BTerrell Group Blog

Four Real-Life Results from Sage ERP Accpac Implementations

Challenge	Results
Lack of standardization constrained the quantity and quality of management information, making it difficult for a hotel chain to perform in-depth analysis or generate reports.	Sage ERP Accpac Online helps synchronize the hotel chain's diverse accounting practices without diluting its focus on customer-impact systems.
A company's accounting and point-of-sale software was slow, provided financial and inventory data that was several days old, and did not make inventory viewable from other locations.	Sage ERP Accpac helped this company cut order entry time in half! Anticipated efficiencies will reduce inventory on hand by 20% and support 25% growth in sales without adding new staff.
A chemical distributer needed to speed up collections, enhance the tracking of customer information, improve sales processes, and minimize training time and related costs for new sales representatives.	The company now has quicker, more reliable access to information, optimized staff productivity and customer satisfaction, reduced training time, and closes more sales.
A high-tech company required a streamlined solution that could keep pace with its rapid growth and perform a variety of advanced accounting processes.	With Sage ERP Accpac, this company has instant access to key information for effectively tracking sales and inventory data, performing month-end closing, and creating and customizing reports.

 

At BTerrell Group, we look for ways to improve your work-life, streamline processes, and provide you with more accurate and up to date information that you need to achieve the goals you want for your business. Contact us today to begin working on your own real-life results from Sage ERP Accpac (soon to be called Sage ERP 300)!

Sage ERP Accpac Hot Fix and Payroll Update Announcements from Twitter

Attention Sage ERP Accpac Users! You heard it right! If you are a Twitter fan you'll be happy to know that you can find out about any hot fixes and payroll tax updates on Twitter! Simply visit or follow Sage Accpac CS at https://twitter.com/sageaccpaccs. You can also get this information directly by following Brian Terrell at https://twitter.com/brian_terrell.

 

Five Reasons to Choose Sage ERP Accpac (Soon Called Sage 300 ERP)

Sage ERP Accpac (soon to be called Sage 300 ERP) is not for everyone. I know this sounds crazy coming from a company who believes in the product (otherwise we wouldn't have worked with the product for 20+ years...!), but it is true. Some companies are just too small for the breadth of Sage ERP Accpac and some large companies need an enterprise level solution like SAP. For many mid-market companies though, Sage ERP Accpac is precisely what they need. Here are five reasons we believe mid-market companies should choose Sage ERP Accpac (Sage 300 ERP):

One Unified Solution
Accurate, readily available information is imperative to driving daily business decisions. Unifying all of your data into one solution creates a true view of your business which is vital to growth and profitability.

Superior Architecture
Sage ERP adapts quickly as your business requirements evolve, and it is technically designed to provide your business with more control and flexibility. You can deploy all or part of the functions according to your requirements, one step at a time.

• Scalable editions support 1-250+ users
• Deployment neutral: on-site or on-demand (hosted cloud computing)
• Database Options: Pervasive.SQL, Microsoft SQL, or Oracle.

Global Reach/Local Touch
An international presence is not only important for modern enterprises, it is essential. Sage ERP Accpac equips you with the tools required to maintain international currency standards and eliminate the complexities of multinational commerce.

Collaborative Ecosystem
Sage customers receive unmatched range of expertise, support, training, and collaboration through a unique ecosystem that includes Sage staff, programs, and resources; your local partner (BTerrell Group), training, and software user communities.

Proven, Reliable, and Experienced Available Functionality and Capabilities

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Advanced Budgeting
• Alerts
• Bank Reconciliation
• Business Intelligence
• Check and Form Printing
• CRM
• Document Management
• EDI
• EFT
• Fixed Assets
• General Ledger
• G/L Consolidations
• Human Resources
• Intercompany Transactions
• Inventory Control
• Language Overlays
• Manufacturing
• Multi-Currency
• Online
• Payroll
• Project and Job Cost
• Return Material Authorization
• Sage Sales Tax
• Sales Analysis
• Service and Maintenance Management
• Transaction Analysis and Optional Field Creator
• Warehouse Management

Still unsure? Give us a call today to talk through your business challenges and discover whether Sage ERP Accpac is the right move for you.

Systronics' Revenue & Expense Deferrals and ToolPac Webinar

Join us for a Webinar on Systronics' Revenue & Expense Deferrals and ToolPac on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 3:00 Central.

Amortize Transactions Over Service Contract Periods!
Revenue and Expense Deferrals for Sage ERP Accpac helps companies with the amortization of maintenance and service related contract revenue and expense amounts over the life of the contract. Companies get the advantage of compliance with the Public Company Accounting and Investor Protection Act of 2002 (also known as the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002). Although not specifically covered under the Act, non-public entities are also finding that bankers, investors, and acquisition candidates are non conditioned to expect increased transparency and real-time disclosure, effectively placing a greater accounting and reporting burden on companies who are not legally obligated to comply with the Act. Revenue and Expense Deferrals helps companies with meeting these additional demands.

Reconcile G/L Balances With Subledgers in Minutes Instead of Days!
ToolPac for Sage ERP Accpac efficiently identifies mismatches between Sage ERP Accpac modules, for example, mismatches between A/R balances and corresponding G/L accounts, or the actual balance in O/E Shipment Clearing account and the amount posted to that account according to audit logs in O/E. You can think of ToolPac as an inter-module integrity check. The current version supports G/L, A/R, A/P, I/C, O/E, and P/O modules of Sage ERP Accpac and lets you narrow down on the problems in just two or three easy steps.

• Verify the status of transactions (applicable only to P/O and O/E).
• Compare transaction balances in G/L and sub ledgers, period by period.
• Reconcile individual transactions in G/L with respective transactions in sub ledgers.

Some of the G/L accounts that ToolPac helps you verify and reconcile are:

• Payables Clearing
• Inventory Control
• Receivables Control
• Prepayment Liability
• Payables Control
• Prepayments

Want to learn more? Join the meeting on January 31 or contact us for more information if you are unable to attend.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/575874370
Dial in: 914-339-0034
Access Code: 575-874-370
Meeting ID: 575-874-370

 

Keys to Successful Software Implementations

Out of all of the software installations we have performed in our 21 year history, the most successful implementations came from businesses that did their homework! It boils down to these critical steps: assemble your team, define your goals, determine your budget, think about timing, perform a discovery project, and begin thinking of the cost not to implement new software.

Assemble Your Team
This team will be responsible for communicating with potential vendors, participating in presentations, reviewing your bottlenecks and needs vs. the solution, and ultimately making the decision to move forward with one software solution or another. Every member plays an important role, and having one person absent from presentations or other steps along the way will only slow down your progress.



Define Your Goals
Why are you considering purchasing and implementing new software? What will a successful implementation look like? What will a non-successful implementation look like? Work on this within your team, and you will be able to determine this easily. If you don't know what your goals are, how will you measure the success of the implementation?

Determine Your Budget
How do you know if you are within budget on a project without first knowing what the budget is? This one should be a no-brainer.

Begin Thinking About Timing
Is there a hard date when you need this implementation complete? (i.e. You won't be able to run Payroll unless it is complete by the start of the next quarter.) Are you just looking at options so you can plan for next year's budget? Would you like to be up and running by the end of the quarter? These are important things to know and to communicate with your software partner so they can plan accordingly to meet your deadlines.

Perform a Discovery Process
Many software products look alike as they relate to what is on the brochures. Take the time to figure out what you need in order to know if you've achieved your goals in the end! Ask the hard questions, and ensure you find a solution that gets you at least 85%-90% there…software development or add-ons can get you the rest of the way. Don't just buy a product for its look and feel…it may not have all the functionality you need. Partnering with a software vendor such as BTerrell Group is a great way to complete this step of the process. Believe me, in our 21 years in this industry we've seen just about everything. When you and your chosen vendor complete a discovery process before determining what needs to be done, results are seen faster, they are many times larger, and everyone is happy.

Begin Thinking About What It Would Cost You NOT to Implement the New Software
Perhaps you decide you want to wait until next year to purchase and implement the software. Maybe you really need the software up and running, but you have gotten buried between other projects and have let the software slip through the cracks. Sound familiar? It is important to think about what it will COST YOU NOT TO IMPLEMENT the new software. (Ex. A simple Accounts Payable automation might save you ten hours of processing time, or $13,000 per year. It did for one of our clients.)

Overall, deciding on a software vendor to partner with, purchasing the software, and working along side the partner as they implement it can sometimes be seen as a painful process, but with the right planning you can ease your way into the results you desire. If you would like more information about BTerrell Group, the software we provide, or the results our clients have achieved when working with us, please shoot us an email or gives a call at 214-647-2611. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals in 2012!

Orchid Webinar - January 25, 2012

Join us for a Webinar on January 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Central.

Space is limited so reserve your spot now! https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register890720634

Inter Entity Transactions (IET) has always been a great solution for organizations that need to generate DueTo and DueFrom entries to balance Intercompany or Inter Fund Transactions within one company database or across multiple company databases. For example, IET automatically creates the DueTo and DueFrom entries to facilitate expenses or the revenue allocations within one or across more than one database.

With the latest release of IET, many key features have been added such as:

1. Consolidated AP and AR Aging reports by Company.
2. Cash Management to balance AR Receipt. AP Payment and Bank Transfer entries made on behalf of related organizations through Bank Services.
3. GL Triggers to automatically set up entries to other GL Accounts in the same or different entities, AR Customers or AP Vendors.

The new IET TRADE module (purchased either standalone or integrated with IET) allows creation of entries within or across company databases for AP and AP transactions and/or OE to PO transactions. Support for Serialized & Lot Tracked Inventory and PJC information on these transactions has been added.

Webinar Title: Overview of Orchid Inter Entity Transactions with Cash Managment & GL Triggers and New IET TRADE Module
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time: 3:00 p.m. Central

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:
PC-based attendees - Windows(R) 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server
Mac-based attendees - Mac OS(R) X 10.5 or newer

 

New W-2 Reporting Requirement for Employers under ACA Starts in 2012

As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers are required to report the cost of health benefits coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan. This applies to both self-funded (ASO) and fully insured employer groups.

Originally slated to start with the 2011 tax year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determined in the fall of 2010 that employers needed additional time to update their payroll systems, so it made reporting optional for the 2011 tax year. Reporting will be required starting with the 2012 tax year, for which reporting begins in January 2013. For small groups (employers that issue fewer than 250 W-2 forms), however, reporting will continue to be optional for the 2012 tax year and will only become mandatory for the 2013 tax year (for which reporting begins January 2014).

Beginning in January, employers are required to track the total cost of health care coverage for tax year 2012. This information will be reported to the IRS on employee W-2 forms that will be issued in early 2013. This reporting is for informational purposes only and does not affect an employee’s tax liability.

If you have any questions specific to Sage ERP Accpac, please contact Kevin Yu.

Sage ERP Accpac Will Soon Be Called Sage 300

In 2012, new versions of Sage ERP Accpac (with the new name - Sage 300 ERP) will be launched with new features to help make your business life easier.

Sage 300 is the Sage family of business management software and services for midsized businesses and organizations and is available internationally. It supports configuration options to best match your needs and delivers a low total cost of ownership. Sage 300 includes ERP, Fixed Assets, HRMS, plus integration with Sage CRM solutions! Sage 300 solutions are sold and supported through local business partners (such as BTerrell Group) and are backed by Sage Business Care to ensure you get the most from your investment. Sage 300 grows as your business grows by providing versions to support the business growth cycle.

You can expect to begin to see these new product names used in communications early in 2012 as the launch for the new version approaches. The Sage website will begin using these names beginning in May.

Here are the naming details for the 2012 launches:
Sage ERP Accpac 100 will launch as Sage 300 Standard ERP
Sage ERP Accpac 200 will launch as Sage 300 Advanced ERP
Sage ERP Accpac 500 will launch as Sage 300 Premium ERP

All of the Sage ERP lines are driven by long-term development roadmaps to ensure Sage continues to deliver leading solutions to help make your business life easier. Rest assured that these products, newly named to make clear the Sage portfolio of solutions available to you, will deliver the same great capabilities, support, and backup you have known and value from Sage.

We'll keep you posted as the changes take place, but please contact us if you have any questions on how these changes might affect you.

Our Favorite Shortcuts in SageCRM and Sage ERP Accpac

Recently, I polled a few consultants in the office to find out what their favorite SageCRM and Sage ERP Accpac (soon to be called Sage 300) shortcuts are that they use every day. Part of my reasoning was to find out what I was missing (can't help myself!), but the other part was so I could share their tips with you. All of us at BTerrell Group enjoy finding faster ways to do tedious processes, and we love sharing those automations and shortcuts with our clients to help eliminate bottlenecks everywhere we can. Here are a few of our consultants' favorite shortcuts:

From any screen in SageCRM (*when using Internet Explorer only), click the button on the top left corner that reads "Recent." From there, you can select a case, opportunity, company, lead, order, person, or quote that you recently viewed instead of searching for that information again. This is a real time-saver when you jump back and forth between records.

Instead of moving your mouse and hovering over the >> button, you can simply click the F8 button. This is a great tool for those of use who tab through fields in Sage Accpac instead of using our mouse!

Another non-mouse shortcut in Sage Accpac is to press the + key while in a numeric field. This action opens the Accpac calculator.

What are your favorite shortcuts in SageCRM and Sage ERP Accpac?

Merry Christmas

Even Santa and his elves take a break every now and then...!

We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas filled with family, friends, and relaxation!!