Don't automatically blame Sage.
There are a lot of what we used to call orphans. In reality these are people who (1) don't want to pay (2) are unscrupulous. and (3) will go along with whatever you suggest right up until it's time to cut a check.
I'm on my second ROR where the people communicated right up to the ROR going final and then went 100% radio silent.
I had a former customer who was acquired and approached me to write several export routines which they needed to share data between the new and acquired company. These folks - and their four IT people I met weekly with for two months - promptly stiffed me out of half my fee after their company was acquired by another PE form half way through my work.
Now I start to get wiser in my old age (aka fool me once…)
I get a referral to "help" a computer company who has a customer in a similar situation with old Sage 100 and they're wringing their hands about what to do to archive that data so it's acceptable. Fast forward three meetings and this referrer sends me an indemnity agreement that I'll defend the referrer (several states away ) in case of any legal action remotely connected to this small project. And, oh, by the way…. We want a 20% commission and you pay us whether you collect your fee or not.
Several people have called "my reseller xyz retired and said to call you". I quote them a reasonable fee. And never hear another word. Apparently the prior reseller worked for free.
I kid you not it's a crazy world and a lot of the craziness is someone from these end users who probably haven't spent a dime in consulting fees in the last 15 years - And they're not about to start now with me or you.
The only solution I find is "here's the quote, it expires in 14 days, work can begin being planned upon receipt of payment. Once the quote expires contact me for a new price. "
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Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.comSchulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2025 10:17
From: Cullen Lowe
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Hey 90minds folks,
I'm coming late to this party but just had an eye-opener, and my first exposure to this "Sage Expert Services". We inherited a client from a reseller who left the Sage space a few years ago, and I worked on several custom payroll reports for them - with which they were very happy.
As they were on v2020 last I checked in with them, I thought it was time to discuss an upgrade to 2024 (okay, a little past time). I was informed that they are now on v2022 and that in fact Sage Expert Services contacted them and did their upgrade for them.
Granted they are a pretty simple system, with just the basic financials, but:
- They have maintained their Sage subscriptions (Standard and Payroll). Never been off plan.
- As far as I can tell, nobody at Sage suggested they work with us, their Business Partner.
- Even though I never got to the point where I quoted them a price for an upgrade, my customer claimed that "the cost was similar to ours". How would they know that if Sage didn't suggest that?
Apologies if I sound a little bristly here, but I am not a happy camper right now. Oh, and to make this even more interesting, she tells me that Sage Expert Services is talking to them about upgrading to v2025.
------------------------------
Cullen Lowe | Senior Business Consultant
Kissinger Associates, Inc.
Office: 800-562-5456 x255 | Mobile: 717-460-3755
cullenl@kissingerassoc.com | kissingerassoc.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2022 15:50
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Possibly.
Which is the reason I asked that Sage provide a detailed update on the OAuth and TLS issues at the last development meeting.
Customers are going to pick up on these FAQ and ask us about them.
Without any feedback from Sage ( and I expect they will be full speed "head in the sand" ) I'm just going to take the FAQ verbatim and if the customer wants to take a different position then that's their right.
------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2022 15:16
From: Brian Kelly
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
@Wayne Schulz Is it possible that TLS 1.2 in v2019 is specific to "e-mails through Paperless Office and eBusiness Manager" while the changes to the "license verification" is completely separate and will only affect v2021.4 and higher?
Yes, confused is how I feel.
------------------------------
Brian Kelly
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2022 14:01
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Sage's documents on this are confusing at best
For example, the TLS Public Document 7/25/2022
It talks about various supported versions
I guess 2020 is supported

Nevermind, it looks like 2021 is required

Ok, I guess this isn't technically wrong since 2020 is supported today.
But it won't be supported in 2023 when Sage turns off the TLS 1.0 and 1.1
This is just really confusing -- especially for any customer with the ability to read these FAQs
From my memory 2019+ had TLS 1.2 capabilities -- so I'm not sure why 2019 wouldn't be deemed supported?

------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2022 23:58
From: Brett Zimmerman
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
"If you have a subscription business care plan and are not on a Supported Version of Sage 100, your software will convert to read-only mode."
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Brett Zimmerman
Net at Work
Greater Boston Area
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2022 15:02
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Nice info.
Also noted that Sage says the upgrade pricing is for "out of the box" upgrades and for customers with enhancements you have to request a custom quote.
------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2022 14:47
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
I missed being there!
Sage replied to my email with some good details:

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2022 14:41
From: Alnoor Cassim
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Kevin - "Sage Expert Services" was not mentioned at MOTM this year. (It would've have interfered with the good vibes of their presentations). Missed seeing you there!
------------------------------
Alnoor Cassim
Email: alnoor.cassim@90minds.com
Ph:
Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2022 13:03
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Were "Sage Expert Services" mentioned at all during MOTM? (I didn't attend this year).
------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2022 15:29
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Doug,
Here's info on how Sage says they will handle the referral of customers needing an upgrade.
- Existing on plan customers will be advised to contact their Sage business partner for guidance and upgrade assistance.
- Users that have been off plan for less than four years will be assisted by Sage internal teams and existing processes.
- Users that have been off plan for more than four years will be assisted by Sage internal teams and existing processes with the objective of aligning to a Sage business partner
My guess is the process for those not on plan:
- Can we sell the SPC?
- Can we sell them Intacct?
- Proceed to #2 or #3 depending upon how far off plan
------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2022 15:17
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
"also do not get in the middle of any "can we use x consulting and also your services?".
The answer is no. And that would include if they wanted to use Sage for their upgrades."
I like this answer.
It would be nice to know if they are outsourcing this, and if so to whom. Something doesn't sit right with me on this.
------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Chauffeur, Chef, and Personal Assistant to Sprinkles
Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2022 15:07
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
I am still in the process of thinking about pricing in response to this issue.
As of now I'm considering a plan that includes an upgrade up to once every two years for $ x/yr.
Then when the customer says "what if we don't want the upgrade up to once every two years for $x" --- have a plan that is $ Y base upgrade plus $z per version back which will be much more expensive when they do the math (which they will).
I also do not get in the middle of any "can we use x consulting and also your services?".
The answer is no. And that would include if they wanted to use Sage for their upgrades.
------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT
Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2022 15:02
From: Wayne Schulz
Subject: SAGE Expert Services - Cost of SAGE 100 upgrade?
Yes spotted this when Sage began issuing an advisory on the OAuth and TLS issues.
You should quote them a fee to upgrade this year and then every other year after that. And include support in your recurring fee.
I don't know who Sage is using for this but I would guess it will be one or two of the BPAC level firms.
------------------------------
Wayne Schulz
wayne@s-consult.com
Schulz Consulting
(860) 516-8990
Moodus, CT