Sage 100

I have some questions about Sage 100 ERP Online version. Do you have any clients using it and are they happy with it? Is third-party integration possible and, if yes, which third-parties have you used with the online version? Do you know how the hosting works? Does it work with just a web browser or does it need a client install? Is the Custom Office functionality limited with the online version? UDFs, UDTs, User-Defined Scripting possible? I'm just trying to get an idea of how feasible this platform is.

Good timing. I have a current client asking about moving to it and I want to know all of these things, too!

You might check with @GaryFeldman and crew as they should be well versed with the differences. It is my understanding that 3rd party apps are NOT supported. They seem to have positioned it at the entry level for installs looking for a low cost of entry, but like many things Sage, don't have a plan for when the user outgrows the entry level.

I specifically want to know what Sage does about upgrades - like did they throw out 2013 the second it was released?

My understanding from attending a ""certification"" type presentation two years ago - cannot use Crystal, Custom Office and upgrades must be done by partner. And I shouldn't say you can't use Crystal - I think you can't have it loaded on the Sage server but you could upload the RPT and attach it as a custom report. There's a boatload of gotchas so definitely talk to Gary as he is very well versed.

William - Sage 100 ERP online is a Citrix / Terminal Server Solution. We were in the running to be the endorsed solution back in the Nina Smith days and then she was gone and Sage decided to become a hosting company. It is currently hosted at Quality Technology Services in the Metro Atlanta facility (which is our backup location, QTS Suwanee across the street from Sage in Atlanta is our primary). Because of the limitations imposed by Sage (no integrations, no third party applications, no paperless office, no Crystal Designer, no scripting ...) 80% of customers are 5 users or less and 80% of those were 3 or less at last count. We put a 1 user system there as we can't make money at $159 for a 1 user system. Because it is Citrix based you can either login through the web portal that both Sage and I-BN uses or you can use a Citrix Receiver on any device with our solution. We both used published applications so it looks like Sage 100 is running on your local machine, but we provide much more access than Sage for resellers. We have probably 30-40 different third party applications integrated with Sage 100 in our data center. It is surprising all of the restrictions since each customer is placed on a dedicated virtual server. Upgrades are done upon request to my knowledge but will be required as versions are released. I believe migration is done from one server to another within a specified window as opposed to in place. With Sage, if any development (like Crystal) is required, the customer or partner must download the database to your local machine make the changes and upload. If paths are different, you must trial and error in this manner. At I-BN we also provide free development servers for 30 days to facilitate upgrades, but we have everything from version 3.41 to 2013 in our data center (please kill me, or those customers who force us to keep Windows 2003 server running). Since we can support most anything, lots of custom work is done in the environment as part of the upgrade or whenever. Ben Glazer is the primary contact for Sage partners in our office and can be reached at 678-627-0646 x223 or bglazer@i-bn.net. I can also answer any questions you may have.

We must of hit Answer almost simultaneously.

Can this be polished to remove personally identifiable info and posted on 90 Minds blog?

This is the prospect guide we came out with a while back. Like most things with Sage only small changes since then (like the name).

This is all public domain information.

Thanks Gary - this is a great guide. Can we post it or do you restrict distribution to those who ask? Also your % numbers are exactly in line with what Sage indicated they were doing with their existing Accpac Online (very small user counts - typically 3 or less). When Sage introduced this they indicated it would be the same small user count for Sage 100 ERP. Would you mind if I massaged your text reply above and then pointed people to your email for a PDF copy of this guide?

We initially restricted it, and need to update for new names. Fell free to use and we will update some time after Summit.

Thanks for all of the feedback.