The third and final part of the interview with Sage’s Greg Ford discussing the importance of an Accountants role for both businesses and Sage

Part two of three of the interview with Greg Ford of the Sage Accountants Division

Part one of a three part in-depth interview with Greg Ford, the MD of Sage UK’s Accountants Division, discussing the key issues raised from the Sage Pulse 2009 research.

The latest version of Act (Sage’s most popular CRM software) launches for presale on 17/08/09, the last orders for version 2009 will be taken on 14/08/09 and shipped immediately, however we can still make a download of 2009 available if required.

We are expecting our “Test Drive” facility on the main website (the feature where you can log on to a live fully working version of the software online) to be updated to the new 2010 version week commencing 10/08/09.

We have been told that our “Test Drive” feature on the main website, will be updated with Sage 50 Accounts 2010 from the 3rd August this year.  So if you would like to see the new features in action, please bookmark us, as we will keep you updated if this changes, alternatively just come back on or after 03/08/09 to try out the latest version of Sage 50. Best of all it’s still completely free!

We are still asked on a weekly basis about Sage Line 50.  Sage have re-branded most of their software over the last couple of years, so Sage Line 100, became MMS which is now Sage 200, Sage Personnel became Sage 50 HR, so likewise Sage Line 50 has now become Sage 50 Accounts. The product range is essentially the same, so Line 50 Accountant is now Sage 50 Accounts, Accountant Plus is Accounts Plus, infact the only one which really had it’s name changed was Sage Line 50 Financial Controller, which is now Sage 50 Accounts Professional.

So why the change?  The main reason seems to be the suite approach to Sage software, users are demanding better software integration, so for clarity all “50″ products are part of the same suite, “200″ is the same.  I can only guess that the reason for moving away from numbering the versions (v11, v12, v13 etc) is for a similar reason, does the average user really care if it is the 11th or 12th release of a product, or is it more important to know that all their software is say 2009 and therefore compatible.

Perhaps next time someone asks me about Sage Line 50, I can just email them a link to this post.

Ledger Services have teamed up with Runware, to provide a free working version of Sage 50 Accounts, Act, Payroll and Financial Forecasting through our website.

Just click the “Test Drive” icon, on the right hand side of any page in the main website and you will be able to access a live working version of each product.  From here you can use a fully working version of the software, enter invoices, do a bank rec’, even a VAT return, all with our demonstration data.  Please bear in mind that when you leave the demo’ all data will be re-set, so if you come back again it will be as you originally found it.

Sage Line 100 has been replaced by Sage 200 now for some time, so Sage have now made the decision to cease sales of new Sage Line 100 systems from 1st October 2009.

If you are already using Sage Line 100 you will still be able to buy user upgrades and support, The Line 100 software has not really been developed for some time now, but many existing customers have bespoke development to their software, hence have not yet upgraded. 

Any new customers will need to purchase Sage 200 instead.

Sage have bought Protx, instantly making them the UK’s largest independent Internet Payment Service Provider.

“The acquisition of Protx brings Sage the capability to integrate secure payment systems with our business management software. With Protx in the UK and Verus in the US, we continue our strategy to expand into new adjacent markets and broaden the range of services we can offer our SME customers” said Sage Group chief executive Paul Walker.

The Sage Construct Advanced development team have been very busy over the last few months, the result is a completely updated sales module, due for release in the next few months.

The new module will offer simplified billing for those who wish to keep the whole process of Valuations and Applications For Payment as simple as possible, whilst providing a more flexible method of billing multiple variations, for those with more complex jobs.  In addition the whole product has had a bit of a face-lift, with fresher looking screens and improved drop down menus.  As soon as we get to see it for ourselves we will publish a full review.