Schulz Consulting

Sage 100cloud Consulting

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 Advises Their Users: Wait To Install Sage 100cloud 2018 Product Update 4

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V-Technologies, publisher of the popular Starship shipping solution for Sage 100cloud just notified users they should wait to install the latest Sage 100cloud 2018 Product Update 4.

Are you planning an upgrade to Sage 100cloud 2018 Product Update 4?
We are in the process of performing compatibility tests with StarShip for Sage 100cloud 2018 PU4. Please delay upgrading to Sage 100cloud 2018.4 as this interface is currently NOT supported. The 2018.4 release includes an enhancement to support multiple orders against a shipment resulting in extensive changes to Shipping Data Entry. We are actively reviewing the changes and options for supporting this enhancement and expect to provide an updated roadmap soon. We will contact you as soon as we have more information.

 

If you are using Starship with Sage 100cloud be sure to wait for the notice from V-Technologies telling you it’s safe to install the latest Sage product update.

To receive timely information about Sage 100cloud, consider signing up for our weekly Sage 100cloud email newsletter – Schulz Says.

 

 

Sage 100 2018 Product Update 4 Available for Download

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Sage has just released the latest product update 4 for their Sage 100 accounting product.

Before installing the update be certain to check with your Sage partner. If you are using any 3rd party enhancements you also should verify (and in many cases reinstall them) compatibility.

Product updates are self-installable bundles of fixes. These updates often contain new features which have been added between the major update releases (Sage 100 2019 ETA March 2019).

Sage 100 2018.4 is available for both Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud users.

New to this release:

  • Credit card EMV chip support
  • Processing payment cards with EMV chips through Paya (formerly Sage Payment
    Solutions) is supported when using the following card readers:

    • Ingenico ipp320
    • Equinox L5300
  • Consolidate multiple sales orders onto one invoice inside Shipping Data Entry
  • Sage University videos accessed from within Sage 100
  • Click here for the full list (pdf)

Notable fixes include: 

Beginning with Payroll 2.0 for Sage 100 2018 the payroll updates are installed separately. The latest payroll release 2.18.4 was also released and users can download that update from here.

Schulz Consulting provides consulting services for all versions of Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud. Based in Glastonbury  Connecticut, we service all of the New England areas including New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Whether you are looking for a Sage 100 second opinion, an upgrade to your existing system or perhaps a new Sage 100cloud implementation — we can provide assistance.

Pricing is all fixed fee for Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud consulting. We support all versions and platforms of Sage 100.

Some of the integrated third-party solutions which we work with include:

  • V-Technologies – Starship Shipping for Sage 100
  • Scanforce Warehouse Management
  • DSD Multi-Bin for Sage 100 Inventory
  • Avalara Sales Tax Integration to Sage 100
  • DSD InstaDocs for Sage 100
  • xkzero iSales and Getx search
  • cimcloud / Website Pipeline ecommerce
  • ROI Consulting – IN-SYNCH

 

Please make a backup first and check with your Sage partner before installing any product updates or enhancements.

For more information and to review the expected release schedule for future Sage 100 updates please visit this link.

Sage 100cloud 2018.3 and Payroll 2.18.2 Updates Available for Download

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Sage has just released the latest product updates for Sage 100cloud 2018 and Payroll 2.18.2.

 

The Sage 100cloud 2018.3 update includes important fixes to the core Sage 100cloud system:

  • Running the credit card settlement report in Accounts Receivable no longer produces an error ( TLS 1.2 compatibility )
  • PO Receipt Header User Defined Field (UDF) now updates PO Purchase Order Header UDF
  • Various Job Cost fixes ( 20 ) since the prior product update
  • Several Sales Order fixes
  • Apply Multiple Sales Orders to an Invoice
  • Improved Calendar Navigation
  • Item Images open in Photo Viewer
  • Sync Misc Charge Changes with Bill Tables
  • Program Fixes

The latest update for Sage 100cloud 2018.3 may be downloaded from the Sage portal – here.  If you are also using the Sage 100cloud Payroll module then download the payroll update from here.

Sage 100 2017.5 was also released. This is the last product update schedule for version 2017. You may access the download here.

 

How Do I Cancel or Modify My Sage 100cloud Subscription?

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Is your company using Sage 100cloud and do you need to cancel or modify your subscription?

There is an easy way to accomplish this and it can all be done online at the Sage site.

How To Modify Your Sage 100cloud Subscription

You’ll need to be a contact listed on the Sage account and also provide your company’s Sage account number (look under Help – About).

Once you have that information you can:

  • Cancel your Sage 100cloud subscription
  • Modify your Sage 100cloud subscription
    • Note: To add licenses you’ll need to contact Sage sales directly 800-854-3415

Be sure to select “Partial Cancellation” if you only wish to make changes to the user count or modules.

Also, the terms of Sage’s End User License Agreement ( EULA ) govern whether you will be eligible for a refund. In most cases, you will only be able to make changes for a future subscription renewal as existing subscription fees are generally not refundable for the time period you originally selected.

Sage 100cloud subscription cancellation or modification form

How To Update Your Sage 100cloud Keys For Changes

Once you’ve made changes to your Sage 100cloud subscription the keys will be automatically changed by Sage. Your system will contact the Sage server on a regular basis to check for updates and changes as well as expired subscriptions.

Should you need to upgrade the keys sooner, such as if you purchase added modules or users, follow the procedure in this Sage 100cloud knowledgebase article:

To update license and subscription information in Sage 100 (2016, 2017,2018):

Use one of the following methods to open the System Configuration window:

  1. Log on using the Administrator account. In the Administrative Tools screen, click System Configuration.
  2. Select Library Master, Main, System Configuration
  3. Click the Registration tab.
  4. Click Update.
  5. Click Accept.

    The system checks for and updates your product key so that your new license and/or subscription takes effect.

 

 

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Schulz Consulting
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone: 833.724.3100
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Locally serving all of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont,
New York, New Jersey. Available remotely nationwide.
We are a local branch of DSD Business Systems Connecticut.