90p Admin

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

To: 90 Minds Board of Directors
From: Anne Sawyer, Executive Director
Date: March 3, 2026
Subject: Ask Sage Anything – Member Survey Results (Summary for Record)

Purpose

To document the core themes, risks, and partner priorities captured through the "Ask Sage Anything" member survey, intended to shape our executive-level engagement with Sage and guide 90 Minds advocacy.

1) Response Snapshot

• Total responses: 12

• Top member-selected priority topics (Select up to 3):

  • Sage 100 Roadmap (10)

  • Product Innovation (8)

  • AI & Automation (4)

  • Competitive Positioning (3)

  • Additional single mentions: Support/enablement, Intacct strategy, X3 strategy, manufacturing solutions growth, and "base product should include commonly-needed features now handled by third parties."

Bottom line: Members are asking for clear commitment and visible reinvestment in Sage 100-especially for manufacturing/distribution-plus modernization (AI/automation) and competitive capability.

2) What Members Asked Sage "With No Filter"

The direct questions cluster into five consistent themes:

A. Sage 100 commitment and reinvestment

Members openly questioned whether Sage is still committed to Sage 100 and why investment appears uneven versus Intacct/X3. The tone reflects fear of "maintenance mode."

B. Manufacturing & Distribution focus

Multiple questions directly ask if Sage will continue to support and invest in manufacturing and advanced distribution, including make-to-order/custom manufacturing.

C. Clarity on discontinuations and product direction

Members requested clear, concise documentation and answers regarding subscription discontinuations and related product changes, reflecting concern about surprise shifts.

D. SDMO / Operations Management uncertainty

Questions raised confusion over the status and ownership of SDMO/Operations Management/JobOps, who is responsible for enhancements, and the quality/pace of upgrades and support.

E. Sage competing with partners

A pointed question accused Sage of entering consulting and "stealing clients," reflecting ongoing sensitivity around channel conflict.

3) Tensions / Uncertainties in the Ecosystem

Recurring tensions identified:

1. Roadmap uncertainty: Partners cannot confidently position Sage 100 without clear near-term and 3-year direction.

2. Upgrade friction: Upgrades are described as expensive and time-consuming due to the volume of enhancements; some respondents cite multi-month upgrade projects.

3. Operations Management risk: Concerns about slow updates, limited support responsiveness, and the risk of customers leaving the ecosystem due to OM instability.

4. Modernization gaps: Sage 100 perceived as "legacy" and harder to secure/operate compared to modern offerings (security/ports/permissions concerns were explicitly cited).

5. Ecosystem compatibility: Strong desire for standardized install/uninstall/compatibility across third-party enhancements-"app store" expectations.

4) Decisions Partners Are Struggling to Make Right Now

Members indicated they need clarity to decide:

• Whether Sage 100 remains an attractive, defensible platform for new sales, especially in manufacturing.

• Whether partners should transition Sage 100 customers to Intacct, X3, or non-Sage competitors due to uncertainty.

• Whether to shift manufacturing clients to alternative modules/solutions (e.g., Production Management) and how to handle make-to-order requirements.

• How to maintain hosted/managed offerings without channel conflict and without risking customer poaching.

5) What Partners Want the Ecosystem to Look Like in 3 Years

Vision themes included:

• Stronger two-way collaboration with Sage through 90 Minds (explicitly named multiple times).

• Clear product vision per product line (Sage 100, Intacct, X3) with fewer mixed signals.

• A more open and healthier developer ecosystem (including calls for more open OEM module access).

• Defined partner roles in an AI-driven future (partners not displaced by AI or direct selling).

• A credible modernization pathway: "true cloud + embedded AI" was stated explicitly by at least one respondent.

6) Risks Identified

From the responses, the most immediate risks to 90 Minds and member firms are:

1. Partner confidence erosion (roadmap uncertainty → fewer new Sage 100 wins).

2. Customer churn risk tied to Operations Management and modernization gaps.

3. Channel conflict perception (direct consulting / hosted offerings perceived as competitive).

4. Innovation narrative gap (partners do not see "compelling improvements," only incremental gap-filling).

7) Recommended Board-Level Next Steps

To ensure this input translates into leverage and outcomes:

1. Request a formal Sage 100 roadmap briefing (12–36 month view) explicitly addressing manufacturing/distribution priorities.

2. Secure an "Operations Management/SDMO clarity statement": ownership, roadmap, support model, and upgrade timeline commitments.

3. Ask Sage to define partner roles and guardrails: what Sage will and will not do in consulting/managed services to reduce channel conflict.

4. Propose an ecosystem compatibility initiative: a standard for third-party enhancement certification and install/uninstall consistency.

5. Use 90 Minds as the ongoing feedback loop: quarterly pulse survey + quarterly executive Q&A to prevent rumor cycles and rebuild trust.

Closing Statement for Record

These survey results reflect a consistent message: partners want Sage 100 to remain viable and competitive, but they need clear commitment, visible reinvestment, and operational reliability-especially in manufacturing/distribution and in the Operations Management ecosystem. This memo is entered into record to guide board visibility and strategic advocacy.