Some Sage 50 users need more from Sage 50 than it’s intended to give, but for one reason or another can’t or shouldn’t upgrade.  First, of course, there needs to be a candid examination of whether the reason is a good reason.  When it is we can meet many challenges with Sage 50, by applying the experience and techniques used when working with more capable software such as Sage 200.

We do advise though that from the outset everyone is clear that stretching may well involve compromises.  When this is the case we’re careful to help you understand these, so that the decision you make about the benefits versus any risks is informed.

Reasons for stretching

The reasons for stretching Sage 50 always need examining on a case by case basis, and we can help with this.  However, examples of good reasons for stretching rather than upgrading are:

• Sage 50 is a good match in all except one or two respects
• Part of a group, but the business is too small to justify software costing more than Sage 50
• A new acquisition needing tiding over until the group accounts / ERP can be implemented
• Current budget, staff availability or staff skills don’t permit upgrading

Common Sage 50 pinch points

Sage 50 serves its core “demographic” of small and medium sized owner managed businesses (and indeed other organisations that are in some ways similar, such as smaller charities) really well.  If your business or organisation is moving away from that core “demographic” though then Sage 50 is likely to become an increasingly awkward fit.  Common pinch points include:

• Financial reports, especially period based
• Sales or margin reports
• Transaction volumes requiring automation
• Complex stock handling or stock characteristics such as batch numbers
• Integration with a third party warehouse
• High volumes of electronic orders (customers insisting on use of edi; web site orders; field sales)
• Multiple sites or companies needing standardisation of accounts data and processes

Getting more from Sage 50

We have solutions to many of the common Sage 50 pinch points.  Our approach though is to first help you determine if it’s wise to deploy our solutions, and if so whether they should be deployed on a temporary or long term basis.

The services we offer include:

• Briefings for finance staff familiar with the capabilities of finance software typically found in larger companies and needing to understand what they can and can’t expect of Sage 50
• Creation of Excel based management reporting packs for single or groups of companies, live linked to Sage 50 data
• Creating reports beyond the capabilities of the Sage 50 report designer, using third party reporting software
• Automation and integration using low cost third party software, bespoke software, or indeed a blend of both
• Redesign and recoding of nominal (and other accounts), design and documentation of processes