or visit Sage’s site for more information and download links.

Sage ERP MAS Intelligence

Subscribe To New Sage MAS 90 Community Discussion Posts Via Email

sage community new.jpg

Did you know that Sage has a community forum where users and consultants gather to discuss the burning issues of the day as it relates to Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200?

Participation is free — and you can always view a list of all the new messages (in chronological order) via this Sage MAS90 Community Link.

That link works great provided you remember to check it regularly and review the new messages. But if you’re prone to forgetting (like I am) then you might want a more automated way to receive notifications of new messages.

I’ve just created a feed of these new messages on Feedburner which is an automated RSS delivery system. Use the form below to subscribe by email — and you’ll receive a mailed notification of each topic as people post online.

Say goodbye to remembering to manually check the discussion area for new information. Now all you’ll need to check is your email inbox.

The feeds are managed by Google’s Feedburner service — and you can decide to stop receiving these updates at any time.

Enter your email address to receive Sage Community MAS 90 Forum Discussion Updates:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Sage To Allow MAS 90 and MAS 200 3.71 Users To Stay On Maintenance – Receive Knowledgebase Access

sage_retired_versions.jpg

I just noticed that Sage have updated their online support area accessed by consultants who are supporting their Sage MAS 90 and 200 products.

The update provides information on the following end of life dates for their products (which as far as I can see is unchanged from prior publication):

Version 3.71 – 9/30/10
Version 4.00 – 9/30/11
Version 4.05 – 9/30/11
Version 4.10 – 9/30/11

According to the update posted on Sage’s site:

Sage ERP MAS 90 version 3.71 will be retired as of September 30, 2010. After this date, product updates (including year end) and telephone support will no longer be provided by Sage. However, customers who stay with a maintenance plan will continue to have access to the knowledgebase with articles about the retired versions. For more information, see the Supported Versions document and the Sage ERP MAS 90 Roadmap.

This seems to apply that customers on older versions which while they may no longer be supported with product fixes could continue paying software maintenance in order to access the support knowledgebase.

Sage Introduces EasyPay Options for Sage ERP MAS 90, MAS 200 and ACCPAC

sage easypay mas90 mas200.jpg

Easy Payment Options for Sage ERP MAS 90, MAS 200 and Accpac!

Sage today released information on a new program that allows you to spread the purchase price of your new Sage ERP MAS 90, MAS 200 and Accpac over a 3 to 5 year term.

Both software product and accompanying maintenance can be included in the payments which can be made either quarterly or monthly by ACH draft or credit card.

No longer will you have to deal with bank or leasing company financing to purchase a new ERP system. Discuss these new payment options with your favorite Sage Business Partner.

Full details of the announcement:

Sage Erp Easypay Option – MAS90, MAS200, Accpac

MAS 200 SQL v4.45 Pre-Release Guide

There’s a new version of MAS 200 for SQL that’s due out by the end of 2010. Slated for beta in July 2010 followed by a controlled release this version will replace the old MAS 200 SQL which had remained at version 3.74.

Not all modules will initially be available. According to the pre-release guide (see below) only those modules at the version 4.x framework will work with the new MAS 200 SQL.

There also initially will not be any third party conversion tools. Customers using an earlier 3.74 version of MAS 200 SQL will be responsible for their data migration.

Sage MAS 200 SQL Pre-Release Guide v4.45

Unincorporated Extended Solutions Stop Receiving Support & Upgrades February 1, 2011

Sage has just issued an update that outlines when certain Extended Solutions that they’ve announced as being added to Sage MAS 90 and 200 will make it into the product.

In addition they’ve indicated that as of October 1, 2010 an additional 24 solutions will stop being sold. On February 1, 2011 the support and upgrades for those 24 will cease.

More information is available from their official statement – which appears to be a draft of one that’s soon to be sent directly to end users.

Sage MAS 90 and 200 Extended Solutions Update – BP 7-19-10

Sage updates MAS 90 and MAS 200 Product Roadmap 7/2010

sage mas90 roadmap.jpg

Sage yesterday released their roadmap showing the planned features and product update releases. Looks as if the major change this year is to wisely limit the 12/2010 product update to payroll related updates (tax tables, etc).

MAS 200 SQL gets re-affirmed as on-track for delivery later this year (beta started in July) and pricing surprisingly is the same as regular MAS 200. Sage doesn’t come out and say it but I assume that MAS 200 SQL and MAS 200 co-exist (as opposed to MAS 200 SQL replacing plain old MAS 200) because the SQL version will not initially support non-framework modules like payroll and manufacturing.

There’s a nice explanation of the FRX options when the Sage ERP Business Insights starts rolling out now in August 2010.

Sage MAS 90 and 200 Roadmap – PUBLIC 2-1-10

Sage EES is being merged into MAS 200 starting with version 4.5. Details on this are still a little hazy – “Fixed Assets Bundled With Per User Based Pricing” – does this mean that it’s similar to how Credit Card or Direct Deposit is included but you have to pay to use it? I’d be sure to verify these details before quoting.

Lastly I’m still awaiting the introduction of subscription pricing for new module purchases. Sage announced this at Insights but left off all details and I received a quick promise that I’d be seeing details. Don’t confuse this pricing with the subscription that’s currently offered for maintenance renewals where you can pay on a credit card. My understanding from the presentation is that ultimately Sage plans to let customers buy new licenses based on a recurring charge of $ x per month.

Link :

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26259049/Sage-MAS-90-and-200-Roadmap-PUBLIC-2-1-10

MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 Product Update 2 Released

The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived. Sage promised to deliver Product Update 2 by mid-July and by my calculations they’ve done just that. The latest feature update (detailed what’s new) for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.4 is now available in the Sage Online Support Center.

To download the latest update navigate online to the Sage Online Support site. If you’re an end user please be sure that you check first with your Sage Business Partner. Naturally, if you have third party enhancements (customizations) you’ll need to make sure that those are upgraded alongside the product update.

New features include:

Whats New in MAS90 Product Update 2

via: DeRosa Mangold Consulting

What’s New In MAS 90 4.4 Product Update 2

In an email to the consultant channel Sage posted a concise two page list of what new features can be expected in product update 2 for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.4.

As you may already know Sage is now issuing more frequent updates through the year as opposed to relying only on annual releases. They believe this will deliver more value for the maintenance that customers pay each year for their Sage MAS 90 and 200.

Here’s a copy of the PDF which shows the new features slated for product update 2 which Sage indicates will arrive in late July (that’s code for August).

Whats New in MAS90 Product Update 2

MAS 200 SQL 4.45: A Huge Step Forward In Speed Of Reporting And Integration Ease

dsd doug deane.jpg

In a blog post on his site yesterday, Doug Deane President DSD Business Systems describes a recent visit that two of his top technical people made to Sage North America headquarters where they received an early look at the MAS200 SQL 4.45 release.

The session apparently afforded an opportunity to grill Sage development staff about the capabilities in MAS 200 SQL 4.45 and Jon Reiter (pictured below) and Jim Woodhead, both of DSD Business Systems, came away suitably impressed.

jon reiter dsd business.jpg

According to Doug’s post a small group of channel partners were invited to spend time with Sage in Irvine to provide feedback on the MAS 200 SQL 4.4 product prior to it’s release.

Some of Doug’s comments:

Very large datasets were tested quickly on external custom Crystal Reports
BIE (Business Insights Explorer) was fast
Because there are no SQL Server stored procedures a single code base will be maintained which allows for smoother integration with and support by third party products.

Read Doug’s full post at Sage MAS200 SQL – A Huge Step Forward

Sage MAS Intelligence Slated To Ship To Partners In July 2010 and Customers in August 2010

In a posting last night Sage’s product manager for reporting Jacqueline Li tells us that the expected shipping date for the new reporting tool (aka FRX replacement) for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 will ship to business partners in July with customer shipments following a month later in August.

Sage MAS Intelligence is a Sage branded version of a program from Alchemex. The product is positioned to replace the FRX reporting tool which Sage will stop selling in 2010 pursuant to Microsoft’s decision to discontinue support.

Below is the announcement from Jacqueline. If you’re interested in more we have a recorded Sage MAS Intelligence Demo.

via LinkedIn:

Sage MAS Intelligence will be released to Partners in July of this year. We will also start our training in July on Sage University. You can go to http://sageu.com/ns_acs/bp/mas90200.html to get more details.

We would like to give our Partners some time to train and get familiar with the product before we ship to customers, so the product will be available for customers in August.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

Regards,
Jacqueline Li
Product Manager
Sage

New Jersey & New York MAS90, MAS200 User Group With Version 4.4 Demo Now Online

mark chinsky.jpg

Mark Chinsky of Clients First Business Solutions has just posted the recording of his May 20, 2010 user group that was held in their Holmdel New Jersey office.

Prior to joining Clients First Mark operated On-Track Consulting which for most of its 8 years was one of the top Sage VARS nationwide.

During his user group Mark not only gives a great demo of the new MAS 90 version 4.4 but is able to produce crisp audio and a very clear screenshow that documents the new features.

There is also some discussion around the new PCI-DSS rules governing credit card security.

You can view a copy of the video below – click the lower right corner to make it full screen:

YouTube Preview Image

via: Clients First Business Solutions – New Jersey

Alnoor Cassim Brings MAS90 Scripting and BOI Training to NJ June 22, 2010

alnoor cassim.jpg

One of the most exciting features of the new MAS 90 & MAS 200 business framework has been the ability to use scripts to control aspects of the software.

Almost every consultant and technical end user could benefit from learning how to do some scripting — which in the current 4.4 release is the preferred method of avoiding customizations and add-ons.

Alnoor Cassim is a genius with MAS 90 and MAS 200. He ran the support area worked at Sage for 14 years before striking out on his own last year (Callforhelp.biz). For years while at Sage Alnoor served as the ultimate technical resource and is responsible for many of the advanced level workarounds or problem resolutions.

If you have been thinking of learning more about scripting and the BOI (Business Objects Interface) then be sure to sign up for the class being held at SWK in NJ on June 22, 2010 in New Jersey. There are also two 4 hour remote sessions being held immediately following that date on June 23 and 24.

From the course description:

This training will help channel resellers and ISVs produce User Defined Scripts to solve business process issues and fulfill business requirements using the Custom Office module that previously required a Master Developer enhancement. Prior to version 4.40, Customizer scripts did not have direct access to the MAS 90/200 business objects and could only be activated via button click. However, the new User Defined Scripts are event based scripts no longer requiring a button click and offer direct access to the business objects without having to create a separate front‐end application using the Business Object Interface (BOI).

You may have already read the exciting news from Sage on the capabilities and power of scripting in 4.40 and have seen the exciting presentations on how User Defined Scripts can be used to meet a client’s business requirements. You may have also tried to understand and play with the demo scripts and put all the concepts together. To that end, the primary goals of this class are to:

a. show you what’s “under the hood”;
b. extend and apply what you have already read and seen; and
c. transition your knowledge into real world practice.

For more information – view the PDF registration form today.

MAS90 & MAS 200 BOI and Advanced File Scripting Training June 22-24-2010

MAS 90 and MAS 200 4.4 Accounts Receivable Period End Hotfix Available

sage community.jpg

Users of MAS 90/ MAS 200 4.40 Accounts Receivable (which includes Extended Enterprise) who have a mix of open items and balance forward types of customers within a single company code should apply a new patch that Sage issued today.

Apparently there’s the chance in 4.40 that during A/R period end open item transactions can be missing or incorrectly combined in the AR_Transaction Payment History file.

This seems to only be an issue that might arise for those using v4.4 Accounts Receivable and (a) during period end and (b) only for those company codes which have a MIX of balance forward and open item customers.

You can read more on the Sage Community site:

http://community.sagemas.com/t5/Core-Financial-Modules/4-40-hot-fix-to-Accounts-Receivable-period-end-processing/td-p/25709

Or read the full knowledgebase entry:

http://infosource.sagesoftwareonline.com/sw_attach/kdb.asp?isResolutionConceptID=524615

As a general rule of thumb what I’ve been doing is:

1. Install MAS 90 / MAS 200 4.40
2. Install Product Update (latest)

3. Do a quick search for individual patches and where appropriate install them

via: Sage

Sue Swenson Sage North America Keynote – Google Wave

Sue Swenson yesterday afternoon delivered her keynote to about 1,000 Sage partners in attendance at the Sage Insights 2010 conference being held May 17-20, 2010.

The main message of the keynote (and perhaps the conference) is that Sage has three goals:

Increase install base sales (now 71% of Sage NA revenue)
Connected services – such as Sage Payment Services for payment processing
Selective new investments in new products

The full Google Wave is below:


Sage Insights 2010 Google Wave Collaboration – Live

Are you attending Sage Insights 2010?

Insights is Sage North America’s conference where a few thousand consultants gather to learn about the latest Sage products and the future releases. This year it is being held in Denver Colorado from May 17-20, 2010.

Attending? Watching from home? Would you like to share notes, feedback, ideas and questions with other people attending the conference?

An experimental Google Wave which is unofficial and not sponsored or affiliated with Sage has just gone live. This Wave will offer you a place to make notes or share observations with other people at the conference. These could be centered around the technical sessions and product keynotes offered during the four day conference – or perhaps are just questions that you want to ask or observations you would like to make.

You can view the opening page of the Wave below which I’ve embedded to give you an idea of the topics being discussed. To participate you’ll have to follow these steps:

a. If you do not already have a Google Wave account – apply for one here.

b. Join the Google Group that will give you access to edit the Google Waves that are shared with the group. Once you’re in the group simply create a Wave an add in the contract “insightsconference@googlegroups.com” to your contact list and to your Wave’s which will make them shareable (viewable) by everyone at the conference.

c: For those experienced with Wave — all of the conference content will be tagged with insights10

To find conference waves after you’ve joined the group search for “group:insightsconference@googlegroups.com” (Tip: You must be a group member to see or participate in any Waves)


Sage MAS 90 and 200 Business Intelligence Comparison

Sage just released a pretty helpful chart which shows the main differences between some of the most popular Business Intelligence products that companies have been using with MAS 90 and MAS 200.

As you may know Sage is preparing to release a new universal Business Intelligence product which will be used on the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 product line.

Their current release plans indicate that this will ship in Summer 2010 as outlined in a recent announcement:

Sage MAS Intelligence will soon be introduced as the ideal FRx replacement product for Sage MAS ERP. On target to be released this summer, Sage MAS Intelligence offers powerful and easy to use graphical financial reporting capabilities to access business-critical information, and makes complex reporting easy using a new report designer. Going beyond General Ledger reporting needs, Sage MAS Intelligence will provide Business Intelligence across the entire Sage MAS ERP system, including CRM and Abra.

The products compared are:

Sage MAS Intelligence (Sage’s NEW offering scheduled for Summmer 2010)
Sage MAS 90 and 200 Business Insights Dashboard
Sage MAS 90 and 200 Business Insights Reporter

FRX
BizNet
Crystal Reports
F9

The comparisons provide for ranking a wide range of features under the categories of Data Access, Report Security, Report Delivery and Distribution, Reporting Capabilities, Sorting, Aggregation and Drill Down, Database Support Provided, Operating Systems Support and MS Office Version Support.

SageMAS Intelligence Comparison- FRX, Biznet, Alchemex, Crystal, F9

Search your MAS 90, MAS 200, MAS 500, SalesLogix and Accpac Database With z.Find

vfind for mas90 mas500 saleslogix accpac.jpg

Ever wish there was a way to quickly search your Sage ERP and CRM database without having to go through multiple lookup screens?

z.Find from Escape Velocity Systems uses a Google-type search to quickly locate data within your ERP or CRM database without the need to hunt from report to report or inquiry to inquiry.

You can search multiple databases as well as link in mulitiple non-ERP/CRM sources.

The product works with:

Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 (pricing TBD)

Sage MAS 500 ($6,000 plus $2,000 recurring maintenance)

Sage Accpac

Sage SalesLogix

Third Party Applications and Customizations

z.find search for MAS 90, MAS 200, MAS 500, Accpac, SalesLogix

More information – and a recorded demonstration – can be found on the Escape Velocity web site linked below.

Press Release:

EVS Launches z.Find for Sage MAS 500 ERP, Sage SalesLogix, Sage MAS 90 ERP and Sage AccPac ERP

Boulder, CO– Escape Velocity Systems, Inc. (EVS), a Boulder, Colorado based ERP innovation group announced today the launch of the z.Find now publicly available for Sage MAS 500 ERPand Sage SalesLogix. EVS also announced today the beginning of the z.Find beta program for Sage MAS 90 ERP. Development work is in progress on z.Find for Sage Accpac as well.

The z.Find is a search application that brings the first ever Google-type search capabilities to Sage ERP products. From a single interface, z.Find can return information that resides in multiple databases, third party add-ons or customized tables. “z.Find breaks away from the traditional, structured way of finding data in an ERP by tearing down the walls between modules and systems,” states Evan Garber, President of EVS.

EVS also announces that the z.Find application can be purchased, downloaded, deployed, and updated directly from the z.AppStore. “The experience of adding functionality to your existing ERP solution should be fast and easy; delivery through our z.AppStore makes that possible,” comments Garber.
EVS was formed in 2001 to combine specific industry knowledge and expertise with industry changing innovation and technology. The company’s focus is to create tools that enable mid-market enterprises to have a better, more effective experience with their ERP.

For more information, visit www.evs-sw.com or contact sales@evs-sw.com.

z.Find – Escape Velocity Systems

Sage Exchange Promises Integration Between Payment Data and Software – Eliminating PA-DSS Certification Fees

sage exchange for MAS90.jpg

Sage today announced a new offshoot of their Sage Payment Service they’ve named Sage Exchange.

The promise of Sage Exchange is that it will integrate Sage’s accounting products (and other Certified Business Applications) with Sage Payment Service so that all forms of payment (credit, debit, checks) can be accepted and integrated into an accounting package.

The initial release of Sage Exchange will connect to a new Sage Exchange Virtual Terminal with card swipe capability, new encrypted point-of-sale terminals, Sage software products, and several additional business applications. It will support payments integration in approved software solutions now, and expanded capability with point-of-sale devices in the next release.

Sage Exchange offers a tool kit for developers to enable the integration of payment data with software solutions as well as eliminating developers from PA-DSS certification fees and associated costs.

Out of the box the following Sage products are slated for integration:

  • Peachtree by Sage
  • Sage ERP X3
  • Simply Accounting by Sage
  • Sage Pro ERP
  • Timeslips by Sage
  • DacEasy by Sage
  • Sage BusinessVision
  • Sage Fundraising 50
  • Sage Fundraising 100
  • Sage Fundraising 100 – Rainbow Edition
  • Sage Millenium
  • Sage Intergy

Other Sage products that were not specifically named but are listed as coming soon:

  • Sage MAS 90 ERP
  • Sage MAS 200 ERP
  • Sage MAS 500 ERP
  • Sage Accpac ERP
  • Sage Medical Manager

There were several Sage products not named – notably BusinessWork, MIP, Platinum For Windows. We’ll be following up with Sage to learn whether that is simply an oversight.

Update 5-11-2010:

Here’s what Rob Bertke, senior vice president for product management, Sage Payment Solutions had to say about our question of why BusinessWork, MIP and Platinum For Windows (PFW) were not mentioned in the release:

All Sage products are capable of integration with Sage Exchange. However, for the release announcement, we only listed those Sage products known to be available within approximately the next several months. Other Sage products are developing their plans to integrate, as well. For example, BusinessWorks will be integrating, but they are not a part of the first go-round. The other two products you mention do not have built-in card acceptance capability, so they did not need to integrate with Sage Exchange at this time. It is expected that these products will join the family when we get to later phases, which will include transactions that can be passed back from third-party systems or terminals. We will provide updates throughout the launch phases.

In response to the question of whether Sage Exchange is a rebranding of the Sage Vault product, Rob had this to say:

No, Sage Exchange is a completely new solution with far broader capabilities than Sage Vault. While Sage Vault offers substantial security, Sage Exchange provides that and much more in terms of integration flexibility and sophistication. Basically, Sage Vault was a product name that referred to a capability (tokenization). Sage Exchange offers tokenization, so the ‘Sage Vault’ is no longer needed.

Link for more information: Sage Exchange

The full press release;

May 11, 2010 10:45 ET

New Sage Exchange Payments Platform Will Allow SMBs to Seamlessly Integrate a Payments Service to Business Management Systems
New Integrated Payments Platform Is a PCI Certified SaaS Environment Designed by Sage North America

MCLEAN, VA–(Marketwire – May 11, 2010) – Sage North America today introduced Sage Exchange, a new secure, Payment Card Industry (PCI) certified payments platform delivered in a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Sage Exchange will allow small and midsized businesses (SMBs) and organizations to accept all forms and methods of payment, with seamless data integration to a wide range of Sage business management software products and third-party business solutions. Seamless integration between payment applications and back-office software can improve an organization’s cash flow and forecasting, while eliminating manual data entry and the risk of errors.

Elements of Sage Exchange will be released in phases over the next several months. The initial phases will allow businesses and organizations using many Sage software products to accept credit and debit cards in a secure and Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) validated environment, while automatically updating accounts receivable records. Subsequent phases will expand payments integration to distributed credit/debit card and electronic check terminals, or point-of-sale (POS) devices, and a range of integrated payment solutions to the accounts payable side.

“Every business buys and sells goods or services,” said Greg Hammermaster, president of Sage Payment Solutions, Sage’s payments division. “Sage Exchange will provide a robust platform to accept and make payments for those goods or services, while seamlessly accounting for and tracking those payments. Virtually any small and mid-sized company or organization can benefit from Sage Exchange.”

The first release of Sage Exchange will offer the following benefits:
seamless and secure payments integration into the following Sage software products:

Peachtree by Sage, Simply Accounting by Sage, Sage ERP X3, Sage BusinessVision, Sage Pro ERP, and DacEasy by Sage; Sage Fundraising 50, Sage Fundraising 100, Sage Millennium, and Sage Fundraising 100 – Rainbow Edition; Sage Intergy for medical practice management; and Timeslips by Sage for billing and time-tracking;

enhanced customer experience through the new Sage Exchange Virtual Terminal (or web interface) with key-entered and “card swipe” capabilities that does not time out; and

improved security and flexibility through new encrypted credit and debit card terminals with the latest browser-based technology.

A subsequent release of Sage Exchange will connect to the following Sage software products:
Sage Accpac ERP; Sage MAS 90 ERP, Sage MAS 200 ERP, and Sage MAS 500 ERP; and Sage Medical Manager for electronic health records (EHR).

Sage Exchange will also later support expanded payment functionality in the areas of payroll, procurement, and payables, as well as seamlessly integrate with additional complementary business applications, although some applications may initially be stand alone.

“As a leading global supplier of business management software, Sage is a trusted partner that understands the value of integrated payment systems,” said Hammermaster. “Sage Exchange increases the efficiency of accepting and making payments to help companies achieve two important goals: reduced costs and maximized value of their business software environment.”

In summary, the Sage Exchange platform currently:

Integrates payments with business management software systems;

Improves cash flow management and forecasting;

Eliminates manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors;

and Uses the latest in security & technology, including tokenization, to ensure a safe, secure payment processing environment (PCI certified).

The full Sage Exchange platform will also:

Integrate all methods of payment acceptance: web, phone, terminal, mobile, scanner;

Automate payables settlement, maximizing the customer’s preferred payment method; and

Provide a consolidated view of payment activity.

For additional information, please visit www.sagepayments.com/sage-services/sage-exchange.aspx or call 800-261-0240.

About Sage Payment Solutions

For more than 20 years, Sage Payment Solutions has been providing electronic payment systems for businesses and organizations. Sage’s payment processing and business services are currently being provided to more than 140,000 businesses and organizations, who are delivering improved customer experiences by accepting multiple forms of payment, including credit and debit cards, electronic checks, Check21, gift and loyalty cards, and automatic recurring payment. With Sage Payment Solutions, businesses can also expand the way they accept payments, from card present and mail order/telephone order (MO/TO), to Internet and payments integrated with Sage software applications and third-party solutions. Sage Payment Solutions is Level 1 PCI certified, and is an active PCI Security Standards Council Participating Organization. For more information about Sage Payment Solutions, please call 800-261-0240, or visit www.sagepayments.com.

About Sage North America

Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs 4,000 people and supports 3.1 million small and midsized business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,100 people and supports 6.2 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the website at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

© 2010 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Sage, Sage Software, Sage logos and the Sage product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software, Inc. or its affiliated entities. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Sage LInkedIn Group – Google Wave Test

Below is a sample of a public Google Wave embedded into a web site.

This could be useful for any number of things including public shared notes, issues lists, etc.

As of now it appears that you’ll have to view the Wave using either Firefox or Chrome as your browser. The use of Internet Explorer does not appear to work.


“Unable to process lockfile. (Crystal Reports activeX designer – Daily Transaction Register. Processing Cancelled” in Sage MAS 90 and 200

I just ran across a rather puzzling error that at first had me stumped.

The error message was occurring during printing of the Daily Transaction Register. All other Crystal printing could be completed just fine.


“Unable to process lockfile. (Crystal Reports activeX designer – Daily Transaction Register. Processing Cancelled” in Sage MAS 90 and 200

When the user moved to another computer they were able to print the register — and if other users tried they could as well.

All symptoms pointed to this one machine.

After much head scratching I finally deduced that the problem was with their MAS200 Paperless Office and a stray lock file that was left in the registry on the user’s computer due to a sudden shutdown.

Here’s the cure (as always – before you mess with your computer registry say a silent prayer – we’re not responsible for registry changes gone wild):

Unable to process the lockfile: when attempting to test Paperless Office PDF Writer
When attempting to setup the PDF writer from Paperless Office, an error message “Unable to process the lockfile” may be presented.

To fix this problem, you need to use the Registry Editor.

From the Start button, select RUN then type in Regedit and click ok.

From the Regedit screen, select EDIT – FIND

Under the “look at” options, remove all the checkmarks EXCEPT for the one next to KEYS.

Search for the key LOCK.

When you find the key, if it is underneath a folder for Extended Solutions PDF Converter — delete the LOCK folder (do NOT delete the Extended Solution Folder itself).

If you have trouble deleting a LOCK folder, it could be that there is something in the folder (typically another folder). In that case delete the other folders inside that LOCK folder. Then go and delete the LOCK folder itself.

Go back to EDIT – FIND – FIND NEXT and look for another LOCK folder underneath an Extended Solutions PDF Converter folder.

If you find any other LOCK folders, delete those as well (they should only be deleted if you find them within an Extended Solutions PDF Converter folder).

Go back to MAS90 and uninstall and then re-install the PDF converter.

Additional Tip: I have also seen the PDF converter not run if acroread32.exe is hung. To fix it I ctrl-alt-del and select Task Manager and Processes then shut down the AcroRead32 process.

Sage Desktop Check Deposit

sage desktop deposit.jpg

Sage Payment Services introduces a new service that just might save you a few trips to the bank.

While you are always able to use ACH to electronically transmit or receive payments – the Sage Desktop Deposit offers the ability to process all types of checks drawn on U.S. banks – Personal, Business, Government, Traveler’s, Cashier’s, Certified, Equity Lines of Credit checks and Money Orders.

The primary hardware requirement is a 2-sided document scanner (list of compatible devices).

The Sage Desktop Deposit meets all the standards established by Check 21 which is the 2004 legislation passed by Congress allowing for scanned check images to substitute for actual paper based checks.

Sage Desktop Deposit

Hot! – What’s New in Sage’s Product Update 1 for MAS90 & MAS200 v4.4

Jeff Schwenk of Bottomline Software has taken a few minutes to produce a great 26 page document that shows exactly what’s new in Sage Software’s new Product Update 1 which has just been released for MAS 90 & MAS 200 v4.4.

Unfortunately the what’s new guide that Sage supplied did not go into enough detail about the exact features – and where to find them.

Never fear because Jeff’s on the job and here’s his guide that he is allowing me to share with you:

Whats New in MAS90 + MAS200 Product Update 4.4.01

via: Bottomline Software

Sage MAS90 Knowledgebase Now Showing Unverified Solutions

sage knowledgebase unverified.jpg

I just noticed something interesting – and very helpful to both Sage users and consultants.

It appears that Sage has finally started to display knowledgebase information that they have yet to fully verify as a problem. I sent Sage a note inquiring about this matter but have not received any response (not at all an unusual thing).

On the surface you may think that publishing unverified problem reports is bad – but it’s not. At least not when used by tec savvy customers and consultants who understand the meaning of the word “unverified”.

Previously Sage had only published reports of errors and bugs after they’d been able to reproduce them in their engineering department. This potentially caused lag times between when an issue was reported and when it was visible in the knowledgebase to stretch out as long as a few weeks.

In the meantime if several customers all reported the same issue – the problem would not yet appear in the knowledgebase for all to share.

Now it appears that Sage has finally opened up their KB so that unverified problem reports will appear – though with a red “INFORMATIONAL ** THIS INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED **”.

Many in the Sage community have asked Sage for this feature for years. Being able to access early reports of potential problems is a great tool for helping skilled customers and their support representatives diagnose issues as they occur — and in a much more timely fashion.

Here’s hoping that unverified solutions continue to appear in our knowledgebase searches.

MAS 90 & MAS 200 v4.4 Product Update 1 Disappears (again)

sage product update 1.jpg

We continue to monitor the Sage MAS90 & 200 v4.4 release in an effort to determine exactly when to recommend installing the upgrade to our clients and newsletter subscribers.

Update: 4-22-2010 – Sage has made the update available

A key feature of MAS 90 & MAS 200 v4.4 as promoted by Sage is the concept of regular product updates.

Unlike the prior practice of issuing periodic (first monthly then ultimately quarterly) bug fixes service updates, Sage intends to issue regular product updates that provide not only program fixes but also add new functionality (see the MAS 90 roadmap for exactly what to expect and when).

One of the eagle eyed Sage consultants in my 90Minds group spotted that the latest MAS 90 & MAS 200 v4.4 Product Update 1 as well as the MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.3 service update 18 have again been removed by Sage.

Readers of our web site will recall that we’d previously noted that Product Update 1 (and service update 18) were removed on April 2 before ultimately being reinstated.

From what we understand from our group member, the primary reason for removal of both the product and service update might revolve around credit card issues.

Our understanding, based on Sage communication with other business partners, about product update 1 and service update 18 is that part of the changes to both updates involve PCI-DSS compliance changes. Sage has recently completed an audit of their software to meet the new credit card processing rules effective July 1, 2010 and we believe were using the latest updates to ensure compliance.

Sage Issues Malware Advisory For April 14 Support Knowledgebase Visitors [Updated]

sage malware attack.jpg

We’ve just received a copy of an advisory that Sage seems to have sent about 4pm EST on 4/15/2010 to users who visited their support knowledgebase on April 14, 2010.

UPDATE – 4-16-2010:
The Infosource knowledgebase is live and available to Sage business partners and customers. The message stating the site is down for maintenance has been removed. The site has been tested and everything appears to be in working order. If you come across any knowledgebase issues, please notify Sage MAS Customer Support at (800) 854-3415 immediately.

On Wednesday 4/14/10 we’d been alerted by several users that as of about 10am EST the Sage KB seemed to be attempting to redirect web visitors. Shortly after we began receiving reports of unusual activity the KB site went down and it remains unreachable as of 8pm on 4/15/10.

The notice on the Sage site indicates that the Sage knowledgebase is down for maintenance.

According to Sage’s alert:

Our records indicate that you visited our support website on April 14th, 2010. If you accessed our Sage knowledgebase, you might have been redirected to a malware site. Sage was able to prevent the redirection, and install protection against future intrusions. The knowledgebase will be back in service as soon as possible.

If you visited our website from a corporate environment, your firewall should have protected your systems. Please work with your information systems or technical staff to verify that your systems were not affected.

If you are a Sage partner who accessed our knowledgebase from your site or from a customer site, please alert your IT staff or your customer of a potential compromise. As noted above, the redirection to the malware site has been completely removed and safeguards are installed on our support website.

For more information about the malware, see the Google Advisory:

http://safebrowsing.clients.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=free22smart.com

This information seems to corroborate the anti-virus alert that one Sage partner sent to us.

sage AV alert.jpg
freesmart22.jpg

Sage Knowledgebase Mostly Offline

sage KB.jpg

If you’ve been trying to access the online knowlegebase or download any service updates, PDF files or tax table updates – be advised that the Sage servers appear to be down since about 10am EST Wednesday 4/14/10.

Sage acknowledges the downtime on their site in a posting (shown above) stating that the Sage BusinessWorks, SalesLogix, MAS90, MAS200, MAS 500, Extended Enterprise and PFW knowledgebases are down for maintenance.

Such prolonged mid-week downtime is very unusual as most routine server maintenance happens over the weekends. While logins to the support area are still possible, it appears that large portions of the back end for Sage’s support site have been taken off-line.

It’s presently (as of 4/15/10 9:45 am) not possible to download many (if not all) product updates, PDF files or to search the online support knowledgebase for the affected products.

At least two consultants say they witnessed odd warning messages or alerts about their computer needing to perform some type of scan. This occurred during routine attempts to access the Sage KB. Shortly after receiving the message they say that the KB access went offline.

We have a request into Sage for an update and will post additional information as it becomes available.

MAS90 v4.4 Upgrade Costs Fixed For 2010

mas90 upgrade cost fixed price.jpg

Upgrading your MAS90 or MAS200?

Schulz Consulting is now fixed cost upgrades for users moving from any version of Sage MAS90 or MAS200 to the current 4.4 release.

Instead of quoting a ranges of hours and rates – and then disclaiming unexpected events while expecting your company to shoulder the liability of any cost overrun – we provide one fixed price.

This price includes your upgrade plus 15 business days of post-conversion support. Plus it also includes all of the items below.

- Upgrade of your current system to MAS 90 or MAS 200 version 4.4
- Conversion of all data – for as many companies as you like
- Migration of custom forms
- Conversion of Visual Integrator jobs
- Conversion of Custom Crystal Reports from v10 to v11

If your system has any MAS90 or MAS200 customizations, including Extended Solutions, which require upgrading we will assist you in locating a developer who can update your customizations for an additional fee.

We’ve segmented our MAS90 & MAS200 upgrade pricing categories down into 5 different tiers. This means that smaller and less complex MAS90 users have a smaller fixed cost to upgrade than the larger companies with more users and complexity.

When needed we will assist you in finding development assistance to provide a quote for upgrading any customizations or Extended Solutions.

Your Pricing Options Will Fall Into One Category Depending Upon Company Size:

Tier 1: Under 3 users with no enhancements or add-ons

Tier 2: 5 or fewer users with enhancements or add-ons

Tier 3: 6 to 10 users with enhancements or add-ons

Tier 4: 11 to 20 users with enhancements

Tier 5: Larger 21+ user companies

Use the form below to request pricing information. We will review this and within 8 business hours provide you with a firm price for upgrading your MAS90 or MAS200:

Image via Flickr

MAS90 4.4 Upgrade Tip: Migrate Don’t Copy System Files

mas90 4.4 upgrade.jpg

Here’s a quick reminder from Sage.

When upgrading MAS90 or MAS200 to their new version 4.4 remember that the migration utilities must be used. This is so that your system files are properly copied into the new company.

You cannot migrate data once and then simply copy over any system files as you may have done in the past. Using the migration utility also means that you’ll be copying back over system files that contain UDF and Paperless Office information.

Plan ahead for testing on these areas. When needed for larger jobs you’ll probably have to export and import UDF (user defined fields) or the migration utility will write over any changes you’ve made.

Read more MAS 90 4.4 Upgrade Tips on the Sage Site

FRX 6.7 Service Pack 11 for MAS90 and MAS200 Available Now From Sage

FRX Service Pack 9 for MAS90 and MAS200.jpg

Sage just posted FRX Service Pack 9 (which had been available directly from Microsoft since December of last year).

The changes appears to be mostly bug fixes with tweaks for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 support. Another user reports that this service pack 11 for FRX also fixed a problem with Microsoft Excel 2007 compatibility.

Of course Microsoft is no longer supporting FRX after 12/31/2012 and the sales of the popular financial reporter will stop as of 12/31/2010.

Sage has announced that Alchemex (rebadged as Sage MAS Intelligence) will be their replacement product for most users. Within an as yet undetermined time Sage also has plans to introduce FR (owned by Sage and presently in use on the ACCPAC product line as the Sage Accpac Financial Reporter or FR) as a reporting tool for the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 product.

In addition to providing MAS customers with one free user license of Sage MAS Intelligence, Sage will have a promotion for customers who have bought additional FRx licenses to obtain the equivalent Sage MAS Intelligence licenses.

In the long run Sage is looking into bundling more basic FR functionality with no restriction to number of users, but this is not planned for the 4.5 release. This will be basic Financial Reporting. Sage MAS Intelligence will provide more advanced features and capabilities, not just to replace FRx features, but to provide a lot more advanced reporting and analysis capabilities as well.MAS90 and MAS200 FRX SP 11 for FRX6.7

Sage MAS90 and MAS200 FRX 6.7 Service Pack 11 (March 2010) and FRX 6.7 service pack 11 release notes

MAS90 Windows 7 Compatibility Quick Reference [Updated- 4/6/2010]

On April 6, 2010 Sage Software issued the following compatibility information. This document shows which versions of MAS90 and MAS200 are compatible with Windows 7.

Note that only versions 4.3 and 4.4 are being supported and that older versions will not be supported under Windows 7.

In order to ensure that MAS90 and MAS200 are Windows 7 compatible, be sure that you download the hotfix which we’ve posted online.

MAS90 Windows 7 Compatibility Statement – 4/6/2010