Blog

The Importance of Security When Deploying Sage Accpac ERP on the Web

Even though the soon-to-be-released Sage Accpac ERP Version 6 will be a Web-based application, you will still be able to deploy it on your LAN to minimize the risk of exposure to the Web. However, the ability to log in to Sage Accpac from home, the airport, a hotel, or my local Starbucks would really make life a lot easier in certain situations. However, with great power comes great responsibility. While Version 6 will be set up to do all communication through a secure connection called Transport Layer Security (TLS), it will still be important for users of Sage Accpac Version 6 to follow corporate security practices. Awareness training for employees to not disclose passwords, ensuring IT staff routinely monitors server logs for unusual activity, and properly installing Sage Accpac Version 6 by a certified Sage Accpac consultant are just a few ways to ensure your data is safe.

- Brian Terrell, CPA and Managing Partner

What's New With Orchid Systems?

As a strong supporter of Orchid Systems products for Sage Accpac ERP, we are pleased to announce the newest 5.6 version features of Orchid's Process Scheduler, Info-Explorer, RMA, Inter-Entity Transactions, Information Manager, and Bin Tracking, which have already been released.

Process Scheduler - Version 5.6:

• New action of "Clear Data Integrity Logs" that enables the clearing down of old integrity logs. All logs will be cleared which are older than "x" days - which is entered on the action.
• New F9 zoom screen to facilitate quicker setup time
• New schedules report to enable Schedules to be printed
• Clear button on the Audit logs screen will only clear the filtered tasks

 Info-Explorer - Version 5.6:

• Ability to export to HTML - and from there to email or print.

RMA - Version 5.6:

• Compatibility with the new IC Version 5.6 Serial and Lot Tracking

Inter-Entity Transactions - Version 5.6:

• Sage Accpac ERP Version 5.6 compatibility

Information Manager - Version 5.6:

• Sage Accpac ERP Version 5.6 compatibility

Bin Tracking - Version 5.6:

• Compatibility with the new IC v5.6 Serial and Lot Tracking
• Sage Accpac ERP Version 5.6 compatibility

- Brian Terrell, CPA and Managing Partner

Sage Accpac ERP 6.0 Product Roadmap

In an earlier post, we mentioned some of the features included in the newest version of Sage Accpac ERP 5.6 such as:

• New serialized inventory and lot tracking
• Improved bank reconciliation
• Sage Accpac Intelligence
• Simplified installation and data activation
• Free training
• Built-in A/R inquiry tool

On his blog, Stephen Smith, the Chief Architect of the Sage Accpac product, gives us insight into what we may expect in the future from Sage Accpac ERP 6.0. He states that the main goal of version 6.0 is to solve customer requests with Web technology in 3 main areas:

*Usability: Improve Productivity

• role-based, personalized portal
• task-oriented navigation
• contextual user assistance

*Reporting: Faster Information Access

• integrated dashboards/KPI's
• ad-hoc inquiry tool - quick information lists

*Integration: Streamline Processes

• enhanced quote-to-order workflow for SageCRM users
• elimination of Lanpak requirement for SageCRM users for Order Entry
• SageCRM 7.0 support
  

Read More From Stephen Smith's Blog

- Brian Terrell, CPA and Managing Partner

Source: Smith, Stephen. "SageERP Accpac 6.x Product Roadmap." smist08.wordpress.com. February 19, 2010. <http://smist08.wordpress.com>/2010/02/

U.S. GAAP & IFRS Coming Together?

In November 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a proposed roadmap for making the transition from the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). At the time, the SEC did not have enough information to decide if IFRS should be incorporated for American public companies. 

On Wednesday, the SEC "voted unanimously to issue a statement affirming support for a single set of high-quality globally accepted accounting standards as well as ongoing consideration of incorporating IFRS into the financial reporting system for US issuers," according to WebCPA.com. While this is still not a concrete decision to incorporate IFRS into the US system, it is very significant because it shows America's willingness to establish standards with foreign countries, which may help greatly in analyzing financial statements. In fact, it may increase investment in America as well as American investment abroad due to standardization that most developed nations will be familiar with, thus creating more globalization and perhaps higher profits for all. 

Of course, the SEC is determined to also help improve the current IFRS with the help of its Financial Accounting standards Board (FASB) whose suggestions cannot be ignored. There is the fear that since the IFRS is not as complex or detailed as the US GAAP, American investors might not be as protected as they once were.

There is still a long way before any changes are made or incorporated. By 2011, the SEC hopes to finalize a decision as to whether or not IFRS will become the new American standard. Will this mean the end of GAAP? Probably not, as the US will make sure that some of its old standards it deems necessary are added to the IFRS.

- Ruba Ayyat, Marketing

Source: Cohn, Michael. "SeC Votres on Work Plan for Incorporating IFRS." www.webcpa.com. February 24, 2010. <http://www.webcpa.com/news/SEC-Votes-Work-Plan-Incorporating-IFRS-53368-1.html?ET=webcpa:e720:136853a:&st=email>

Executive Roundtable Luncheon at Lawry’s in Addison

Are unmet sales forecasts putting cash flow at risk?
Are deals taking longer to close?
Are discounts hammering your margins?

We invite you to join Brian Terrell, CPA & Managing Partner at Terrell & Terrell, CPAs; Lee Martinez, Sales Coach & President of QVP Results; and Chuck Reeves, President of True Growth Strategies for an executive round table luncheon at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Addison on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.

What's in it for you?

• A great Lawry's meal in the company of fellow executives
• Learn 10 tips for pipeline management and sales cycle strategy
• Take part in a discussion about how technology and process innovation can improve your top line results
• The chance to win an iPod Shuffle

Who is invited: Executives
What: Executive Round Table Luncheon Hosted by Terrell & Terrell
When: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Where: Lawry's The Prime Rib in Addison, TX
Cost: Free to Any Executives in Charge of Creating Revenue
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Contact Meredith Gooch to learn more or to RSVP.

Sales Tax Returns & Filing Tools for the Progressive Accountant

As another tax season rolls around, it may be time to analyze how much your business has grown. Complex new sales tax obligations make returns preparation and filing time-consuming and cumbersome for growing businesses. In this one-hour Webcast, find out about the most important tools and practices you can implement to make returns preparation, filing, and remittance an efficient and streamlined process. Take away tools and resources you can put to use immediately, learning from real cases and examples of how Speedtax's latest Software-as-a-Service technology improves controls and transparency while reducing expenses and staff time. Click Here to View This Webcast

3 Game Changing Strategies for Using ERP

A streamlined, highly responsive IT organization that saves money & increases the value of technology investments is no longer an aspiration but a business imperative.

Join this FREE live Webinar on February 24, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. Central to learn

• 3 game-changing strategies for using ERP to drive innovation, efficiency, and revenue this year
• Improve productivity, increase efficiencies, control costs, and unlock visibility across your business
• How your business can maximize an ERP system to adapt more quickly, develop and manage new and innovative business models and processes, and compete in the new economy
• Practical tips to improve performance across your sales, finance, and IT teams

Featured Speakers: Dr. Katherine Jones - President, Independent Consulting Services and Erik Kaas - Director, Product Management, Sage

Using Sage Accpac ERP U.S. Payroll EFT Combine

Recently, we reminded everyone that one of our great customers, Johnnie McGraw of Medicine Chest Pharmacies, diagnosed a bug with the EFT Combine function in Sage Accpac ERP U.S. Payroll (for which Sage recently released a hot fix).  This got us to thinking...how many realize the benefit of EFT Combine?  In general, the only thing for which banks currently do not charge is checking your bags when you fly...and EFT file submission is no exception.  Our own bank charges us $10 every time we upload these files to their Web site.  It's called an ACH File Upload charge, and it becomes an expense that EFT Combine can reduce when:

• a Sage Accpac client company processes payroll for more than one company (thereby creating multiple EFT files) OR when
• a Sage Accpac client company processes multiple payrolls in the same company (thereby creating multiple EFT files) OR when
• a Sage Accpac client company processes payroll in such a way that both of these situations occur (thereby creating mass confusion out of which only EFT Combine can make sense)

You can find the EFT Combine setup function in U.S. Payroll Setup.  Please do not hesitate to contact Chris Firra for additional information or assistance with this or any other Sage Accpac ERP feature!  And remember...regardless of your decision to offer direct deposit to your employees or your decision to use EFT Combine...your bags still fly free!

- Brian Terrell, CPA and Managing Partner

Congratulations to David Lahey!

Congratulations to David Lahey for joining SpeedTax as the new Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing! We are excited for him, and we are anticipating great things from this new venture.

System Requirements for Running Sage Accpac ERP Version 5.6

People have been asking us what type of environment they need to have in place to run Sage Accpac most effectively. Check out this PDF for the latest requirements and supported platforms for Sage Accpac 5.6.

- Chris Firra, Sr. Consultant