Sage Software, Inc. — Sage Accpac 200 ERP

From the Sept. 2008 Review
of Mid-Range Accounting Systems

Sage Accpac 200 ERP from Sage Software is an accounting and financial management
product designed for companies looking to upgrade to a more sophisticated product.
Always striving to bring fresh and updated functionality, Sage Accpac 200 ERP’s
latest release (Version 5.5) offers numerous module updates as well as several
key new general features and better integration options.

Ease of Use/Transaction Entry – 5 Stars
The Sage Accpac 200 ERP desktop houses access to all installed product modules
and links to the homepage, support and training options. Modules can be accessed
from the drop-down menu bar at the top of the screen or through the Tasks area
to the left. Files and applications can easily be added to the tasks area by
simply clicking on the feature and choosing the items to which the user wants
to link.

Program navigation is easy, and new users will benefit from the Setup Wizard,
which will help simplify program set up as well as entering new company information.
Data-entry screens are also easily navigated with intuitive functions like arrows
and lookup options. The Explorer-style menu and full customization capability
make it easy to create an interface with which the user will be comfortable.
Transactions are entered using a batch system, with posted and deleted batches
easily displayed for reference. Upon installation, all system applications will
need to be activated prior to use.

Modules & Notable Features – 5 Stars
Sage Accpac 200 ERP offers the following modules: GL, GL Consolidations, Multicurrency,
Intercompany Transactions, Transaction Analysis and Optional Field Creator,
Purchase Order, AP, AR, Order Entry, National Accounts Management, Return Material
Authorization, Inventory Control, Project and Job Costing, U.S. & Canadian
Payroll, and System Manager. The vendor also offers a variety of industry-specific
modules such as CRM and Contact Management, HR Management, e-Commerce &
e-Marketing, and Warehouse Management.

As previously noted, the new Version 5.5 includes better integration with
other Sage Software products; new AP, AR and Sales Analysis Dashboards that
allow snapshot views of a business’ financial status; improved multicurrency
options; and the ability to create job quotes for small projects. Integration
with the Sage Software family of products is one of Sage Accpac 200 ERP’s
most notable features. The product offers a lot of flexibility and can be deployed
using the standard desktop network, via a web-browser or both. A hosted version
is also available at www.sageaccpaconline.com.

Extremely scalable, Sage Accpac 200 ERP offers numerous add-ons and will integrate
with a long list of products listed on the vendor’s website. The product
is available in three versions: Sage Accpac 100 ERP, 200 ERP and 500 ERP. Screens
are consistent throughout all three versions, so upgrading is a painless process.

Integration/Import/Export – 5 Stars
Flexibility is extremely important when purchasing a new product, and Sage Accpac
200 ERP certainly fits the bill, offering a wide variety of versions, including
the ability to run on Pervasive SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Linux and
Oracle. As previously noted, numerous industry-specific add-on modules are available,
including specialized e-Commerce, Human Resources, business intelligence (BI),
fixed asset management, and CRM products. Data can be easily imported or exported
using a variety of file formats, including Word, Excel, PDF, HTML, ODBC and
*.CSV.

Reporting – 5 Stars
All Sage Accpac 200 ERP modules offer extensive reporting capabilities, with
the ability to customize each report. Reports can also be exported to a variety
of file formats including Excel, Word, HTML, and XML formats. Customer statements,
invoices and other correspondence can also be e-mailed as needed. The Financial
Reporter program, which is included, utilizes Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets
from GL data. The Financial Link Professional is an Options program that utilizes
a series of templates that can be used to create professional looking reports
and customer statements. Sage Accpac Insight is another add-on/optional program
that offers BI and reporting functionality.

Support/Training/Help – 5 Stars
Sage Software offers a variety of software support and maintenance plans. The
ClientCare Software Assurance Plan is a product maintenance plan that includes
all product upgrades and service packs along with access to the Sage Accpac
200 ERP Knowledgebase. Also available is priority telephone and online support.
Training options include online and classroom training, and a series of self-study
manuals is available to print directly from the software (or hard copies can
be purchased, if desired). Sage Accpac 200 ERP also includes a comprehensive
Help feature that will answer many of the questions a user might have.

Relative Value – 4.5 Stars
Pricing for Sage Accpac 200 ERP’s single-user system that includes all
of the core 200 edition modules starts at around $10,000. While not the most
inexpensive of the products reviewed here, it offers customers a flexible system
that can be easily upgraded to a more powerful system if needed. With three
versions and multiple deployment methods, Sage Accpac 200 ERP is a wise investment
that mid-sized companies can make now and then reap the benefits for years to
come.

2008 Overall Rating: 5 Stars