Schulz Consulting

Consulting and Upgrades

Here are The Sage 100 2018 Downloads Needed for Year-End 2018

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Here are links to all the latest file versions needed to update both Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud version 2018.x for year-end 2018 processing.

We recommend payroll users stay on the latest release of Sage 100. If you are still on Sage 100 Payroll 2017.1 or 2016.5 then you should finish the year on that release and upgrade to Payroll 2.x toward the end of Q1 2019.

If you are using 2016.5 please note that this is the last year tax tables and IRD will be available for that release.

Before upgrading your software please ensure that all third-party enhancements are compatible with the upgraded version you are moving to. Please consult your Sage partner for specific questions about the upgrade process.

These downloads include (in the order of use):

Where Required, Install Before the Last Payroll of 2018:

  • Sage 100 2018 Full Product
  • Sage 100 2018.5 – Latest Sage product update
  • Sage 100 Payroll 2.19.0 (if using Payroll 2.x)
  • Sage 100 Interim Release Download for 2018 Year-End

Install After The Last Payroll of 2018 but Before The First Payroll of 2019:

  • Sage 100 2019 Q1 tax table update – install this after printing W-2s and before the first 2019 payroll

Sage 100 2018 Download Portal

 

What Are The Differences – Sage 100 vs Sage 100cloud ( PDF Download)

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What are the key differences between Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud?

This is a question you probably have asked as you contemplate whether to change licensing to Sage 100cloud.

Sage has just published a handy PDF ( Sage 100 vs Sage 100 Cloud PDF ) which outlines what they believe are the key differences between their traditionally on-premises Sage 100 product and their subscription license based Sage 100cloud product.

Some key takeaways from our experience working with both Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud:

  • Sage 100cloud doesn’t natively run in the cloud – although you can have it hosted (for an additional fee) which is a popular option that tends to be attractive based on the ROI of hosting vs on-premises servers
  • Sage 100cloud allows you to select from the traditional Providex (Standard), Providex Client Server (Advanced) or SQL (Premium) versions with no additional charge (this is one of the most valuable benefits for many customers since previously the ability to use Sage 100 on SQL carried a hefty additional cost – which is no longer charged for Sage 100cloud subscribers).
  • Both Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud are compatible with the same product updates and generally the same enhancements/add-ons (unless listed below as Sage 100cloud specific)
  • No added complexity to install Sage 100 vs Sage 100cloud
  • Subscribing to Sage 100cloud usually doesn’t require an immediate version upgrade
  • Sage 100cloud EULA limits subscription increases to 10% annually
  • Although Sage 100 continues to be supported, future development efforts from Sage will likely focus on Sage 100cloud
  • All prior versions of Sage 100 data are upward compatible with Sage 100cloud (in most cases no data conversion/migration is needed)

 

 

 

Sage 100cloud is sold in three bundles as well as various optional add-ons as noted below:

 

 

For additional information or to request assistance with either a new or existing implementation (including migration) of Sage 100cloud please contact us 833-SAGE-100 (724-3100) or email wayne@s-consult.com.

 

 

 

 

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.

Sage Summit San Diego 2019 – Registration Now Live

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Sage Summit 2019 - San Diego

 

Registration is now open for Sage Summit 2019 – San Diego which is scheduled for February 13-15, 2019 at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina.

This is the first of two Sage Summit stops in 2019.

The other Summit is scheduled for Atlanta May 13-15, 2019 with registration scheduled to open on February 13, 2019.

The San Diego and Atlanta events feature the same content so there is no need to register for both events.

Detailed agenda and breakout sessions for Sage Summit San Diego are now available.

Pricing for San Diego is as follows:

  • $199 per attendee through December 31, 2018
  • $299 per attendee January 1 through 31, 2019
  • $300 per attendee February 1, 2019, and after

 

 

Sage Summit 2019 – San Diego will be hosted at The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina with rooms available for a listed attendee price of $219/night + taxes and fees.

Sage also posted the Sage Summit San Diego detailed agenda for the three days.

Sage Summit 2019 – San Diego – Agenda

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

  • 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Exclusive Partner, Sponsor, and Sage Accountants Network day
  • 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Welcome reception for all Sage Summit Attendees

Thursday, February 14, 2019

  • 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Keynote / guest speaker
  • 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Break and product showcase
  • 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Breakouts
  • 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch and product showcase
  • 1:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Breakouts
  • 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Reception

Friday, February 15, 2019

  • 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Keynote
  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Break
  • 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Breakouts
  • 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Closing statements
  • 12:30 p.m. – Boxed lunch and departure

 

Your ticket includes all keynotes, breakouts, two evening receptions, access to the vendor area as well as all listed meals.

 

For registration and more information visit – Sage Summit 2019 – San Diego

 

 

 

 

Sage 100 Time & Billing Solutions Update

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A question was recently asked about the status of Sage 100 Time and Billing and when might we see the next release. What follows is information shared by SWK Technologies about their progress with the Sage 100 and Sage 100cloud compatible version of Time and Billing as well as some changes to the existing Sage 100 Time and Billing Standard product.

 

You may recall that in February 2018 the developer SWK Technologies announced a renewed focus on updating their Sage 100 Time and Billing Professional to the latest Sage 100 release level.

SWK will refocus efforts on developing Time & Billing Professional in 2018, as well as additional solutions that deliver greater value to time entry, billing, and reporting functions. The relaunch of Time & Professional and Timekeeper, as well as the launch of new Time & Billing solutions, will be covered in greater detail at Meeting of the Minds 2018 hosted by 90 Minds in San Diego, California.

Since that time the development efforts have been ongoing and SWK Director of Product Management & Development Mark Janecek created this extensive update on where things stand with Time & Billing for Sage 100.

 

In response to customer feedback, SWK announced a renewed focus on our time and billing solutions and outlined our strategy for these products earlier this year. This renewed focus/strategy includes:

    • Time and Billing Professional – We are making an investment in Time and Billing Professional and actively moving it to the Sage 100 framework. The development team has been working on this project for the lion share of this calendar year and is making great progress. We are currently on track to have Time and Billing Professional on the Sage 100 framework in the first quarter of 2019. We recently brought in more development resources to keep to this project on track.

 

    • Timekeeper – Timekeeper is a Sage 100 framework module that integrates with Time and Billing Professional and Time and Billing Standard, it also integrates with Sage 100 A/R, Sales Order, Job Cost, and Payroll. We invested in updating Timekeeper to work with the new Sage 100 v2018 Payroll and Job Cost framework modules earlier this year. The solution can be run directly within Sage 100, from desktop workstations using Timekeeper Entry, or remotely in multiple configurations including a web client using a third-party add-on.

 

  • Time and Billing Intelligence – Time and Billing Intelligence (TBi) Is our newest addition to our Time and Billing Solutions portfolio. When building this solution, we focused on providing the in-depth reporting needs Time and Billing Professional/Standard customers had been requesting. This solution sits outside of Sage 100 and uses Microsoft SQL Server Express to crunch the data needed to generate the dashboards and data views. We also focused on ease of deployment – specifically, the installation process which includes wizards to setup MS SQL Server Express and establishes connectivity to Time and Billing Professional and Time and Billing Standard.

Simply stated, our strategy is to update these tools and add additional features to them so users can track the time with Timekeeper, bill the time with Time and Billing Professional, and analyze the time with Time and Billing Intelligence.

If you would like more details on our portfolio of products, or if you would like to see a short demonstration of Time and Billing Intelligence, we posted a recording of a recent webinar on our newly live website (www.timeandbillingsolutions.com). A direct link to the page with the recording is below:

Miss the Time and Billing Webinar – No Problem – click here to view

With our focus on Time and Billing Professional, we also announced that we would no longer update Time and Billing Standard past the currently available Sage 100 v2018 release. Customers running Time and Billing Standard with Sage 100 v2018 and earlier can continue using Time and Billing Standard; however to upgrade to Sage 100 v2019 (once released) and beyond customers will need to migrate to Time and Billing Professional. We have outlined a migration plan – any customer on active maintenance for Time and Billing Professional or Time and Billing Standard is entitled to the new Time and Billing Professional framework edition once released. Please note, we already have a migration tool to move customers from Time and Billing Standard to Time and Billing Professional (non-framework) for customers who wish to migrate now. Additionally, we are running a maintenance amnesty till the end of the month so clients can get back on maintenance easily.

Time and Billing Professional (non-framework) and Timekeeper are available for Sage 100 v2018 and earlier now. Time and Billing Intelligence will be available very soon. If you would like to discuss your prospects time and billing needs or would like more information on maintenance amnesty or our current Timekeeper promotion, please do reach to our dedicated Time and Billing Solutions sales executive Siria Kresser. You can reach out to Siria Kresser at siria.kresser@swktech.com or at 973-396-1741.

 

Based on SWK’s update it appears users of Sage 100 Time and Billing can expect an updated release in the first quarter of 2019.

 

 

 

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