Sage ERP Accpac Version 6.0
See Your Business in a New Way
- Improve Productivity
- Envision Success
- Accelerate Growth
It's here! Attend the first global launch for
Sage ERP Accpac Version 6.0, the newest in our
line of business solutions Inspired by You!
- Hear directly from customers about how Sage ERP Accpac has impacted their business
- Chat live and network with Sage ERP executives, product specialists and Sage business partners
- Visit virtual information centers staffed by Sage ERP product experts
- Access downloadable resources to help your business
Please register now. Registration is by invitation only and is complimentary.
An Overview
One of the primary objectives of the Sage ERP Accpac version 6.0
release was to completely revamp and "modernize" the user interface
and underlying technology transforming Sage Accpac from a traditional
Windows application to a modern web-based product.
Through technology Sage and NextLevel
Information Solutions are poised to help you gain a
significant competitive advantage.
Let’s take a look at what you can accomplish
once these building blocks are in place.
Improve Productivity with the Sage ERP Accpac Portal
Call it a desktop or a homepage, the new Accpac Portal is where you begin after launching Accpac.
It embraces the role-based or user-centric design that has become very popular, enabling you to find the
tasks and information relevant to your role quickly and easily. Functionality, screens, options, and reports
displayed are all based on your login and security rights. That means you see more of the stuff you need and
less of the stuff you don’t. And with options to configure "My Shortcuts" and a selection of optional
"Data Portlets", your personal portal is more customizable than ever before.
Accelerate Growth
Sage Data, or "SData" for short, is a new communication and web services protocol
based on the same standards used by major web-based companies like Google, Yahoo, and Amazon.
SData is one of the most significant features of Version 6.0 because it completely changes the technological
infrastructure for supporting mobile access, data synchronization, mashups, and integration across various applications.
And while a detailed discussion of SData is probably too technical for this newsletter,
you’ll find a wealth of information at http://sdata.sage.com.
Features Based on Feedback from You, Our Existing Customers
- The ability to Lock Fiscal Periods by Module
- Increased and Enhanced Reporting with Business Intelligence
- CRM Integration - Quote to Order.
All of these enhancements confirm that the folks at Sage aren’t content with 'good enough.'
In fact, your investment in Sage ERP Accpac is getting more mileage than ever before and moving
forward at a rapid pace to stay ahead of the constant change we see in the market today.
Take a peek at the new Sage ERP Accpac 6.0 with a short 5-minute video preview on YouTube.
Or contact us with your specific questions … and keep an eye out for the official launch of Version 6.0.
2011 Sage Summit July 12-15
Sage Summit is the conference that brings together the entire Sage community—including customers, partners,
product leaders, developers, and more—for a collaborative learning experience. This must-attend event is your
one stop for everything Accpac, and a direct line of communication to Sage Executives and other Accpac users
throughout North America. Save the date for Sage Summit 2011 and make plans to attend.
A number of members of the NextLevel team will be in DC for Summit and we invite and encourage everyone to join us.
If you’re interested in having a meeting with any Sage employees or any representatives from 3rd party solutions,
we’d be happy to facilitate those – and sit in if you’ll let us.
Save the Date
Sage Summit 2011
Gaylord National | Washington DC
Customer Days: July 12–15, 2011
Partner Days: July 10–15, 201
Click here for details: www.sagesummit.com
Year End Tools & Resources
General Recommendations & Tips
Check Data Retention Settings - The number of years that Sage Accpac retains historical data will vary based
on the edition you are running. Plus, each company can be configured to retain fewer years than the maximum allowed.
So it’s a good idea to double check the settings for all company databases so you don’t lose important data when creating
a new fiscal year.
Create a New Fiscal Calendar - Remember, Accpac allows you to begin entering transactions for the new year
without having to close the current year. But you must first create a new fiscal calendar in Common Services before you can
begin entering transactions. Since you can create a new fiscal calendar at any time, it’s a good idea to set it up early
so you’re ready to go when it’s time to enter transactions in the new year.
Data Management - Year end is a good opportunity to "clean house" and determine whether it makes sense to
purge old data you no longer need, create archive databases, or expand your storage capacity.
And be sure to contact us if you’d like assistance in creating a data maintenance plan.
2011 Sage ERP Accpac Payroll Released
The January 2011 tax update has been released, if you need help downloading and installing this important update
please contact your NextLevel support professional. Please note that FICA withholding for the employee portion
has been reduced beginning Jan 2011, so installation of this tax table BEFORE YOUR FIRST PAYROLL OF 2011 IS IMPERATIVE.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind regarding the tax update:
- You don't have to close the year.
- We recommended that you install the tax update as soon as possible and preferably prior to the end of 2010.
- You have to install AND activate the tax update. Before activating, be sure to make a backup.
TIP: Regardless of your fiscal year, you’ll still need to close out payroll for this Calendar year.
Reporting and Inquiries
If at times you find it a challenge in Crystal Reports to make a report or inquiry look exactly how
you’d like or Crystal Reports is too complex to use on your own (without IT support), then you’ll love
the new Adhoc Query in Accpac 6. This simple yet powerful tool allows you to choose, sort, and sum
the exact data you want without technical knowledge or Crystal Report training.
Back Up Your Data
STEP ONE before beginning any year end processing task is to execute a complete back up of your Sage Accpac data.
This point cannot be emphasized enough. Also test the back up to ensure it was successful and the data is readable.
Without a reliable back up, there is no way to restore your system to its original state should you need to undo a
significant year end processing mistake. It’s also a good idea to make another back up after you successfully
complete the year end close.
1099 Processing - The Debate Rages On
The recently-enacted U.S. healthcare bill included a provision requiring businesses to file 1099 forms for
any transactions with suppliers that are cumulatively worth $600 or more over the course of a year.
This includes previously-exempted purchase of goods and services (like office supplies purchased
from Staples for instance) which will dramatically increase the administrative burden and volume of
1099s that will be processed by all small businesses. However the debate rages on over the original
intent of the provision vs. the ultimate impact on business. In fact, several politicians plan to introduce
legislation to kill the new 1099 provision. Stay tuned for changes regarding this important debate throughout 2011.
In the meantime, rest assured that your Sage Accpac system will be updated to ensure compliance, whichever way things go.
New Customer Support Portal
Earlier this year, Sage completely revamped their online support website for Accpac customers which is now located
at customers.sagenorthamerica.com. The customer portal is your one-stop-shop for product updates, a support
knowledgebase, and detailed documents to assist you in closing out the year.
You should have also received a new login and password for the site.
If you didn’t get the new login, you can reach the Portal Support Team by phone at (877) 828-6372 or by email to
customer.portal@sage.com
Sage Accpac Online Community
At Sage Spark, you’ll find free business tools, resources, and a vibrant community where
entrepreneurs network and connect with one another. When you register at Sage Spark (which is FREE),
you’ll get access to free online invoicing tools, industry articles and business tips, a free job board,
and so many other useful tips and resources to help you start or grow your small business.
The Sage Accpac Online Community allows you to connect online with Sage support experts, developers, and other Accpac customers just like you.
You also get access to a wealth of information to guide you through the year end closing process including User Guides, Technical Documents,
Product Updates, and training videos. Go to http://community.sageaccpac.com to sign up
and participate in the conversation!
Important Deadlines and Tax Info (U.S.)
January 31, 2011 - Deadline to issue W-2, 1098, and 1099 forms to employees and independent contractors AND
deadline for filing quarterly payroll & annual sales tax returns.
Depreciation and Section 179 Expense - The Small Business Jobs Act (SBJA) of 2010 increases the Section 179
deduction to $500,000. The definition of "Qualifying Property" has also been expanded under the act.
Click here for details.
Standard Mileage Rate Beginning on January 1, 2011, the standard mileage rate for operating an automobile for business use is 51 cents per mile.
HIRE Act - The HIRE act of 2010 provides tax benefits to small businesses directly related to hiring employees
and writing off investments in equipment.
Click here for details about payroll
processing and tax implications for year end.
Notice for Accpac Version 5.4 Customers
January 2011 will be the final tax update
Earlier this year, Sage notified all Payroll Update Plan (PUP) subscribers that after the 2010 tax year,
Sage ERP Accpac Version 5.4 will no longer be supported. This is particularly important because it means
no additional tax updates will be made available after 2010.
The last Accpac 5.4 Payroll Tax Update for Canadian Payroll and US Payroll will be January 1st, 2011.
Based on recent customer feedback, this will be a full update that includes updated forms as well as tax
table changes provided for 2010 tax filing.
Contact us if you’d like to discuss an upgrade to Sage Accpac Version 5.5 or higher in order to
continue receiving full support and product updates for your system.