Remember when we used to just refer to Sage as MAS? Then MAS 90 and MAS 200 were re-branded as Sage 100. Then we announced Sage 100c and then several weeks ago we wrote about Sage 100c being renamed to Sage 100cloud as part of their “Connected Cloud Strategy”. Over the past week we’ve started to learn a lot more about what it means for the average Sage 100 user.
Now that Sage has simplified the naming of their native cloud products to Accounting, Financials and Enterprise Management under the Sage Business Cloud umbrella, they wanted to make it clear that their core – “cloud-connected” – on-premise products such as Sage 100c are front and center in this strategy. Sage continues to invest and expand further with cloud connections while Sage 100 remains firmly planted as an on-premise solution at the core.
Embracing the Future
We’ve come to learn that this is much more than a marketing name change – and the future is looking bright. The name change is about embracing the future by identifying individual product ecosystems and enabling Sage 100 customers to seamlessly add on new product capabilities such as processing payroll, eCommerce or accepting credit card payments or growing into a larger, more robust solution without the migration headache typically associated with a sizable ERP implementation.
The Sage Business Cloud architecture works underpinning cloud solutions with a Single Sign-On (SSO) platform that allows data to flow and be accessed seamlessly from any of the solutions customers decide to activate such as payments and banking, payroll, customized reporting, or one of many third-party integrations. So, you won’t need to manually integrate or connect Sage 100cloud with anything that connects to the Sage Business Cloud. The connectivity happens behind the scenes and through the platform.
Connected Cloud Strategy
Sage is unique in that they have this cloud-connected solutions strategy that doesn’t force long standing customers to make an expensive and time-consuming solution overhaul they may not actually need or be ready for. Instead they are enabling cloud functionality that brings greater freedom and efficiencies to your current processes. So, to make it clear that traditional on-premise applications play a significant role in the Sage Business Cloud strategy, products like Sage 100c have been renamed to Sage 100cloud.
The on-premise Sage 100 you use today will continue to operate in the same way. Customer’s using what was previously called the “c-line” can now connect the Sage Business Cloud to a wide range of additional services to further strengthen their solution. A number of the cloud services are already available such as Sage AP Automation, Sage Inventory Advisor, Sage eCommerce (available June 2018), and the Microsoft Office 365 integration for Sage 100 which will be available next month as well as a number of other services coming over the next few months, including:
- Budgeting & Planning
- Auto Bank Fees
- Sage Contacts with Office 365
- Reprint SO from history
- Time Track Entry Mobile
- Sage eCommerce
- Office 265 BOTS
- Consolidated Invoicing
- Paperless Office 365
- Work Order to framework
- International addresses
- Lot/Serial Expiry dates
- Revenue Recognition engine
- Collections On-Line
- Mobility for Work Order
- MRP to framework
- Point of Sale
- Expense Management
- More…
The Microsoft Office 365 Integration for Sage 100 is expected to be released in March.
We already know that Sage 100c has been named to Sage 100cloud, which will primarily be seen on marketing and communications materials geared towards new clients. Operationally, Sage 100cloud will still be referred to as “Sage 100”. It will still be an on-premise product, but with the connected-cloud capabilities to the greater Sage Business Cloud capabilities. It has all of the security and familiarity of the desktop solution you know today plus the added productivity and mobility of cloud-based connected services.
Connected Cloud = Added Value
In summary, Sage’s cloud-connected strategy is all about adding value to Sage 100 customers and providing them with an easy way to integrate a variety of cloud connected products and services. This will ensure you continue to derive the maximum value from your on-going investment as your business requirements change and grow.
BCS ProSoft is listening loud and clear. We’re hear to help you if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can always reach us at (800) 882-6705 or by contacting us online where we’ll connect you to your Sage 100 Account Manager.
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