Questions
& Answers from ISTUG System Awareness Day,
v
Are there known
problems with Line500 Version 5.5?
·
It has to be said that Version 5.5 has gone on
general release with the least number of known bugs … ever !
But like any software release there are a few issues mainly relating to the
German certification processes. Sage will release patches to overcome these in
the next few weeks
v
Is there a list of known problems with V5.5 available?
·
Yes these will be posted on the Sage Support
Bulletin.
v
Does 5.5 include
the documentation for EDI/XML?
·
The documentation for EDI/XML in Version 5.5. is included in the Online Help.
v Do Sage have a Professional Services Organisation for other parts of the world?
·
Outside the
v Why were Sage involved in the case study you presented, and not the Business Partner?
·
It was the customer’s choice. Sage’s primary
sales and support policy is through our accredited Business Partner Channel but
some customers due to the business risk or their own
internal purchasing policy prefer to contract directly with the author. Sage currently support approximately 80
customers directly
Is this option available to everyone?
·
Yes, based on the customer’s strong preference,
especially when an international set-up is involved. Normally there are
limitations such as over 50 users.
v Where would the support contract be in this situation?
·
Again, based on the customer’s preference, a
possible option would be: with the Business Partner in the
v
What are the recommended communication methods when using a
central server across
·
Most would use a central server with Webclient or
VPN.
v Is Sage Line 500 running on Citrix a supported environment?
·
Sage have
not certified the product for this environment. The recommended option would be
Webclient.
v The web client is incompatible with Form Control Extensions, will this be changed?
·
Forms Control Extension capability for the new
client is high on the list of priorities for Version 6 due in Q4 2005. In fact
Sage is looking at a fast track project to make an interim release before this
date. FCE’s will be part of the functionality of the
new client.
v
Will Version 6 include a number of enhancements for
Manufacturing and Supply Chain?
Manufacturing and the Supply Chain are key
strategic areas for investment by Sage Version 6 will include significant
enhancements in this area. The development of these new functional areas is
ahead of plan and again Sage is looking at the feasibility of an interim
manufacturing release prior to version 6.
Questions
& Answers from ISTUG System Awareness Day,
v How many users are still on SCO-UNIX Cisam?
·
Two years ago there were circa 1500 now we have
about 800.
v What is the end of life date for this environment? Please can we have at least 12 months notice?
·
Currently we have no end of life statement for
this base. However, we are focused on trying to upgrade this base before March
2006. We have every intention of doing this by proving the business benefit of
moving rather than declaring and end of life.
v Are there
problems with migrations re Payroll, if the migration does not take place at a
year end?
·
There are no known issues that have been reported
to us for Payroll.
v
When moving to 5.5 are there problems with forms that have
been modified by the user?
·
The user formsets are part of the migration
process, so this should not be a problem. However, where the new Master formsets contain new functionality/new fields – it needs to
be checked whether these should be applied onto the user formsets too. This is
not a trivial task, which need to include a check on the projects switched on.
There is documentation on the Sage website for projects – new functionality
& forms.
v
If we want to use the web client, can we port GUI forms to
the web?
·
Yes, all but Form Control Extensions. There will
be an intermediate release before v6.0 to resolve this. This intermediate release is planned to
become available in Q4 2004.
v
Any comments on the stability of Microsoft SQL versus AIX
for upgrade purposes?
·
Approximately 80% of the upgrades are Windows
based and the majority of new installations are Windows based as well. These
are satisfied users, therefore it should not be an
unstable environment.
v
Are there any added security measures, re confidentiality of
data, for payroll in 5.5?
·
No
v
P14/P60 – when will they be produced on laser printers from
Payroll?
·
There are no current plans for this to be
done. There will be no need to submit a
P14 to the Inland Revenue for payroll 2004/05 if you employee more than 250
employees. This is down to the E-filing functionality. Employees will still need to receive a
printed version and you could possibly use Sage Paperless. The payslips still need to be printed on a dot matrix
printer due to security reasons.
v
Payroll y/e close – how do you see the history?
·
Report Writer – use the pyhist
tables.
v
Sage Personnel System – does anyone use it? Does it only
work with Line100 and only for a limited no. of employees?
·
There is a HR module available from third party
for Line 500. The Sage Personnel system does not work with Line500 payroll.
v
How is an MBE request logged?
·
Nicole James explained the process briefly – log
the request with your Business Partner, they should then be able to give you a
log number from Sage. The request is then analysed by
Sage regarding number of days work involved and, if no more than 10 man days,
will be listed as MBE. This can then be voted upon.
v
What is the Sage day rate for project work?
Approximately £800.