Sage 100

Its my understanding that there isn't a really "great" solution out there for Field Services in Sage 100. Is that correct? What are everyone's thoughts on the subject? Is there a need in the market for a new Field Services solution? Is there a solution out there that you typically recommend to customers who need field services? For prospects or current Sage 100 customers is there a go to solution or are you recommending another platform such as Acumatica with Field Services? I know there is MSI, Ascent, Job Ops... .trying to determine if it would make sense for us to create a new Field Service module or add Field Services functionality into our Service Center module.

------------------------------
Nicole Ronchetti
DSD Business Systems
------------------------------

xkzero Mobile Commerce is continuously adding field service capabilities. We welcome hearing about any client needs to let you know if we're in range.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero
------------------------------

I think @Paul Ziliak should hire more mature help! Would I trust a company run by such a young ​fellow?? ;)

------------------------------
Therese Logeais
Technology Integrators
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:58
From: Paul Ziliak
Subject: Field Services Prospects

xkzero Mobile Commerce is continuously adding field service capabilities. We welcome hearing about any client needs to let you know if we're in range.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero
------------------------------

I have this Benjamin Button thing going and I can't seem to stop the reverse aging thing!! :)

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 17:00
From: Therese Logeais
Subject: Field Services Prospects

I think @Paul Ziliak should hire more mature help! Would I trust a company run by such a young ​fellow?? ;)

------------------------------
Therese Logeais
Technology Integrators
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:58
From: Paul Ziliak
Subject: Field Services Prospects

xkzero Mobile Commerce is continuously adding field service capabilities. We welcome hearing about any client needs to let you know if we're in range.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

There seem to be more ways to screw up an FS enhancement to Sage than there are to get it right. Just Google that and you get a number of things that you know are "meh." 

We looked into this 5 years ago. MSI was pretty good for functionality in the space where I thought most Sage 100 customers would be. But their sync reputation sucked, so ... worth looking at those features.

If I were you, I'd try to have an in-depth discussion with Jeffrey Gregoric, He's now with TimeLinx, but he was first with <g class="gr_ gr_413 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="413" data-gr-id="413">Saleslogix</g>, then Blytheco, then briefly an FS company which joined 90 Minds just before its VC blew it up. TimeLinx is trying to go after FS in Sage 100 via its CRM foundation, but Jeff might talk with you about features anyway.

I talked with him for about an hour around the time he gave his FS company's presentation to 90 Minds. He is pretty convinced that FS is a "greenfield" business opportunity. That's one reason he then invested <g class="gr_ gr_804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="804" data-gr-id="804">into</g> TimeLinx. 

I would also discuss with Paul Ziliak. His app fills a particular set of needs, and well. You could readily understand if it makes sense to develop beyond it. 

Whatever you do, it seems to me that you should put it all in web services to explicitly plan to connect to a <g class="gr_ gr_1043 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1043" data-gr-id="1043">couple</g> other ERPs too.


------------------------------
Jerry Norman
Smartbridge Partners
Austin TX
5124191444x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:57
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Field Services Prospects

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

There's a fellow 90minder who's invited us to a discovery for a large field service opportunity (this discovery is tomorrow, coincidentally). The other solution their client is considering is a sharp looking mobile solutions built specifically for the industry the client is in. But that solution has zero integration with Sage 100. 

It was never our intention to have our Mobile Commerce solution morph toward field service, but in the past 6 months we've done 4 deals with Sage 100 customers who are coffee wholesalers. Each one of them, besides doing route sales and direct store delivery, also provides office coffee equipment loaner and service. The result is a ton of new functionality all fully integrated with Sage 100.  

It will be interesting to see how the discovery goes tomorrow...

If we end up being fortunate enough to win this deal I would not be shocked to see the emergence of xkzero Mobile Commerce - Field Service Edition. I'll keep you posted.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 16:56
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There seem to be more ways to screw up an FS enhancement to Sage than there are to get it right. Just Google that and you get a number of things that you know are "meh."

We looked into this 5 years ago. MSI was pretty good for functionality in the space where I thought most Sage 100 customers would be. But their sync reputation sucked, so ... worth looking at those features.

If I were you, I'd try to have an in-depth discussion with Jeffrey Gregoric, He's now with TimeLinx, but he was first with <g class="gr_ gr_413 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="413" data-gr-id="413">Saleslogix</g>, then Blytheco, then briefly an FS company which joined 90 Minds just before its VC blew it up. TimeLinx is trying to go after FS in Sage 100 via its CRM foundation, but Jeff might talk with you about features anyway.

I talked with him for about an hour around the time he gave his FS company's presentation to 90 Minds. He is pretty convinced that FS is a "greenfield" business opportunity. That's one reason he then invested <g class="gr_ gr_804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="804" data-gr-id="804">into</g> TimeLinx.

I would also discuss with Paul Ziliak. His app fills a particular set of needs, and well. You could readily understand if it makes sense to develop beyond it.

Whatever you do, it seems to me that you should put it all in web services to explicitly plan to connect to a <g class="gr_ gr_1043 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1043" data-gr-id="1043">couple</g> other ERPs too.


------------------------------
Jerry Norman
Smartbridge Partners
Austin TX
5124191444x112
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:57
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Field Services Prospects

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625

​Last year I did a business process review for a large plumbing contractor - new construction jobs and service. Part of the engagement was also identifying potential software options that were somewhat compatible with plumbing. What I found is some fantastic field service solutions, especially the mobile extensions. None of the ones mentioned that integrate with Sage 100 come close to what I saw could be accomplished. Is the limitation Sage 100 or the required development platform compatible with Sage 100? One service package that is still in the Sage family is the Sage 300 CRE field service software. The client really liked that one. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with Sage 100 ERP.

Some day/some year we are supposed to see Technician Dashboard 2.0 for the JobOps/Scanco Field Service & Dispatch. Until that is released, works and has all the features that are already out in the market, the solution generally is weak in terms of state of the art technology. Apparently Glendale-based ServiceTitan is the hot new cloud-based service package for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or garage door repair businesses. Maybe they should integrate that to Sage 100. (We'll tell them that it's "Sage 100cloud" to get them interested!)

------------------------------
John Hoyt
john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 18:41
From: Paul Ziliak
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There's a fellow 90minder who's invited us to a discovery for a large field service opportunity (this discovery is tomorrow, coincidentally). The other solution their client is considering is a sharp looking mobile solutions built specifically for the industry the client is in. But that solution has zero integration with Sage 100.

It was never our intention to have our Mobile Commerce solution morph toward field service, but in the past 6 months we've done 4 deals with Sage 100 customers who are coffee wholesalers. Each one of them, besides doing route sales and direct store delivery, also provides office coffee equipment loaner and service. The result is a ton of new functionality all fully integrated with Sage 100.

It will be interesting to see how the discovery goes tomorrow...

If we end up being fortunate enough to win this deal I would not be shocked to see the emergence of xkzero Mobile Commerce - Field Service Edition. I'll keep you posted.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 16:56
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There seem to be more ways to screw up an FS enhancement to Sage than there are to get it right. Just Google that and you get a number of things that you know are "meh."

We looked into this 5 years ago. MSI was pretty good for functionality in the space where I thought most Sage 100 customers would be. But their sync reputation sucked, so ... worth looking at those features.

If I were you, I'd try to have an in-depth discussion with Jeffrey Gregoric, He's now with TimeLinx, but he was first with <g class="gr_ gr_413 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="413" data-gr-id="413">Saleslogix</g>, then Blytheco, then briefly an FS company which joined 90 Minds just before its VC blew it up. TimeLinx is trying to go after FS in Sage 100 via its CRM foundation, but Jeff might talk with you about features anyway.

I talked with him for about an hour around the time he gave his FS company's presentation to 90 Minds. He is pretty convinced that FS is a "greenfield" business opportunity. That's one reason he then invested <g class="gr_ gr_804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="804" data-gr-id="804">into</g> TimeLinx.

I would also discuss with Paul Ziliak. His app fills a particular set of needs, and well. You could readily understand if it makes sense to develop beyond it.

Whatever you do, it seems to me that you should put it all in web services to explicitly plan to connect to a <g class="gr_ gr_1043 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1043" data-gr-id="1043">couple</g> other ERPs too.


------------------------------
Jerry Norman
Smartbridge Partners
Austin TX
5124191444x112


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:57
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Field Services Prospects

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625

I think the reason for this absence of field service is that Sage 100 is primarily a distribution package. There likely haven't been enough customers willing to pay money to add on field service.

Back in the day when Sage 100 has twice as many customers I used to have Job Cost and POS customers. Those largely went bye-bye as they found other specialized packages that serviced their niche much more closely than Sage 100.

Job Cost users would be lured away by estimating.
Point of Sale would be lured away by .... well just about anything.
All the small insurance agencies, CPA firms, vet hospitals, etc - they've largely migrated to QuickBooks type solutions as  Sage increased the cost of Sage 100 300%++ from when they bought.


The loyal customers remaining are distribution.
There will always be some overlap but in my view distribution is the niche that Sage 100 is going to ride into retirement. I don't see it materially expanding into any other niche.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 19:26
From: John Hoyt
Subject: Field Services Prospects

​Last year I did a business process review for a large plumbing contractor - new construction jobs and service. Part of the engagement was also identifying potential software options that were somewhat compatible with plumbing. What I found is some fantastic field service solutions, especially the mobile extensions. None of the ones mentioned that integrate with Sage 100 come close to what I saw could be accomplished. Is the limitation Sage 100 or the required development platform compatible with Sage 100? One service package that is still in the Sage family is the Sage 300 CRE field service software. The client really liked that one. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with Sage 100 ERP.

Some day/some year we are supposed to see Technician Dashboard 2.0 for the JobOps/Scanco Field Service & Dispatch. Until that is released, works and has all the features that are already out in the market, the solution generally is weak in terms of state of the art technology. Apparently Glendale-based ServiceTitan is the hot new cloud-based service package for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or garage door repair businesses. Maybe they should integrate that to Sage 100. (We'll tell them that it's "Sage 100cloud" to get them interested!)

------------------------------
John Hoyt
john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 18:41
From: Paul Ziliak
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There's a fellow 90minder who's invited us to a discovery for a large field service opportunity (this discovery is tomorrow, coincidentally). The other solution their client is considering is a sharp looking mobile solutions built specifically for the industry the client is in. But that solution has zero integration with Sage 100.

It was never our intention to have our Mobile Commerce solution morph toward field service, but in the past 6 months we've done 4 deals with Sage 100 customers who are coffee wholesalers. Each one of them, besides doing route sales and direct store delivery, also provides office coffee equipment loaner and service. The result is a ton of new functionality all fully integrated with Sage 100.

It will be interesting to see how the discovery goes tomorrow...

If we end up being fortunate enough to win this deal I would not be shocked to see the emergence of xkzero Mobile Commerce - Field Service Edition. I'll keep you posted.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 16:56
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There seem to be more ways to screw up an FS enhancement to Sage than there are to get it right. Just Google that and you get a number of things that you know are "meh."

We looked into this 5 years ago. MSI was pretty good for functionality in the space where I thought most Sage 100 customers would be. But their sync reputation sucked, so ... worth looking at those features.

If I were you, I'd try to have an in-depth discussion with Jeffrey Gregoric, He's now with TimeLinx, but he was first with <g class="gr_ gr_413 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="413" data-gr-id="413">Saleslogix</g>, then Blytheco, then briefly an FS company which joined 90 Minds just before its VC blew it up. TimeLinx is trying to go after FS in Sage 100 via its CRM foundation, but Jeff might talk with you about features anyway.

I talked with him for about an hour around the time he gave his FS company's presentation to 90 Minds. He is pretty convinced that FS is a "greenfield" business opportunity. That's one reason he then invested <g class="gr_ gr_804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="804" data-gr-id="804">into</g> TimeLinx.

I would also discuss with Paul Ziliak. His app fills a particular set of needs, and well. You could readily understand if it makes sense to develop beyond it.

Whatever you do, it seems to me that you should put it all in web services to explicitly plan to connect to a <g class="gr_ gr_1043 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1043" data-gr-id="1043">couple</g> other ERPs too.


------------------------------
Jerry Norman
Smartbridge Partners
Austin TX
5124191444x112


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:57
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Field Services Prospects

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625

I agree Wayne.  MAS90 has been around for 35 years with thousands of third party add-ons and there is one or two decent options for manufacturing.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Assistant Technical Support / Building Maintenance Specialist
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 21:10
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Field Services Prospects

I think the reason for this absence of field service is that Sage 100 is primarily a distribution package. There likely haven't been enough customers willing to pay money to add on field service.

Back in the day when Sage 100 has twice as many customers I used to have Job Cost and POS customers. Those largely went bye-bye as they found other specialized packages that serviced their niche much more closely than Sage 100.

Job Cost users would be lured away by estimating.
Point of Sale would be lured away by .... well just about anything.
All the small insurance agencies, CPA firms, vet hospitals, etc - they've largely migrated to QuickBooks type solutions as  Sage increased the cost of Sage 100 300%++ from when they bought.


The loyal customers remaining are distribution.
There will always be some overlap but in my view distribution is the niche that Sage 100 is going to ride into retirement. I don't see it materially expanding into any other niche.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 19:26
From: John Hoyt
Subject: Field Services Prospects

​Last year I did a business process review for a large plumbing contractor - new construction jobs and service. Part of the engagement was also identifying potential software options that were somewhat compatible with plumbing. What I found is some fantastic field service solutions, especially the mobile extensions. None of the ones mentioned that integrate with Sage 100 come close to what I saw could be accomplished. Is the limitation Sage 100 or the required development platform compatible with Sage 100? One service package that is still in the Sage family is the Sage 300 CRE field service software. The client really liked that one. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with Sage 100 ERP.

Some day/some year we are supposed to see Technician Dashboard 2.0 for the JobOps/Scanco Field Service & Dispatch. Until that is released, works and has all the features that are already out in the market, the solution generally is weak in terms of state of the art technology. Apparently Glendale-based ServiceTitan is the hot new cloud-based service package for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or garage door repair businesses. Maybe they should integrate that to Sage 100. (We'll tell them that it's "Sage 100cloud" to get them interested!)

------------------------------
John Hoyt
john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 18:41
From: Paul Ziliak
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There's a fellow 90minder who's invited us to a discovery for a large field service opportunity (this discovery is tomorrow, coincidentally). The other solution their client is considering is a sharp looking mobile solutions built specifically for the industry the client is in. But that solution has zero integration with Sage 100.

It was never our intention to have our Mobile Commerce solution morph toward field service, but in the past 6 months we've done 4 deals with Sage 100 customers who are coffee wholesalers. Each one of them, besides doing route sales and direct store delivery, also provides office coffee equipment loaner and service. The result is a ton of new functionality all fully integrated with Sage 100.

It will be interesting to see how the discovery goes tomorrow...

If we end up being fortunate enough to win this deal I would not be shocked to see the emergence of xkzero Mobile Commerce - Field Service Edition. I'll keep you posted.

------------------------------
Paul Ziliak
xkzero


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 16:56
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Field Services Prospects

There seem to be more ways to screw up an FS enhancement to Sage than there are to get it right. Just Google that and you get a number of things that you know are "meh."

We looked into this 5 years ago. MSI was pretty good for functionality in the space where I thought most Sage 100 customers would be. But their sync reputation sucked, so ... worth looking at those features.

If I were you, I'd try to have an in-depth discussion with Jeffrey Gregoric, He's now with TimeLinx, but he was first with <g class="gr_ gr_413 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="413" data-gr-id="413">Saleslogix</g>, then Blytheco, then briefly an FS company which joined 90 Minds just before its VC blew it up. TimeLinx is trying to go after FS in Sage 100 via its CRM foundation, but Jeff might talk with you about features anyway.

I talked with him for about an hour around the time he gave his FS company's presentation to 90 Minds. He is pretty convinced that FS is a "greenfield" business opportunity. That's one reason he then invested <g class="gr_ gr_804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="804" data-gr-id="804">into</g> TimeLinx.

I would also discuss with Paul Ziliak. His app fills a particular set of needs, and well. You could readily understand if it makes sense to develop beyond it.

Whatever you do, it seems to me that you should put it all in web services to explicitly plan to connect to a <g class="gr_ gr_1043 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1043" data-gr-id="1043">couple</g> other ERPs too.


------------------------------
Jerry Norman
Smartbridge Partners
Austin TX
5124191444x112


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2019 13:57
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Field Services Prospects

My current clients who would want to be able to enter time remotely are all using Job Cost (and TimeTracker).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, and Cagney
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625

@Nicole Ronchetti I know this is a super old thread, but we would appreciate a DSD version of Automated Service. We have a few clients using Ascent but it doesn't work for Premium, it isn't in the business framework, everything is a custom mod & expensive, which then makes every upgrade ridiculously expensive, & its just aging. It does a lot but its painful to navigate & work with. The tables don't all come into Sage Alerts with the KLF, making it run really slow, & with tons of data, so it locks up or bogs down the queue. I wish there was a better solution.

------------------------------
Dana Young
Lehman Wesley & Associates
Lansing MI
------------------------------