Bigger and better: Sage Line 500 v7

By Ashley Ellington for Softline Enterprise
Johannesburg, 26 Nov 2007

Software needs to be as flexible as the businesses it serves. Just as companies can`t afford to stand still, so too must applications remain sufficiently dynamic to continue acting as business enablers.

Softline Enterprise has taken this challenge very seriously, releasing new versions of its products that incorporate customer-requested features.

Ashley Ellington, MD of Softline Enterprise, says Sage Line 500 v7 is one such release, and one that will impact significantly on users and business.

Ellington says Sage Line 500 v7 features a number of improvements designed to improve the usability of the software and make it work even harder for your business.

"Key themes we focused on during development were usability, integration, international support, platform support and the creation of a customer wish list.

"In practical terms, v7 is that much more flexible and efficient, with common functions easier and faster to use. It also enables even better integration having additional tools to assist in the process."

He comments that because customer feedback and wishes are so important to Sage`s product development, it made use of an online voting system to gather feedback about v6 - clearly reflected in the features of v7. "Sage Line 500 v7 delivers that much more than its predecessors. The software works even harder for your business," says Ellington.

Significant improvements clients can expect in finance alone include enhancement of the credit management module thereby supporting more efficient management of the credit control process. This translates into improved enquiries, tailored call lists, support for group working and better management of statement/order point customer relationships.

"Each credit controller can now tailor their call lists to their own specific requirements, for example," says Ellington. "They also have direct access to all necessary credit control information and functionality from the call entry option. This makes it that much easier for staff to do their jobs - and do them well."

The finance department can also look forward to an automated general ledger year-end journal (that allows the system to automatically post the balance of all profit and loss accounts to one account at the General Ledger year-end, with a contra entry to the balance sheet account), and the reallocation of cash - where a cash payment can be re-allocated to a different invoice.

The new look v7 also assists in distribution and manufacturing with enhanced back to back orders (allowing you to create purchase orders directly from a sales order) and stock "hold" and "obsolete" controls. "This means that individual products can now be marked as `obsolete` or `held`; with obsolete stock able to be sold but unable to be purchased, and held stock unable to be sold or purchased," says Ellington. Other modules that have been overhauled in this sector include credit notes, alternate routes and bills of materials, bill of materials drill down, inventory batch queue sequencing and multi-company batch queue cleardown.

Ellington explains that because customers have increasingly sophisticated requirements in terms of creating a single integrated software environment, Sage Line 500 v7 is that much easier to integrate with other software - whether Sage or third-party.

"We`ve added a large number of new APIs, allowing integration with more of the Sage Line 500 system, particularly around the sales order to cash process. We`ve additionally migrated the API server and tools to .Net2 in line with industry norms."

Perhaps the best feature of Sage Line 500 v7, however, is its support for newer technology - keeping the software compatible with changing Unix and Microsoft Windows operating systems, databases and other software in use in customer businesses.

Version 7 has an updated Universal Client, providing support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.

With Sage Line 500 having just become that much better, companies can look forward to its improvements making a positive impact on their businesses and how they do business. Promising numerous enhancements and additional features, the compact Sage Line 500 v7 looks set to impress well into the future.

Attend the Softline Enterprise and Defacto road shows starting on Friday 30 November in Cape Town, Wednesday 5 November in Durban and Thursday 6 December in Johannesburg. Contact Tamsin Charilaou on 011 304 2500 or TamsinC@SoftlineEnterprise.co.za for further details.

Softline Enterprise

Softline Enterprise is a leading supplier of business management solutions, delivering performance and Web capability that is essential for success in today`s competitive business environment. Addressing finance, construction, distribution, manufacturing, services, retail requirements, CRM and e-business, the product offering also supports and consolidates activity across expanding business needs. Available on a wide range of operating systems and compatible with a host of industry leading databases, it gives mid-range and larger organisations the reliability and scalability required to keep ahead of competitors.

Softline Enterprise products are supported through a network of accredited partners which bring together the individual product and service components to deliver a complete and tailored solution.

Softline Enterprise products include:

Sage 1000 - a new, single business management software application designed to span operations across mid-sized businesses, integrating front office CRM and back office ERP systems. By sharing information between functional areas, businesses can enjoy greater efficiency, experience fewer errors from re-keying of data, and increase service levels by making it easier to give accurate, timely information from across the business to customers.

Sage Line 500 - offering all the advantages of a traditional ERP solution, Sage Line 500 provides tight financial control with full visibility of costs and powerful reporting tools. In addition, it includes an evaluation of market trends to assist customers to make informed strategic decisions. The product also manages cash flow through close budget control and efficient purchase requisitioning and supports international business with multi-language, multi-currency, multi-company features. It includes vertical solutions such as manufacturing, construction and retail.

Sage SalesLogix - an affordable, fully scaleable and powerful CRM solution that is easily customised for medium-sized and divisions of large corporate businesses. Sage SalesLogix is designed to integrate seamlessly with other business software and back office applications, providing businesses with a holistic view of each customer.

Softline

Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions to small, medium and large companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia.

Focused on the development of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions, Softline has a 17-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline`s leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Enterprise, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group`s product offerings, provide Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions.

In November 2003, Softline was acquired by Sage Group plc, a FTSE 100 company. The software group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large business community.

Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

Sage

The Sage Group plc, an established FTSE 100 company, is a leading supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and services to 5.2 million small and medium-sized clients worldwide. With over 13 000 employees, the Sage Group comprises market-leading businesses throughout Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and Australia. Its products and services are sold through a global network of 23 000 reseller partners, 40 000 accountants as well as directly to clients from Sage companies throughout the world. For the financial year ending 30 September 2006, the group`s revenue grew by 22% to lb935.6 million and the operating profit rose by 18% to lb235.8 million.

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