Sage 100

I have a Sage 100 prospect that is asking for a demo.  They do printing, graphics, direct mail, digital marketing, kit creation for national marketing, offset printing and binding.  Does anyone in this group have a similar customer?  If so, what modules do they use?  Specifically, how do they do estimating / quoting?  Do they use Sage 100 Job Cost or is there something else?  Is there anything unusual or special about this industry you can share?

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

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5
------------------------------

Oh well.  I was hoping to be able to tout all of the newly released features in Sage 100 Job Cost as a solution.  .....Wait a second.....

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:02
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5
------------------------------

Doug, Phil is correct - there are already some more than adequate printing industry solutions. One thing to recognize is that it is operationally closer to a process MTO business than to discrete mfg. 

However, this does not mean that these industry solutions have a robust accounting back end. AR is a big deal because they work on deposits for nearly all jobs, and they can entail frequent re-dos or add-ons to jobs. A bi-directional integration with the front-end/job management piece could be quite valuable; most of these operations do not have sophisticated financial personnel. Perhaps interviewing their CPA could help. 

I view opportunities like this positively for Sage 100. Too many industry solutions have weak financial backends because they make their sales by demonstrating the cool front-end stuff that solves lots of their buyers' headaches. This one would also need to include PO management of some sort; leave the *job* profitability stuff in the front-end. This ends up looking a lot like using a service- or project-management tool such as TimeLinx, where the details are in the front end, and Sage handles PO-AP, Receivables, and payroll.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:07
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Oh well.  I was hoping to be able to tout all of the newly released features in Sage 100 Job Cost as a solution.  .....Wait a second.....

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:02
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5

Thanks for your input @Jerry Norman .  I mostly agree with you.  This company has a lot of one-off, custom discrete jobs as well as repeating orders /  process jobs. because of the variety of processes, configuring the right system is going to be challenging.  I do believe the job management piece should most likely be a vertical solution. 

I have known the CFO of this prospect for 20 years or so and have worked with him when he was at another company.  He is a CPA / MBA and I have spent some time meeting with him getting to know this business. I am currently exploring all options.  The current "home grown", three disparate database system they have now is very weak in GL / financial reporting, PO, and inventory / WIP perpetual accounting.  The CFO has a high priority on quoting and estimating, job reporting, inventory and process control, and financial reporting. 

I'd like to know who the players are in the job management market, and a home run would be if there is an API or existing integration to Sage 100.  I'm going to research TimeLinx.  If anyone else has a suggestion, please don't be shy! 
​

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:58
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Doug, Phil is correct - there are already some more than adequate printing industry solutions. One thing to recognize is that it is operationally closer to a process MTO business than to discrete mfg.

However, this does not mean that these industry solutions have a robust accounting back end. AR is a big deal because they work on deposits for nearly all jobs, and they can entail frequent re-dos or add-ons to jobs. A bi-directional integration with the front-end/job management piece could be quite valuable; most of these operations do not have sophisticated financial personnel. Perhaps interviewing their CPA could help.

I view opportunities like this positively for Sage 100. Too many industry solutions have weak financial backends because they make their sales by demonstrating the cool front-end stuff that solves lots of their buyers' headaches. This one would also need to include PO management of some sort; leave the *job* profitability stuff in the front-end. This ends up looking a lot like using a service- or project-management tool such as TimeLinx, where the details are in the front end, and Sage handles PO-AP, Receivables, and payroll.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:07
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Oh well.  I was hoping to be able to tout all of the newly released features in Sage 100 Job Cost as a solution.  .....Wait a second.....

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:02
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5

Doug, are doing this exploration under a paid project? The expertise you bring to the CFO has little to do with your level of knowledge in the printing industry. He already trusts your judgment.

If I were doing this, the project's deliverable would be a detailed Feasibility Analysis about why the company needs to change and the business impacts for both changing and not changing. It would include key criteria that the new solution would need to include, and those that optional. The follow-on project would be to do the industry research to find 3 suitable candidates for further consideration and also walking the CFO through the presentations and analysis of those options.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 12:26
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Thanks for your input @Jerry Norman .  I mostly agree with you.  This company has a lot of one-off, custom discrete jobs as well as repeating orders /  process jobs. because of the variety of processes, configuring the right system is going to be challenging.  I do believe the job management piece should most likely be a vertical solution.

I have known the CFO of this prospect for 20 years or so and have worked with him when he was at another company.  He is a CPA / MBA and I have spent some time meeting with him getting to know this business. I am currently exploring all options.  The current "home grown", three disparate database system they have now is very weak in GL / financial reporting, PO, and inventory / WIP perpetual accounting.  The CFO has a high priority on quoting and estimating, job reporting, inventory and process control, and financial reporting.

I'd like to know who the players are in the job management market, and a home run would be if there is an API or existing integration to Sage 100.  I'm going to research TimeLinx.  If anyone else has a suggestion, please don't be shy!
​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:58
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Doug, Phil is correct - there are already some more than adequate printing industry solutions. One thing to recognize is that it is operationally closer to a process MTO business than to discrete mfg.

However, this does not mean that these industry solutions have a robust accounting back end. AR is a big deal because they work on deposits for nearly all jobs, and they can entail frequent re-dos or add-ons to jobs. A bi-directional integration with the front-end/job management piece could be quite valuable; most of these operations do not have sophisticated financial personnel. Perhaps interviewing their CPA could help.

I view opportunities like this positively for Sage 100. Too many industry solutions have weak financial backends because they make their sales by demonstrating the cool front-end stuff that solves lots of their buyers' headaches. This one would also need to include PO management of some sort; leave the *job* profitability stuff in the front-end. This ends up looking a lot like using a service- or project-management tool such as TimeLinx, where the details are in the front end, and Sage handles PO-AP, Receivables, and payroll.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:07
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Oh well.  I was hoping to be able to tout all of the newly released features in Sage 100 Job Cost as a solution.  .....Wait a second.....

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:02
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5

@Jerry Norman  It hasn't been a paid engagement yet, but it is about to become one.  Thanks for the reminder that I'm not  running a charity.​

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 13:46
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Doug, are doing this exploration under a paid project? The expertise you bring to the CFO has little to do with your level of knowledge in the printing industry. He already trusts your judgment.

If I were doing this, the project's deliverable would be a detailed Feasibility Analysis about why the company needs to change and the business impacts for both changing and not changing. It would include key criteria that the new solution would need to include, and those that optional. The follow-on project would be to do the industry research to find 3 suitable candidates for further consideration and also walking the CFO through the presentations and analysis of those options.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 12:26
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Thanks for your input @Jerry Norman .  I mostly agree with you.  This company has a lot of one-off, custom discrete jobs as well as repeating orders /  process jobs. because of the variety of processes, configuring the right system is going to be challenging.  I do believe the job management piece should most likely be a vertical solution.

I have known the CFO of this prospect for 20 years or so and have worked with him when he was at another company.  He is a CPA / MBA and I have spent some time meeting with him getting to know this business. I am currently exploring all options.  The current "home grown", three disparate database system they have now is very weak in GL / financial reporting, PO, and inventory / WIP perpetual accounting.  The CFO has a high priority on quoting and estimating, job reporting, inventory and process control, and financial reporting.

I'd like to know who the players are in the job management market, and a home run would be if there is an API or existing integration to Sage 100.  I'm going to research TimeLinx.  If anyone else has a suggestion, please don't be shy!
​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:58
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Doug, Phil is correct - there are already some more than adequate printing industry solutions. One thing to recognize is that it is operationally closer to a process MTO business than to discrete mfg.

However, this does not mean that these industry solutions have a robust accounting back end. AR is a big deal because they work on deposits for nearly all jobs, and they can entail frequent re-dos or add-ons to jobs. A bi-directional integration with the front-end/job management piece could be quite valuable; most of these operations do not have sophisticated financial personnel. Perhaps interviewing their CPA could help.

I view opportunities like this positively for Sage 100. Too many industry solutions have weak financial backends because they make their sales by demonstrating the cool front-end stuff that solves lots of their buyers' headaches. This one would also need to include PO management of some sort; leave the *job* profitability stuff in the front-end. This ends up looking a lot like using a service- or project-management tool such as TimeLinx, where the details are in the front end, and Sage handles PO-AP, Receivables, and payroll.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:07
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Oh well.  I was hoping to be able to tout all of the newly released features in Sage 100 Job Cost as a solution.  .....Wait a second.....

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 11:02
From: Phil McIntosh
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

The ones in that industry I have dealt with use industry-specific software for quoting and production and just use GL/AP/AR in Sage 100.

------------------------------
Phil McIntosh
President
Friendly Systems, Inc.
Asheville NC
678.273.4010 ext 5

I believe if I can’t tell stories of three companies just like the one I’m considering proposing to that I’m unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I’ve done all of these. More times than I’d like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can’t recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

“Our sales pipelines are fuller than they’ve ever been”

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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



Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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




Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

Don’t confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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



Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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




Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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




Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

I used MapQuest and had to ditch my manual shift car because I was doing so much driving from site to site and couldn't shift and eat at the same time!

I'd burn CD after CD and carry them around in a big looseleaf CD holder because almost no customer could ever locate their CD and the Internet was not fast enough ( not even sure Sage offered downloads ) to DL an entire CD onto someone's computer. Then when thumb drives became affordable - oh my life could not get much better for the consultant on the go....


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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 10:49
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

LOL. You were progressive!  I was still hoping the 5 1/4" drive would read my floppy disk.  You just can't make this stuff up.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 10:58
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I used MapQuest and had to ditch my manual shift car because I was doing so much driving from site to site and couldn't shift and eat at the same time!

I'd burn CD after CD and carry them around in a big looseleaf CD holder because almost no customer could ever locate their CD and the Internet was not fast enough ( not even sure Sage offered downloads ) to DL an entire CD onto someone's computer. Then when thumb drives became affordable - oh my life could not get much better for the consultant on the go....


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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 10:49
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

Still touchy about the Unix version - I still have a copy of my email to David Hanna pleading for its continued existence...

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Tennessee Software Solutions
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 10:49
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

@Beth Bowers. It was fast and stable.  Loved it.​

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 11:31
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Still touchy about the Unix version - I still have a copy of my email to David Hanna pleading for its continued existence...

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Tennessee Software Solutions
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 10:49
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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

Original Message:
Sent: 4/30/2021 10:49:00 AM
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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




Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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

Thomas Guides and Mapquest were a luxury. In my day we used a topographical map and a compass.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 14:18
From: Sue Bennett
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You had MapQuest?  We used to use Thomas Guides before Internet became a reality!

 

Sue Bennett | President

Bennett/Porter & Associates, Inc.

P. 503 620 3484 | F. 503 620 2765

12559 SW 69th Ave | Portland, OR  97223

Email address | www.benpor.com

Bennett/Porter Blog | facebook | twitter

 

The information in this email and any attachments is considered confidential. This information may be subject to legal, professional, or other privilege. It must not be disclosed to any person without our authority. If you are not the intended recipient you are not authorized to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. Please return this message to the sender immediately and delete any and all copies from your system.

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 4/30/2021 10:49:00 AM
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

You used Mapquest?  In 1990 I was plotting my route on one of the maps I kept in the glove compartment of my car, and installing MAS90 on Altos UNIX and SCO XENIX computers.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:56
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

Don't confuse 2021 with 1990

1990

- nobody researched ERP on the net
- nearly everyone used local consultants ( no way to find anyone else except call publisher )
- we printed mapquest, drove from site to site doing break fix ( remote had not become widely used )
- virtually all niche software had terrible G/L
- materially more people were outgrowing their old systems
- few people had significant experience with ERP selection or implementations ( or their pitfalls )
- big 50% ( or more ) margin on software sold



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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

@Wayne Schulz  In all seriousness, I know you have been successful in business and I appreciate the knowledge you share with me and this group.  I agree with a lot of your ​philosophy.

Almost 100% of the new business leads I get are referrals form either a current customer or a CPA.  I don't recall ever getting a call from someone that visited my web site.  I don;t have a newsletter or do any marketing.

I enjoy learning about industries I may not have a lot, or any, experience with.  Of course, that strategy doesn't necessarily make me money, but that's OK with me.  I consider it education expense.

I worked for Information Science Associates (ISA) as a MAS90 consultant from 1989 - 1992,  At the time ISA and Hightower were the only master developers in Chicago.  A friend of mine bought a $1M distribution company in 1992 and gave me a desk in his warehouse to start my own MAS90 consulting company.  This was my first customer.  If I relied on only considering companies that were in an industry I had worked three times with I would have been standing in line at the soup kitchen.

It's always great to learn how others approach business.  There are many ways to be successful.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021 08:03
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Our sales pipelines are fuller than they've ever been"

- The last quotes typically attributed to outgoing EVP Sales at Sage NA

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2021
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: RE: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

"Would I walk off with a check? Almost never."

So you're telling me there's a chance!
@Wayne Schulz

​

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


Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2021 22:05
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: Sage 100 for Printing / Graphics

I believe if I can't tell stories of three companies just like the one I'm considering proposing to that I'm unlikely to win the deal.

Would I be able to do a free demo and free research. Have free discovery meetings and free conference calls?

You betcha.

Spoiler: I've done all of these. More times than I'd like to remember.

Would I walk off with a check?

Almost never.

I feel like printing companies have come up once or twice here and I can't recall anyone who had a winning solution.



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