90 Minds Community

Have any of you ever participated in the Sage 100 college donation program? I hooked up a local college with this program back in 2001. It was discontinued some time ago, but Connie Zervakos was able to get new reg codes for them as recently as 2013. Sage doesn't want to renew them again, which is a shame, because the college turns out hundreds of students with accounting degrees and knowledgeable about Sage 100. This is the easiest and least costly promotion program that Sage could have. Our PAM isn't being the least bit helpful. She's just repeating the company line that the program has been discontinued. Does anyone know whose better angels I can appeal to?

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
------------------------------

I have found Nancy Harris to be a good listener when presented with a problem and a common sense approach to dealing with it.  It might be a bit more horsepower than is necessary, but I suspect the issue could be addressed quickly.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Jeff Mack
President and CEO
ICS Support
Redmond WA
425-820-6120
------------------------------

I handled a local community college through this program, a while ago. The college used the MAS 90 license to teach basics of accounting (GL, AR, AP, BR, and PR).  The best part, I was able to get to know the instructor, and he's become a friend and resource.  Unfortunately, when it was time to upgrade the curriculum, Sage would not donate the license, and they switched the class to QuickBooks. 

SAP has took the lead and gained in this area, fulfilling an education requirement using their product.  They have certificate programs at many universities, most of them online classes. 

------------------------------
Moira Goggin
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 01:52
From: Jeff Mack
Subject: College Donation Program

I have found Nancy Harris to be a good listener when presented with a problem and a common sense approach to dealing with it.  It might be a bit more horsepower than is necessary, but I suspect the issue could be addressed quickly.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Jeff Mack
President and CEO
ICS Support
Redmond WA
425-820-6120
------------------------------

This is a marketing issue. By not having this program, Sage is missing out on a huge amount of potential revenue, in addition to built-in advocates of the product and brand​. And that is what marketing is all about.

------------------------------
John Hoyt
Forming Solutions: john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com
Next Level Manufacturing Consulting Group: johnh@nextlevelMCG.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:47
From: Moira Goggin
Subject: College Donation Program

I handled a local community college through this program, a while ago. The college used the MAS 90 license to teach basics of accounting (GL, AR, AP, BR, and PR).  The best part, I was able to get to know the instructor, and he's become a friend and resource.  Unfortunately, when it was time to upgrade the curriculum, Sage would not donate the license, and they switched the class to QuickBooks.

SAP has took the lead and gained in this area, fulfilling an education requirement using their product.  They have certificate programs at many universities, most of them online classes. 

------------------------------
Moira Goggin
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc.
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 01:52
From: Jeff Mack
Subject: College Donation Program

I have found Nancy Harris to be a good listener when presented with a problem and a common sense approach to dealing with it.  It might be a bit more horsepower than is necessary, but I suspect the issue could be addressed quickly.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Jeff Mack
President and CEO
ICS Support
Redmond WA
425-820-6120

I agree with Jeff.  Nancy is a good listener.  However, I would recommend starting the conversation with Tim Harfield and going from there.  He may be able to ask some questions without needing to go all the way to Nancy at the beginning.  Internally at Eide Bailly, we use Sage 100 for our client services.  We have over 500 internal clients on Sage 100.  Originally, we were able to get help from Sage because they wanted to push this program with CPA firms.  Today, the attention has definitely dwindled.  Good luck.​

------------------------------
Alan Clark
Eide Bailly, Inc.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 01:52
From: Jeff Mack
Subject: College Donation Program

I have found Nancy Harris to be a good listener when presented with a problem and a common sense approach to dealing with it.  It might be a bit more horsepower than is necessary, but I suspect the issue could be addressed quickly.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Jeff Mack
President and CEO
ICS Support
Redmond WA
425-820-6120
------------------------------

@Alan Clark I was thinking the same thing in terms of contacting Timothy. He comes from academic institutions, so he understands the potential there. As I already stated, this is a marketing topic, and that is his area. I imagine the original program was administered under Education or some other administrative group that had little understanding or appreciation for marketing, and then they looked at costs and budgets and terminated it.​​

I was just about to e-mail Timothy when your comment came through, Alan, and since I owe Timothy an e-mail, I'll follow through with that. I'll report back the responses.

------------------------------
John Hoyt
Forming Solutions: john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com
Next Level Manufacturing Consulting Group: johnh@nextlevelMCG.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 21:43
From: Alan Clark
Subject: College Donation Program

I agree with Jeff.  Nancy is a good listener.  However, I would recommend starting the conversation with Tim Harfield and going from there.  He may be able to ask some questions without needing to go all the way to Nancy at the beginning.  Internally at Eide Bailly, we use Sage 100 for our client services.  We have over 500 internal clients on Sage 100.  Originally, we were able to get help from Sage because they wanted to push this program with CPA firms.  Today, the attention has definitely dwindled.  Good luck.​

------------------------------
Alan Clark
Eide Bailly, Inc.
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 01:52
From: Jeff Mack
Subject: College Donation Program

I have found Nancy Harris to be a good listener when presented with a problem and a common sense approach to dealing with it.  It might be a bit more horsepower than is necessary, but I suspect the issue could be addressed quickly.  Good luck!

------------------------------
Jeff Mack
President and CEO
ICS Support
Redmond WA
425-820-6120

The problem is Sage doesn’t have a “most loved” product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let’s face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
---------------------------------

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990
---------------------------------

Yeah, I was thinking someone needs to tell Nancy Harris that at least one of her reports doesn't understand that the cost of a donated software license is $0...

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 20:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: College Donation Program

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990

I have EXCELLENT news to report! Based on feedback from several of you and my very own @Brian Kelly, I reached out to Timothy Harfield. He picked up this banner, lobbied for the idea internally, made a case for it, and now Sage has officially provided a new license including payroll for use in the classroom. ​The college is so thrilled. I'm thrilled. Timothy saw the vision and the potential future revenue from having college graduates being released into the work force who will likely advocate for this software. I am so impressed with this man.

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90Minds Board Member at Large
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 10:18
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: College Donation Program

Yeah, I was thinking someone needs to tell Nancy Harris that at least one of her reports doesn't understand that the cost of a donated software license is $0...

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 20:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: College Donation Program

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990

Way to go Karen O'Lane and Timothy Harfield!  This is truly a Christmas miracle.  Maybe there is hope for SAGE.

------------------------------
Michael McDonald - Consultant
Michael T McDonald CPA
616-813-8887 - mike@mcdcpa.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2019 14:41
From: Karen O'Lane
Subject: College Donation Program

I have EXCELLENT news to report! Based on feedback from several of you and my very own @Brian Kelly, I reached out to Timothy Harfield. He picked up this banner, lobbied for the idea internally, made a case for it, and now Sage has officially provided a new license including payroll for use in the classroom. ​The college is so thrilled. I'm thrilled. Timothy saw the vision and the potential future revenue from having college graduates being released into the work force who will likely advocate for this software. I am so impressed with this man.

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90Minds Board Member at Large
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 10:18
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: College Donation Program

Yeah, I was thinking someone needs to tell Nancy Harris that at least one of her reports doesn't understand that the cost of a donated software license is $0...

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5


Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 20:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: College Donation Program

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990

@Karen O'Lane Congratulations on this accomplishment​​! You did a great job following up and succeeding in about 4 months.

------------------------------
John Hoyt, Co-Founder
Next Level Manufacturing Consulting Group
johnh@nextlevelMCG.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2019 15:18
From: Michael McDonald
Subject: College Donation Program

Way to go Karen O'Lane and Timothy Harfield!  This is truly a Christmas miracle.  Maybe there is hope for SAGE.

------------------------------
Michael McDonald - Consultant
Michael T McDonald CPA
616-813-8887 - mike@mcdcpa.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2019 14:41
From: Karen O'Lane
Subject: College Donation Program

I have EXCELLENT news to report! Based on feedback from several of you and my very own @Brian Kelly, I reached out to Timothy Harfield. He picked up this banner, lobbied for the idea internally, made a case for it, and now Sage has officially provided a new license including payroll for use in the classroom. ​The college is so thrilled. I'm thrilled. Timothy saw the vision and the potential future revenue from having college graduates being released into the work force who will likely advocate for this software. I am so impressed with this man.

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90Minds Board Member at Large


Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 10:18
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: College Donation Program

Yeah, I was thinking someone needs to tell Nancy Harris that at least one of her reports doesn't understand that the cost of a donated software license is $0...

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5


Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 20:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: College Donation Program

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990

It look the 3 P's: persistence, perseverance, and pluck.

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90Minds Board Member at Large
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2019 18:05
From: John Hoyt
Subject: College Donation Program

@Karen O'Lane Congratulations on this accomplishment​​! You did a great job following up and succeeding in about 4 months.

------------------------------
John Hoyt, Co-Founder
Next Level Manufacturing Consulting Group
johnh@nextlevelMCG.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2019 15:18
From: Michael McDonald
Subject: College Donation Program

Way to go Karen O'Lane and Timothy Harfield!  This is truly a Christmas miracle.  Maybe there is hope for SAGE.

------------------------------
Michael McDonald - Consultant
Michael T McDonald CPA
616-813-8887 - mike@mcdcpa.com


Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2019 14:41
From: Karen O'Lane
Subject: College Donation Program

I have EXCELLENT news to report! Based on feedback from several of you and my very own @Brian Kelly, I reached out to Timothy Harfield. He picked up this banner, lobbied for the idea internally, made a case for it, and now Sage has officially provided a new license including payroll for use in the classroom. ​The college is so thrilled. I'm thrilled. Timothy saw the vision and the potential future revenue from having college graduates being released into the work force who will likely advocate for this software. I am so impressed with this man.

------------------------------
Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90Minds Board Member at Large


Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 10:18
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: College Donation Program

Yeah, I was thinking someone needs to tell Nancy Harris that at least one of her reports doesn't understand that the cost of a donated software license is $0...

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5


Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 20:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: College Donation Program

What is the big deal for coughing up a license?  Sage afraid of the college using the NFR for their own accounting system.  What is Sage really losing besides good will and the opportunity for future generations having a leg up with Sage 100?  Os Sage 50 in the program?  The cost is negligible, the reseller does all the leg work,.,

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444


Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 20:34
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: College Donation Program

The problem is Sage doesn't have a "most loved" product for more than two years. Maybe three.

They have alternated pushing Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage Live, Sage Business Cloud (which let's face it is a show for investors and analysts), Sage 500, Sage Intacct, Sage Enterprise Management/X3.

I can see how Sage would have a tough time figuring out which product to spotlight in a college environment.

And this, IMO, perfectly sums up the challenges of Sage.

---------------------------------
Wayne Schulz - Schulz Consulting - 860-516-8990