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Sage 100cloud – Providex ( PVX ) vs SQL – Pros And Cons

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As Sage 100 users migrate to  Sage 100cloud we are often advising them to consider whether a move to a SQL database may be of benefit to their operations.

One of the key benefits of the Sage 100cloud subscription is the ability to use any of the following flavors of Sage 100cloud with no additional charge for changing the underlying database driving Sage 100cloud:

  1. Sage 100cloud Standard  – Providex based
  2. Sage 100cloud Advanced – Providex based – runs in a client-server type environments
  3. Sage 100cloud Premium – SQL backend – runs on Microsoft SQL server

What’s The Best Option For Sage 100cloud: Providex or SQL?

Below is a condensed version of the pros and cons of changing your Sage 100cloud to a back-end SQL database. Typically we recommend considering this switch when you:

  1. Have significant database sizes (> 500 MB) and expecting to continue growing
  2. Noticeably slow reporting – especially with externally connected reports/queries
  3. 10+ users on the system concurrently (now or expected in the future)

Your end users don’t need to know anything about SQL. About the only thing they’ll notice is if they use the SOTAMAS90 for external reporting they will have to change drivers in favor of a connection to the SQL tables.

Benefits of SQL for Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud

  • No premium for premium (a true benefit of Sage 100cloud subscription)
  • External reports based on SOTAMAS90 pretty easy to convert to Premium
  • Customers notice a speed increase in external reporting (true value added)
  • Virtually all 3rd party ISV solutions work with Premium
  • Reporting via external tools/connections can be significantly faster
  • Straightforward to set up Sage 100cloud on Premium
  • The prior penalty for SQL speeds in native Sage screens seems mostly gone
  • Data File Display & Maintenance (DFDM) goes away but you can download a free DSD SQL DFDM
  • Skilled users can use SQL tools for query/changes (recommend locking users out of write capabilities)

Disadvantages of SQL for Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud

  • Need to be comfortable setting up a SQL server
  • Some customers reluctant to invest in a new server to maintain (especially if they don’t have on-staff IT person)
  • Sage has limited info about how to configure the SQL server
  • Easy to use SQL tools to change data without Sage 100cloud which could result in lost data if not performed by a qualified person
  • WO, MRP users can’t use Premium as of December 2018 (due Q1 2019)
  • Tricks you may do with Providex such as swapping in or out single data files are difficult/impossible with Premium
  • Cannot simply insert a new license key – a system upgrade will be required which involves migrating existing data to a new installation of Sage 100cloud Premium

 

If you are considering a move to Sage 100cloud Premium ( aka SQL ) then consult our summarized guide to selecting and configuring Microsoft SQL for Sage 100 Premium.

The use of SQL is a popular selection for growing Sage 100cloud customers with significant reporting requirements now or in the future.

For more information contacts us or give your Sage 100cloud partner a call.

StarShip Compatibility with Sage100cloud 2018.4+ Now Available

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V-Technologies, the publisher behind the popular StarShip shipping integration software for Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud, has just emailed their users about updates to their Sage integration.

A new feature in Sage 100 2018.4+ allows for the combination of multiple sales orders onto one invoice. This new feature required some fine-tuning on the part of V-Technologies to ensure that their StarShip link integration which synchronizes data between Sage 100cloud and StarShip continued to function.

According to the November 29, 2018 email:

We have completed compatibility testing with StarShip for Sage 100cloud 2018 PU4. Our latest release of StarShip now interfaces with Sage 100cloud 2018.4 with the following limitation. StarShip will continue to create 1 invoice per order when consolidating multiple orders in a shipment. We plan to further enhance the integration to support consolidated information when using the invoice document as a source. This is planned for a 2019 release.

You are eligible to receive updates as part of your active software Software Maintenance plan.

DOWNLOAD STARSHIP 18.0.3

Users already running version 18.0 need to run a web update to receive the latest build:

  • Exit the StarShip Server Manager and Client(s)
  • From the machine hosting the StarShip Server, run the web update from Start > All Programs > StarShip Server > StarShip Server Web Update
  • From all client machines, run the web update(s) from Start > All Programs > StarShip Client > StarShip Client Web Update
  • Run the Client and verify your version from Help > About…
    Version: 18.0.3

More information is available in the StarShip help files or

Sage 100 2018.5 Product Update Available Now

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Sage has released product update 5 for Sage 100 2018.

This product update features the following enhancements as well as miscellaneous bug fixes:

Bank Reconciliation

  • Sage Bank Feeds – import bank transactions to Check, Deposit and Adjustment entry and match them against Sage 100 transactions

Job Cost

  • Certified Payroll Reporting – This report is added to the reports menu in payroll 2.18.5
  • Job Contractor Maintenance – Add info for each contractor you do business with via this feature found on the Job Cost setup menu
  • Cost Code Detail – This button has been moved to the MORE menu

You can download Sage 100 2018.5 from this link and also view a full list of all fixes or enhancements which were added by downloading this Sage 100 2018.5 What’s New guide (PDF).

Before installing any updates please check with your Sage partner. If you have third-party integrations you will need to verify that those integrations are compatible with this update prior to installation.

 

Sage Payroll Update 2.18.5 Available Now

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Sage just released the latest version of their Sage 100 / Sage 100cloud Payroll module.

This update is for Sage 100 2018.1+ users and can be installed independently of the main Sage 100 product updates.

If you are using a version of Sage 100 prior to v2018 you need to update your payroll by using the product update or IRD (Interim Release Download) for that version.

Payroll Version 2.18.5 is for users of Sage 100 2018.1+ and features these enhancements:

  • Check and  Direct Deposit Stub Sort Options – A sort by field has been added to the printing window to allow sorting by Employee
  • Number, Employee Name, Employee Department and Name (if you use departments)
  • Salary Equalization Utility – Added to Time Track and used to adjust employee pay amounts in Time Track
  • Payroll Conversion Wizard – Locat tax conversion options expanded
  • Certified Payroll Reporting – Added to the Payroll reports menu

You can download the Sage 100 Payroll 2.18.5 update from here and read the what’s new details here (pdf).

As always, we recommend you consult with your Sage partner prior to installing any updates. If you have third-party integrations you’ll need to be sure that the integrations are compatible with this new release as well.

 

Sage 100 Year-End 2018 Version Requirements

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As the year-end approaches, we’ve begun receiving calls from our customers about what version of Sage 100 or Sage 100cloud they should adopt in preparation for year-end processing.

In advance of the 12/31 year-end, an interim release download ( IRD )  is typically made available.  This download contains last-minute fixes to prepare your payroll or accounts payable system for W2 or 1099 filing. It may also include other changes required by last-minute tax law updates.

Sage 100 Versions required to install IRD and process year end:

  •  2016 PU5
  • 2017 PU1 or higher
  • 2018 PU2 or higher

Sage 100 v2018 users need this Payroll 2.0 Versions for processing year-end:

  • Sage 100 2018 users need Payroll 2.18.5 (available in mid-Nov)
  • Payroll tax table update ( TTU )will be available for 2016 and 2017 (Payroll for 2018 uses an Internet download to receive tax updates)
  • Payroll 2.0 does NOT require a TTU. Tax information is maintained in CLAD and system table changes will be pushed down via the Payroll Tax Update within the software.
  • Available December 19th (estimated)

Most importantly, please remember that this is the last year for Sage 100 2016 to receive any year-end related updates. If you are using this version of Sage 100 then, at the latest,  you will want to upgrade in the early part of 2019.

Please refer to the follow Sage KB article for information on the supported Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud versions.

 

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Phone: 833.724.3100
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