Sage 100

Received this today from a customer:
"A friend of mine has MAS 200 installed and is on version 2008. They manufacture the same product as us.  Could I merge them into my Sage system?"

It doesn't pass the smell test with me.  Before I respond to the email I would like the 90 Minds group thoughts on this situation.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------

I assume you know what version your customer is running.  I'd ask for a screen shot of the "friend's" Help - About... screen (to see what MAS 200 v2008 means).

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
------------------------------

What's your concern? 

1. Is this a license violation? Not, IMO, if it stays on the same computer/server. It would be a violation to use their disks and keys and install to a new server to be used simultaneously.

2. Is it technically possible to merge/consolidate data - yes. There's a utility that DSD offers ( originally from ASI ). Be sure to read the manual closely because you do have to pay attention to some advanced preparation.

https://development.dsdinc.com/enhancement/lmcc-company-consolidation/

The LMCC Company Consolidation Enhancement allows users to combine data tables for multiple companies into one consolidated company to allow for consolidated reporting or to create a new operating company (for processing live transactions). Data tables from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Common Information, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Cost, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Service Center modules are included in the consolidation. Source company data remains intact allowing users ultimate flexibility for testing and correcting any data irregularities within the source companies before a final consolidation. Testing and verification of the consolidated data is highly recommended and critical for success.

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

My concern is staying within the terms of the EULA and also not being a scumbag and poaching another Sage partner's customer just so they can avoid getting on a current subscription plan.

They wouldn't merge the data. Reading between the lines, my understanding is the friends company would be a separate company code and the friend's employees would use remote desktop to access Sage 100.  It seems like maybe the friend checked into the cost of getting current and thought he could save by sharing one system.  Not sure if that logic makes sense because you are paying by user license.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 11:41
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Licensing Question

What's your concern?

1. Is this a license violation? Not, IMO, if it stays on the same computer/server. It would be a violation to use their disks and keys and install to a new server to be used simultaneously.

2. Is it technically possible to merge/consolidate data - yes. There's a utility that DSD offers ( originally from ASI ). Be sure to read the manual closely because you do have to pay attention to some advanced preparation.

https://development.dsdinc.com/enhancement/lmcc-company-consolidation/

The LMCC Company Consolidation Enhancement allows users to combine data tables for multiple companies into one consolidated company to allow for consolidated reporting or to create a new operating company (for processing live transactions). Data tables from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Common Information, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Cost, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Service Center modules are included in the consolidation. Source company data remains intact allowing users ultimate flexibility for testing and correcting any data irregularities within the source companies before a final consolidation. Testing and verification of the consolidated data is highly recommended and critical for success.

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

I wouldn't do it -- too much room for either your customer or the friend to tell Sage that you recommended it and that it would be ok. 

I don't know whether Sage's EULA would allow this or not. Too much of a hassle to be involved in this type of dispute.

.02

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

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 12:09
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Licensing Question

My concern is staying within the terms of the EULA and also not being a scumbag and poaching another Sage partner's customer just so they can avoid getting on a current subscription plan.

They wouldn't merge the data. Reading between the lines, my understanding is the friends company would be a separate company code and the friend's employees would use remote desktop to access Sage 100.  It seems like maybe the friend checked into the cost of getting current and thought he could save by sharing one system.  Not sure if that logic makes sense because you are paying by user license.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 11:41
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Licensing Question

What's your concern?

1. Is this a license violation? Not, IMO, if it stays on the same computer/server. It would be a violation to use their disks and keys and install to a new server to be used simultaneously.

2. Is it technically possible to merge/consolidate data - yes. There's a utility that DSD offers ( originally from ASI ). Be sure to read the manual closely because you do have to pay attention to some advanced preparation.

https://development.dsdinc.com/enhancement/lmcc-company-consolidation/

The LMCC Company Consolidation Enhancement allows users to combine data tables for multiple companies into one consolidated company to allow for consolidated reporting or to create a new operating company (for processing live transactions). Data tables from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Common Information, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Cost, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Service Center modules are included in the consolidation. Source company data remains intact allowing users ultimate flexibility for testing and correcting any data irregularities within the source companies before a final consolidation. Testing and verification of the consolidated data is highly recommended and critical for success.

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

If they are not related companies, and the host company is not in the business of selling accounting services, I think that would violate the EULA.


------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 12:09
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Licensing Question

My concern is staying within the terms of the EULA and also not being a scumbag and poaching another Sage partner's customer just so they can avoid getting on a current subscription plan.

They wouldn't merge the data. Reading between the lines, my understanding is the friends company would be a separate company code and the friend's employees would use remote desktop to access Sage 100.  It seems like maybe the friend checked into the cost of getting current and thought he could save by sharing one system.  Not sure if that logic makes sense because you are paying by user license.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 11:41
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Licensing Question

What's your concern?

1. Is this a license violation? Not, IMO, if it stays on the same computer/server. It would be a violation to use their disks and keys and install to a new server to be used simultaneously.

2. Is it technically possible to merge/consolidate data - yes. There's a utility that DSD offers ( originally from ASI ). Be sure to read the manual closely because you do have to pay attention to some advanced preparation.

https://development.dsdinc.com/enhancement/lmcc-company-consolidation/

The LMCC Company Consolidation Enhancement allows users to combine data tables for multiple companies into one consolidated company to allow for consolidated reporting or to create a new operating company (for processing live transactions). Data tables from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Common Information, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Cost, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Service Center modules are included in the consolidation. Source company data remains intact allowing users ultimate flexibility for testing and correcting any data irregularities within the source companies before a final consolidation. Testing and verification of the consolidated data is highly recommended and critical for success.

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

Thanks guys.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 12:21
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: Licensing Question

If they are not related companies, and the host company is not in the business of selling accounting services, I think that would violate the EULA.

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 12:09
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Licensing Question

My concern is staying within the terms of the EULA and also not being a scumbag and poaching another Sage partner's customer just so they can avoid getting on a current subscription plan.

They wouldn't merge the data. Reading between the lines, my understanding is the friends company would be a separate company code and the friend's employees would use remote desktop to access Sage 100.  It seems like maybe the friend checked into the cost of getting current and thought he could save by sharing one system.  Not sure if that logic makes sense because you are paying by user license.

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary


Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2020 11:41
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Licensing Question

What's your concern?

1. Is this a license violation? Not, IMO, if it stays on the same computer/server. It would be a violation to use their disks and keys and install to a new server to be used simultaneously.

2. Is it technically possible to merge/consolidate data - yes. There's a utility that DSD offers ( originally from ASI ). Be sure to read the manual closely because you do have to pay attention to some advanced preparation.

https://development.dsdinc.com/enhancement/lmcc-company-consolidation/

The LMCC Company Consolidation Enhancement allows users to combine data tables for multiple companies into one consolidated company to allow for consolidated reporting or to create a new operating company (for processing live transactions). Data tables from Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Common Information, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Cost, Purchase Order, Sales Order and Service Center modules are included in the consolidation. Source company data remains intact allowing users ultimate flexibility for testing and correcting any data irregularities within the source companies before a final consolidation. Testing and verification of the consolidated data is highly recommended and critical for success.

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