General Consultant Discussion

I'm curious about an alternative for a Sage 100 customer balking at renewing Silver after being off for 18 months. What is a ballpark pupm price for Netsuite in a distribution use? For an operation with 7 users, what is ballpark implementation price to switch?

Yesterday, I too had a SAGE 100 distribution customer ask about the price to switch to another package. They do not like paying for Silver and it's required support component. They are not interested in getting support from someone on the phone who has never been to their office or know how they use the system.

I'd like to see the answer to this question, but I'm betting its way more than getting current and staying current when looked at over 3-5 years.

I have done only preliminary estimates. But I'm coming to the conclusion switching to any other system with the inventory sophistication of 100 will result in roughly the same or higher annual costs. They like support with us, and we now have annual agreements to make this easier. but these guys need a couple more seats, an upgrade to 2013 for the SPS card swipe, etc. They are expanding to field service. So they really can't just drop Silver permanently, and they'd need similar updates if they were on another package. So I'm going to see if we can make progress by painting a different picture: the $$ rev/profit they intend to make with the expansions, and compare alternative costs to support them. So, I'd like something like Netsuite as an alternative to use.

Mark, that's my point: Unless you want to stand still with your system, you have to choice but to spend a distasteful amount of $$ on whatever system you use. So, you'd best figure out how to make the most of it. The alternative - limited growth - is even more expensive.

I think of it this way. Even though they've purchased the software (or a license to use the software) Sage really has then on a perpetual license - very similar to how they'd pay Netsuite. It's just the shifting sands or ERP and the way that software providers are forced to shift in order to make money. I ask my customers one question --- ""what would happen if Sage 100 were down for a week? Month? 6 Months? Anything unique in your use that prevents you from moving quickly to another system"". In many cases the customer soon remembers the features that are key to their business. It's just not a sexy purchase for them and Sage is focussing on releasing integrations which will ultimately have the effect of further marrying them to the Sage ecosystem. TL;DR: Everything in ERP (On and Off Premises) is expensive unless you can drop back to QuickBooks or Sage One/Sage 50.

Yep. I use it, too - although ""what would you do if it were down for a week?"" is a good one. Giving a realistic reality check on other alternatives helps with getting them past the justifiably emotional initial resistance.

Shameless plug... ""What would you do if you were down for a week"" http://www.eversafe-backup.com

Agree with points made by Jerry and Wayne. If a client is working Sage 100 and Sage 100 meets their needs, likely they are saving a minimum of one salary and so far maintenance is a small portion of a salary.

If things continue get worse with Sage and we come to the point that the cost of switching to another software is less than the cost of keeping our clients on Sage it would be good if we collectively found a package(s) that has the features our clients have come to rely on. Coming up with efficient training and migration strategies/ procedures would be very valuable.