Sage 100

I apologize if this was discussed before, I couldn't find anything. Basically, I want to copy a customers data files (2018 with Payroll) to my computer. I copy the whole MAS_111 folder over. When I try to go into Payroll it says ""the Encryption key is invalid. See your System administrator"". I looked on the Sage KB and it says you have to also copy the MAS_System files. Won't that mess up my Sage setup? Do I have to keep switching MAS_System between the customer copy and my copy. ? TIA

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRcUFvbcWCw

For 2018, you have to copy the entire MAS90 folder in order to access the data. So, ""yes"" you have to keep switching MAS_System between the customer copy and yours.

I'm curious as to how we will deal with this for taking client's data monthly to do the financials and/or quarterly for payroll taxes? Separate installation?

RDP access?

I do that now however it holds up a license while I'm in it. It's easier for me to take the data, do my monkey business, export my entries and import on theirs when I'm done. This is going to be a big issue for year end as well.

For the payroll data, it's going to require some system files. Maybe the separate installation is the answer.

My .02 - I don't take responsibility for any tax ID info on my computer - the only way I do this is to login remotely. Don't open yourself up for a possible breach or if the customer suffers a breach and doesn't know where it came from they blame you. Yes, this is going to be less convenient and more expensive. I advise you not take on additional liability. Even if you think you have an awesome relationship with the customer and they would never sue you over a breach that doesn't mean their insurance company wouldn't.

I agree with Wayne on his statement. If you want to run their system and can't get a remote connection going, can you grab their whole MAS90 folder, paste onto your system and then use ""MAS90"" mode (run ""startup.m4p) to run their application on your workstation?

Back in the day, things were so much easier. DOS 6.0, Lotus and Word Perfect. I was on top of the world printing to my dot matrix printer. Life only sucked when you were on your 39th install disk and you got a read error that shut you down until you got a replacement disk shipped. I used to do YE PR for about 12 companies. I would pull their data on 12/31 and get w-2's done. No tinkering with 12 different printers to tweak the w-2 alignment. Send the paper forms to client and file the SSA data via magnetic media by 3/31. Life was good until one client called about receiving an IRS letter stating that the W-2's had not been filed. *** **W**ednesday, **T**hursday, **F**riday!. I checked and sure enough, I forgot to file them. Late filing penalty was only $6,000. Two years later, $700 out of my own pocket to pay a former IRS agent to get the client (and me) out of hot water, the IRS finally called off their attack dog! As of that moment (receipt of IRS letter), I closed my doors for taking on the responsibility of W-2 processing. We use Aatrix for everything. Is it more expensive? Not $6,000 more expensive! Lesson learned is that the client HAS to take the responsibility that you took on. Purchasing an extra user license is relatively cheap compared to the alternative. if they don't want to add a license, you could buy it for them and add it to your invoice so you can do things via RDP. You could also use RDP and make a copy of the MAS90 folder on the CLENT'S server and continue to do what you do. In any event, there is a cost of doing business and it shouldn't be on your shoulders...

I agree with Wayne and Jeff. I actually do have a remote connection and they have plenty of licenses. This was all about the convenience of working locally and my old tired eyes that can't see anything on the tiny Logmein screens :). IT doesn't allow RDP. Great advice everyone. Thank you.

@KennyDaniel Try ConnectWise. You can get 3 remote unattended licenses for free. After you use it for a couple of weeks you will shell out $240 for 10 remote licenses, screen sharing, file transfer. It is much easier and less expensive than LogMeIn.

Thank you @DougHiggs. In this case I have to use LogMeIn. It's actually their own account and provided by their IT. It's the only way they will allow any type of remote access.

@JeffSchwenk you literally made me LOL! I remember the days of hauling boxes of disks to the client's offices and plugging in one after the other after the other after the other! Yes it's definitely easier to do the year end work on my time schedule and not when it's available to log on. My clients have counted on me for many years to prepare their year end payroll taxes and W-2's and I'm sure I'm not the only one. When they announced this issue with the payroll, I knew it was going to cause problems, not only with the licensing but with the requirements to have to run the payroll tax calculations with an internet connection. I'm in northern Michigan and not everyone has a stable connection so I'm not sure what we are going to do with the clients who are in those areas. Hopefully their internet provider will be able to come up with something before they are forced to go to 2018!

@KennyDaniel I have that same issue with a few of mine as well even though I own many LogMeIn licenses. The client's IT commands the connection and permissions and I don't always have the ability to even print with some!

@KathyPurkiss In retrospect, it was pitifully funny. But when the client got the initial settlement for $6K, I could only think ""Wish I had listened to @WayneSchulz!"" Where was I going to get 6K to buy off the IRS. The IRS took months between letters only to send a form letter saying NO deal. Luckily, my client bought into my escape plan and it ""only"" took $700 and a LOT of patience!