My company is looking at going to MAS90. The base price looks great, but I went into look at "Extended Solutions" on the Sage website, and it seems like many of the things we need are listed there. Does the software need that many modifications to work? Some of them seem pretty normal, like "printing checks in vendor order".
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Looking at purchasing MAS90
- Thread starter ChuckP101
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You should actually document your needs first, then decide how well Mas90, or other systems, meet those needs. Then and only then should price come into play, because until you have done this, you really won't have a good estimate of the price.
I have a fairly complicated excel model that will evaluate Mas90 or any other system. This model lists hundreds of various software features which you rank in importance ranging from 'must have' to 'not needed'. You then indicate if that software meets your needs in this area. At the end the package is given a mathematical rating based on the number of needs met and how well they are met, based on your evaluation of the software.
You could construct something similar to evaluate all the packages you are looking at and compare the scores. This will also help to show management that you have done your homework and avoid some unpleasant surprises down the road.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
I have a fairly complicated excel model that will evaluate Mas90 or any other system. This model lists hundreds of various software features which you rank in importance ranging from 'must have' to 'not needed'. You then indicate if that software meets your needs in this area. At the end the package is given a mathematical rating based on the number of needs met and how well they are met, based on your evaluation of the software.
You could construct something similar to evaluate all the packages you are looking at and compare the scores. This will also help to show management that you have done your homework and avoid some unpleasant surprises down the road.
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
- Thread starter
- #3
I am in the process of doing that, but the problem I have is figuring out what is normal portions of a program. Many of the enhancements that they show are one of a kind, but there are some in there that basic IMHO. Is MAS90 a full featured program, or give me the program and charge for the upgrades???? One of the other programs that I am looking at is Navision. It seems to be soup to nuts out of the box. I know that anything I buy will need modification.
Chuck,
Look for configuation, not modification. These are very different.
Configuration is setting up the software in a specific manner to suit the way you do business such as "Use Lot Control Y/N?". Packages with these of operational choices are designed to work in multiple environments.
Modification indicates that someone has to write code to make the software do something it does not do out of the box.
Navision Axapta is one of the most configuable software packages I have ever seen. It will be lots more expensive than Mas90, but worth it.
If you are seeing what you consider standard functionality listed under 3rd party or extended functionality, that is certainly a major red flag.
Out of curiousity, what package are you using now and why are you looking for an alternate solution?
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
Look for configuation, not modification. These are very different.
Configuration is setting up the software in a specific manner to suit the way you do business such as "Use Lot Control Y/N?". Packages with these of operational choices are designed to work in multiple environments.
Modification indicates that someone has to write code to make the software do something it does not do out of the box.
Navision Axapta is one of the most configuable software packages I have ever seen. It will be lots more expensive than Mas90, but worth it.
If you are seeing what you consider standard functionality listed under 3rd party or extended functionality, that is certainly a major red flag.
Out of curiousity, what package are you using now and why are you looking for an alternate solution?
Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
- Thread starter
- #5
We are using Aplus from Infor Systems. It is AS400 based and we have not upgraded in several years. The biggest question we are faced is upgrade what we have or buy new. There are some holes in our current software. In addition, we feel that going to a PC based solution would give us more flexability down the road. On the other side, the AS400 is so stable, that there is fear of change.
upgrade vs buy new is the base question.
I need divine guidence, could you present me the perfect answer in my dreams, or maybe talk to me from the mirror when I shave in the morning.............LOL
upgrade vs buy new is the base question.
I need divine guidence, could you present me the perfect answer in my dreams, or maybe talk to me from the mirror when I shave in the morning.............LOL
accordionman
IS-IT--Management
What size/volume is your user base? We looked at MAS90, wound up going with MAS200. Program is pretty configurable, the navigation is intuitive and the help files actually are quite good. Like any package you'll want some training on the technical parts, but for basic out-of-the-box functionality, it's not bad.
That said, I agree wholeheartedly with getting your requirements down first; a new system gives you the chance to re-examine your business processes, if you aren't in too big of a rush to implement.
That said, I agree wholeheartedly with getting your requirements down first; a new system gives you the chance to re-examine your business processes, if you aren't in too big of a rush to implement.
just going to ask the same thing as accordionman---
MAS90 is great for low user/volume--with the exception of reporting speed via Crystal Reports (much slower in MAS90). MAS200 is much better for the higher volume/user count.
And MAS90 is pretty good straight out of the box--very easy to navigate/user friendly. The "modules" that you pick for your specific system should be hashed out with a good MAS90 reseller/support person. Hopefully there's one where you are, because they'll help tremendously (though, they are sales people, so keep that in mind). But the common backbone modules included and/or added on:
L/M: Library Master
G/L: General Ledger
A/R: Accounts Receivable
S/O: Sales Order
A/P: Accounts Payable
I/M: Inventory Management
P/O: Purchase Order
And Crystal Reports is included I believe.
e-commerce, RMA and Payroll are other common modules.
If you can deduce (generally) what you're doing in your current accounting system relative to the MAS90 modules and then what's missing before you meet with a Sage Reseller/Support, you'll really get a lot out of their pitch. It's also good to figure this out to get a general idea of how migration would work--which could be a huge problem--or pretty slick. Also, aside from the base modules, almost all can be added on later--if you find the use for them.
There are a couple issues that are also important--server platform being one. They really pushed towards Windows Servers, but Netware is supported (for MAS90). I think they're discontinuing the support for unix based (solarius) systems. There are rumors they'll release a Linux-ok version but I'm not sure (and MAS200 is SQL based).
MAS90 is great for low user/volume--with the exception of reporting speed via Crystal Reports (much slower in MAS90). MAS200 is much better for the higher volume/user count.
And MAS90 is pretty good straight out of the box--very easy to navigate/user friendly. The "modules" that you pick for your specific system should be hashed out with a good MAS90 reseller/support person. Hopefully there's one where you are, because they'll help tremendously (though, they are sales people, so keep that in mind). But the common backbone modules included and/or added on:
L/M: Library Master
G/L: General Ledger
A/R: Accounts Receivable
S/O: Sales Order
A/P: Accounts Payable
I/M: Inventory Management
P/O: Purchase Order
And Crystal Reports is included I believe.
e-commerce, RMA and Payroll are other common modules.
If you can deduce (generally) what you're doing in your current accounting system relative to the MAS90 modules and then what's missing before you meet with a Sage Reseller/Support, you'll really get a lot out of their pitch. It's also good to figure this out to get a general idea of how migration would work--which could be a huge problem--or pretty slick. Also, aside from the base modules, almost all can be added on later--if you find the use for them.
There are a couple issues that are also important--server platform being one. They really pushed towards Windows Servers, but Netware is supported (for MAS90). I think they're discontinuing the support for unix based (solarius) systems. There are rumors they'll release a Linux-ok version but I'm not sure (and MAS200 is SQL based).
Clarification regarding podunk411's post:
MAS90 and MAS200 use exactly the same client side driver for Crystal Reports. In a LAN the reporting speeds will be the same. MAS 200 4.10 has implemented a server side driver that will significantly increase reporting speeds over a VPN but probably won't increase performance over a LAN.
Unix support was discontinued years ago.
There are no plans in the works for a Linux version of MAS.
MAS 200 has an SQL version but the most widely used version (MAS 200 Client Server)uses the same Providex database as MAS 90.
MAS90 and MAS200 use exactly the same client side driver for Crystal Reports. In a LAN the reporting speeds will be the same. MAS 200 4.10 has implemented a server side driver that will significantly increase reporting speeds over a VPN but probably won't increase performance over a LAN.
Unix support was discontinued years ago.
There are no plans in the works for a Linux version of MAS.
MAS 200 has an SQL version but the most widely used version (MAS 200 Client Server)uses the same Providex database as MAS 90.
chrisp909
MAS90 and MAS200 use exactly the same client side driver for Crystal Reports. In a LAN the reporting speeds will be the same. MAS 200 4.10 has implemented a server side driver that will significantly increase reporting speeds over a VPN but probably won't increase performance over a LAN.
I should have clarified, MAS200 SQL version (from what i've seen) is much faster with reports than MAS90 (or MAS200).
MAS90 and MAS200 use exactly the same client side driver for Crystal Reports. In a LAN the reporting speeds will be the same. MAS 200 4.10 has implemented a server side driver that will significantly increase reporting speeds over a VPN but probably won't increase performance over a LAN.
I should have clarified, MAS200 SQL version (from what i've seen) is much faster with reports than MAS90 (or MAS200).
In terms of speed the ranking is:
MAS200 Client Server non-SQL - fastest in processing speed and fewest data corruption problems.
MAS90 - a file server version, slower in processing speed and more data corruption problems.
MAS200 SQL - Slowest in processing by far. Very fast reporting times.
As far MAS500 while it is flexible and fast it is also anywhere from two to three times the price. Plus it is not as full featured as MAS200. For example it is not possible to store the credit card number for A/R customers.
MAS200 Client Server non-SQL - fastest in processing speed and fewest data corruption problems.
MAS90 - a file server version, slower in processing speed and more data corruption problems.
MAS200 SQL - Slowest in processing by far. Very fast reporting times.
As far MAS500 while it is flexible and fast it is also anywhere from two to three times the price. Plus it is not as full featured as MAS200. For example it is not possible to store the credit card number for A/R customers.
SeattleJohn
Programmer
BigLouie would be right about about the storing the CC # in MAS 500 in a standard field. However MAS 500 through it's customizer allows for basically unlimited additional fields to be added to all of the header tables. Therefore it is easy to add a new field for credit card number.
I would also say that MAS 500 has features that MAS 90/200 doesn't have and of course vice versa. Peachtree has features neither one has also. Even Quickbooks has features none of the 3 above have.
I would also say that MAS 500 has features that MAS 90/200 doesn't have and of course vice versa. Peachtree has features neither one has also. Even Quickbooks has features none of the 3 above have.
Be careful about creating a credit card field. In MAS 200 the credit card field is encrypted giving it much more protection against a possible hack. An unencrypted field is more vulnerable to exposure. Does anyone know if you create a custom field in MAS500 if you can give it an encryption property?
SeattleJohn
Programmer
You can create an encrypted field but I don't know of a way to do it through customizer (at least that's elegant). For a seemless way you'd probably need to use the SDK. Basically you'd add a new field and when it gets stored use an encryption routine. You'd have to unencrypt on the way back and you wouldn't be able to report on it (unless you knew the encryption routine).
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