I think this survey can be quite useful to Sage Development, for the very reasons that some complained about.
1. It is an independent feedback source. Unfiltered. Now moderation from Sage on ideas site -- or marketing folks seeking "consistent messaging." Sage Dev knows that 90 Minds is a small group and that surveys have modest responses. So, 25% of 200 is only 50 responses. They know they won't get statistically valid results -- they are looking for something else. Hence the open-ended questions; the responses can be quite long, although SurveyMonkey disguises it...
2. The Ideas site is almost completely aimed at current users. (If you've never been to it, it is really, really easy to find on Google.) This survey is explicitly looking for weaknesses that get in the way of prospects becoming customers. They don't get that on the Ideas site. 90 Minds is a great place for that feedback because of our wide exposure. Sure, Product Management should be doing that, but ... this is Sage NA.
3. If somebody doesn't know what a feature is, then clearly you have no opinion on its value. They are looking for feeback based on actual prospect/customer feedback.
I hope we get more opportunities to help them understand their options forward. And, sure, Sage has a long history of essentially ignoring significant feedback. We have no idea how well these will be received, either. Answering this short survey is a gamble with your time. If you don't like the odds, then don't do it. But I don't see the point in spending more time trying to discourage others from their own gambles.
My $.02.
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Jerry Norman
President, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2019 08:57
From: Robert Wood
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
@Kevin Moyes I think that would fit in one of the fields for existing/new customer recommendations.
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Robert Wood
Consultant
90 Minds
Ocala FL
352-615-5898
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2019 08:41
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
There is no place for substantive feedback, and if there was my comment about the dashboard concept:
Creating a platform independent Sage 100 client interface (not needing workstation install) would be a huge foundational improvement, especially if it worked seamlessly over WAN links.
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Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2019 22:54
From: Robert Wood
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
@John Hoyt and @Jeff Schwenk answer the survey or don't answer the survey. We are working with various different levels of the Sage 100 product development trying to get improvements made. Maybe they won't succeed in getting any of them done. Maybe the will. We won't know unless we try.
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Robert Wood
Consultant
90 Minds
Ocala FL
352-615-5898
Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2019 21:44
From: John Hoyt
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
If the survey questions were created by the Sage Development team, they should have sent them first to Timothy Harfield, since he is over the marketing of Sage 100, and he is the most equipped to state these questions clearly. That is part of his job.
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John Hoyt
Forming Solutions: john.hoyt@formingsolutions.com
Next Level Manufacturing Consulting Group: johnh@nextlevelMCG.com
Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2019 21:27
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
I am confused as well. What is a top three idea? Is it any idea that is ALREADY on the Idea web site? And what is the difference between a quick win and an enhancement? The length of time and effort required to get ANY improvements is VERY long!!! Getting the preview check box on the bank reconciliation panel would seem like a quick win but it has never been addressed. Is this really an enhancement request? And how many times do we have to ask about the purchases clearing report getting fixed? I wrote @Wayne Schulz an email back in 2003 about the short comings of the report and this was highlighted at Summit in Las Vegas (2014). How often does the request need to be made?
And what exactly is a dashbaord (driven) user-interface? If I asked that question to any of my clients, I would get the same deer in the headlights look that Sharon Jackman gave us back in 2005 (or so) when we mentioned problems with bank rec and the RMA module. Is it a browser based interface for a cloud app? Is it another version of a BIE? I really don't have a clue on how to answer that. Please clarify.
In short, I am starting to feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football only to have Lucy yank it out at the last minute. How many times/ways do they ask but not DO anything? Do something. But if they must ask AGAIN, please clarify what is being asked. It doesn't matter who wrote the survey. IMHO, it is a poorly written survey and you will only get less than optimal responses as a result.
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Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2019 20:25
From: Moira Goggin
Subject: Sage 100 Future Roadmap Survey
The wording on the survey is from Sage.
You do not need to have access to Sage Idea forum to complete the survey.
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Moira Goggin
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc.