HighTower edge:blog

Video Tips: Printing AP Checks by Vendor Name in Sage MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL

2012-02-22T16:10:00.011-06:00

Learn how to print Accounts Payable checks in Sage MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL by watching the video linked below.

Printing AP Checks by Vendor Name (2:04)

Video Tips: Wire Transfers for Sage ERP MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL

2012-01-26T07:21:00.018-06:00

What follows is a feature tour of Sage ERP MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL. These feature tours focus on wire transfers.

Set Up and Enter a Wire Transfer (3:13)

Inquiring on a Wire Transfer (2:05)

Reversing a Wire Transfer (2:19)

Timekeeper for Client Billing

2012-01-10T09:39:00.008-06:00

Traditional methods for capturing billable time on projects can cost your company money. Relying on paper forms, email, and spreadsheets prolongs the data gathering process, introduces errors, and often misses hours and employee expenses that should have been billed. You can overcome these costly shortcomings by implementing a project time-tracking software.

Why is this important?

Getting your invoicing done quickly and accurately is a key to optimal cash flow. The sooner you bill, the sooner your receivables can be available as working capital. Your profitability is a function of this “cash flow velocity.” So it’s vital that your billing processes are as streamlined as possible. Unfortunately, in many organizations this is far from the case. Many struggle with manual methods for submitting and reviewing hours, managing project-related items, coordinating approvals, processing expenses, and much more. These factors impede cash flow, hindering profitability just as much as clients who pay late.

This problem is compounded in many situations because billing depends on capturing the appropriate hours and expenses from multiple employees. Normally, invoices can’t be sent until this information is collected from everyone involved in a project. But people are too often late in submitting their hours, or fail to submit them altogether. It becomes a prolonged effort to collect all the information needed to prepare invoices for sizable projects.

A related problem is billing accuracy. To invoice accurately you need precise information about factors that can vary. For example, different individuals are billed at different rates, or the same individual’s time is billed differently per task. Before invoicing, their hours and rates must be calculated, which can be tedious and slow if done manually. And if any of this data has to be re-entered at any stage, errors can result. Such problems only increase with the number of workers. And what happens if billing is wrong? Contested invoices delay payment, and can erode client confidence and loyalty.

All of these difficulties can be overcome by implementing software that simplifies and centralizes data entry and management. User adoption rises, and information about billable hours, becomes available instantly, making it easy to shorten billing cycles and accelerate cash flow.

http://www.timekeepersoftware.com/

Video Tips: Quick Printing in Sales Order for Sage ERP MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL

2011-12-28T15:04:00.016-06:00

Below is a feature tour of Sage ERP MAS 90, 200 and 200 SQL. These feature tours focus on "quick printing".

Set Up Quick Printing In Sales Order

Quick Printing in Sales Order Entry

Quick Printing in SO Invoice Data Entry

HighTower Earns Prestigious VAR Star Award

2011-12-21T14:02:00.003-06:00

HighTower is proud to announce that is has made Bob Scott's Insights VAR Star list for 2011. The VAR Star list is a selection of 100 mid-market accounting software resellers based on one basic principal as the deciding factor: quality, not revenue. From one-person shops to large, multi-location Value Added Resellers (VARs) have been selected in past years’ and in this year’s rendition of the list.

Read the full press release on the HighTower website.

Multi-Bin v4.4 Service Pack Update

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

A major service pack/update to our Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution enhancement MAS 90 and MAS 200 v4.4 is now available.

The service pack contains many fixes and is recommended for all users of Multi-Bin Advanced Distribution for Sage MAS 90/200 v4.4. The service pack is available on the HighTower website as well as the non-branded Multi-Bin product website for resellers.

If you have third party modifications, you must check with your Master Developer before applying any HighTower service packs.

Before making any upgrades, ensure that:

* You have the latest Sage service packs installed
* You back up your system
* You have read the system requirements

HighTower Holiday Schedule

2011-12-19T09:15:00.000-06:00

HighTower offices will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd in recognition of Christmas and New Years Holidays.

Should you need it, our Emergency Support will be available - the same as it is on weekends and after hours - at 888.583.3000.

For more details, visit our Emergency Support web page.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.

- The HighTower team.

HighTower Earns a Place on Pacesetter List

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-06:00

HighTower has earned a spot on Accounting Today's 2011 Pacesetter list. The list recognizes firms that are ahead of the curve in their thinking and practices. For more information, read the 2011 Technology Pacesetter press release.

HighTower Makes Sage Software's President's Circle

2011-12-15T15:54:00.002-06:00

HighTower made Sage Software's Presidents Circle for fiscal year 2011 (Oct. 1, 2010 - Sept. 30, 2011). To find out more, read the 2011 President's Circle press release.

Are you taking advantage of Section 179?

2011-12-01T13:44:00.002-06:00

How businesses that buy software during the 2011 tax year can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from their gross income

Section 179 for 2011 at a glance:

2011 Deduction Limit - $500,000 (up from $250k previously). Good on new and used equipment, including new software.
2011 Limit on equipment purchases - $2 Million Dollars (up from $800k previously).
“Bonus” Depreciation - 100% (taken after the $500k deduction limit is reached). Note, bonus depreciation is only for new equipment. This can also be taken by businesses that exceed $2 million in capital equipment purchases.

The above is an overall, "simplified" view of the Section 179 Deduction for 2011. An example of Section 179 at work:

What is the Section 179 Deduction?

Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It's an incentive created by the U.S. Government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves.

Limits of Section 179

Section 179 does come with limits - there are caps to the total amount written off ($500,000 in 2011), and limits to the total amount of the equipment purchased ($2,000,000 in 2011). The deduction begins to phase out dollar-for-dollar after $2 million is spent by a given business, so this makes it a true small and medium-sized business deduction.

HighTower Closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24 & 25, 2011

2011-11-23T12:04:00.002-06:00

HighTower offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24 & 25, in recognition of the Thanksgiving Holiday, and will re-open on Monday, November 28 at 8:30 a.m. Central Time.

Should you need it, our Emergency Support will be available - the same as it is on weekends and after hours - at 888.583.3000.

For more details, visit our Emergency Support web page.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

- The HighTower team.

Year End Processes for Sage ERP MAS 90/200

2011-11-19T05:01:00.035-06:00

With year-end approaching fast, it's time to start thinking about year-end processing for payroll, electronic reporting and accounts payable in your Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 system.

Sage has released it's annual year end Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help you navigate these issues. Download the FAQ here. (400k PDF)

The questions addressed in the FAQ include:

Do I need to download the 2011 IRD for AP 1099 Reporting?

Do I need to download the 2011 IRD for Payroll W-2 reporting?

I am running Payroll on Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 v.4.5. Do I need to download the IRD?

Do I need to download the 2011 IRD if I’m using the Federal and State eFiling and Reporting feature?

When will the year-end Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Federal and State eFiling and Reporting updates be available?

When will the year-end Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 be available?

How will the year-end Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 be made available to customers, business partners, or Sage Accountants Network members?

I do not have access to the Internet from my Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 server. How can I obtain the year-end Interim Release Download program update and TTU to install them on my server?

How can I obtain the TTU or IRD if I do not own a current Sage Business Care plan?

I’ve never been to Sage ERP MAS support, and I don’t know if anyone else from my company has either. What do I do to get a logon and access the information I need?

After I download my TTU and IRD, do I install it on my workstation or on my server?

We file Local Withholding Tax on our W-2s, and we’re using Federal and State eFiling and Reporting. What extra steps do I need to take?

What changes were applied to Electronic Reporting?

Previously, I’ve filed employees W-2s through Magnetic Media. Are there any changes?

I was formerly required to file Form 1099s through Magnetic Media but now need to file 1099s through electronic filing using the Internet. What do I need to know?

Where can I find information on how to do year-end processing for any module?

Where can I purchase W-2 and 1099 forms 100% compatible with my Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 software?

I have an Extended Solutions enhancement. Will I need to update it after installing the 2011 Interim Release Download?

I am using Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL v 4.45 and need to file 1099s. What do I need to do?

Does the IRD contain changes to Payroll to support the Cost of Employer-sponsored health coverage reporting?

Does the IRD contain changes to Payroll to support Designated Roth Contributions under Governmental Section 457?

I am running Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 version 4.2 or Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL v 3.74. Is there anything else I need to know regarding Payroll support?

What is new in eFiling and Reporting this year?

Will I be required to print my W-3 on the red, pre-printed form when using Federal and State eFiling and Reporting?

Again, all of the above questions are answered in
Sage's annual year-end FAQ

NOTE: The 2011 Interim Release Download (IRD) and the Q1 2012 Tax Table Update (TTU) will be available from Sage Online on December 20, 2011. As of October 31, 2011, no changes for 1099 reporting are necessary this year, but there are plenty of changes for Payroll and Electronic Reporting.

Sage MAS90 MAS200 Programmer Position

2011-11-03T14:53:00.001-05:00

HighTower is looking for a Sage MAS 90 MAS 200 programmer. Details here http://cb.com/vHti4J.

Sage offers online version of MAS 90

2011-11-01T12:06:00.006-05:00

Sage announced today that their cloud-based, online, software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of MAS 90 will be available November 22, 2011.

Sage ERP MAS 90 Online's $169 monthly base price includes:

Access to all Sage ERP MAS 90 core software modules and latest version of Sage ERP MAS 90 software
Sage Business Care support
Backup services and disaster recovery

The full story is here.

MAS 90/200 4.5 and Integrated Sage Solutions Update

2011-10-31T05:29:00.003-05:00

With the release of Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 version 4.5, Sage provides the following update regarding their integrated solutions.

Sage will continue to provide solutions across the entire enterprise for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 customers, including:

SAGE ABRA HRMS
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.5 will remain compliant with the most recent release of Sage Abra HR, version 10.1, with no new integration points. For additional details, please contact HighTower or your authorized Sage Abra Business Partner.

SAGE ACTIVE PLANNER
Sage Active Planner is now available for Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.5 and 4.4, and will provide customers with the ability to transform a budgeting nightmare into a collaborative budgeting and planning process. Empowering the financial staff with more control, shorter planning cycles and time to focus on continuous performance improvement will help the company realize its strategic goals.

SAGE MAS FIXED ASSETS
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.5 release will use Sage ERP MAS Fixed Assets 2011. The Fixed Asset module will not be compatible with Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.5, to address Fixed Asset Accounting needs, FAS 500 will be available. More details will be provided by Sage in the future.

SAGE SALESLOGIX
Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.5 will use DynaLink 7.1 for the integration to Sage SalesLogix versions 7.5.3. This option is not available for Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL 4.5.

MAS 90 and 200 4.5 ... now with more Accounts Receivable functionality!

2011-09-26T06:59:00.011-05:00

MAS 90 and 200 version 4.5 is shipping now. With this latest version of MAS 90 and 200, you receive more functionality in Accounts Receivable, specifically, National Account Management.

Here's the details:

New features in 4.5 will enable the creation of National Accounts in Accounts Receivable. This type of customer account will provide the ability to establish relationships between the one National Account, typically a parent company, with multiple customer accounts, such as branches and subsidiaries. National Accounts will enable invoicing of the larger company for goods and services provided to multiple locations, each with their own unique customer accounts. For example, these new features
and invoice the National Account, rather than bill the “Sold To” customer account.

And now for the screenshot:

So there you go. Contact HighTower when you're ready to upgrade or if you have questions on this or other features within the new MAS 90 and 200 4.5!

Sage MAS90/200 Tax Table Update Changes Posted

2011-09-20T16:21:00.000-05:00

Sage posted changes to the 2011 Q3 Tax Table Updates incorporating changes for Connecticut withholding and Puerto Rico withholding and Dependent Exemption Maximum Number Allowed increase.

To get the latest Tax Table Updates, log into your Sage Software Online account or contact the HighTower Helpdesk at 888.583.3000.

eBM Demo Videos Available on YouTube

2011-08-31T11:41:00.008-05:00

There is a 5-part video based demo of eBusiness Manager (eBM) for MAS 90 and MAS 200 now available on HighTower's YouTube channel. This is a great first-step training or research resource for those interested in creating an MAS 90 or MAS200 web store.

Part 1: Overview & Customer Options (11:39)

Part 2: Customer Options (continued) (06:25)

Part 3: Setup Options (09:28)

Part 4: Setup Options (continued) (11:02)

Part 5: Adding Inventory, Purchase Process (12:48)

For more information on eBM, visit 4ebm.com or call 888.583.3000.

HighTower Closed on Monday, September 5, 2011

2011-08-29T13:28:00.004-05:00

HighTower offices will be closed on Monday, September 5th in recognition of the Labor Day Holiday, and will re-open on Tuesday, September 6 at 8:30 a.m. Central Time.

Should you need it, our Emergency Support will be available-the same as it is on weekends and after hours-at 888.583.3000. For more details, visit our Emergency Support web page.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

- The HighTower team.

Product Update 6 Approved For All Currently Released HighTower Enhancements

2011-08-29T11:05:00.004-05:00

We have approved all currently released 4.40 HighTower Enhancements for use with Sage Product Update 6 for MAS90/200.

MAS 90 and 200 4.5 ... now with SageCRM!

2011-08-27T08:47:00.012-05:00

MAS 90 and 200 version 4.5 ships September 8. With this latest version of MAS 90 and 200, you receive a FREE SageCRM server and user license!

Here's the details:

4.5 will be compatible with SageCRM 7.1, and each Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 on-plan customer will be eligible to receive a free SageCRM Server license and free single-user license, including Small Business Edition when upgrading to 4.5. Current Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Extended Enterprise Suite customers will also be eligible to receive a free SageCRM user license which will be added to their existing user count when upgrading to 4.5. SageCRM v7.1 will deliver the tools companies need to communicate more effectively, collaborate better internally and compete in today’s marketplace. SQL Express will be allowed to be used to try the free SageCRM user license, but is not compatible or supported with SageCRM when customers are running live data. Both named and concurrent SageCRM licenses will be available in 4.5. For more information on pricing and licensing, please contact HighTower.

The new eMarketing module for SageCRM will deliver all the power of e-marketing software directly through SageCRM for end-to-end e-marketing campaign management. It will enable users to execute high-quality, targeted email marketing and create drip marketing campaigns quickly and easily, automatically delivering email communications to the right people at the right time for maximum impact. Open, click and bounce rates will be automatically tracked, enabling marketers to calculate accurate ROI and deliver hot leads to the sales team. Users will benefit from a simple 3-step wizard to create new e-marketing campaigns with ease and a choice of over 90 templates to get started immediately. Follow-up call lists can then be based on e-marketing responses, closing the loop between email and telesales.

SageCRM v7.1 total campaign management functionality will come with full campaign workflow so organizations can map campaigns to their business processes for consistent execution. It will enable marketing users to execute multi-channel marketing campaigns and then clone those campaigns that have worked the best for easy re-use. This drives marketing-wide collaboration by enabling marketing users to share best practice within teams and re-create campaigns quickly and easily.

SageCRM v7.1 will deliver a seamless calendar management experience thanks to real-time synchronization between SageCRM and Microsoft Exchange, enabling users to access up-to-date appointments, tasks and contacts within SageCRM on their smartphone, laptop or desktop PC for maximum ease-of use and productivity.

SageCRM integration with Microsoft Exchange delivers ease-of-administration as well as a seamless integration experience. Exchange Server integration can be created and synchronization occurs rapidly. System administrators benefit from a single point of entry from where they can manage existing Exchange users and add new users. 7.1 will be compatible with version 2007 and 2010 of Exchange.

Users will be able to create graphical report charts quickly and easily with SageCRM v7.1. Providing at-a-glance business insight, report charts and graphics will now be more visually impactful, making it easy for management and users to see comparisons, patterns, and trends in their data.

Current Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Extended Enterprise Suite customers will need to upgrade to SageCRM 7.0 before installing 7.1. SageCRM 7.0 will be available for download from the Extended Enterprise Suite section on SSO, for those customers when upgrading to 4.5.

So there you go. Contact us when you're ready to upgrade or if you have questions on how exactly SageCRM will work within MAS 90 and 200!

HighTower on Accounting Today's Top VAR List

2011-08-18T13:37:00.008-05:00

Good news! For the seventh consecutive year, HighTower has made Accounting Today's "VAR 100" list. For more information on this or other HighTower awards, visit HighTower's Award page.

Having difficulty finding help for the e-Business Manager (eBM) module?

2011-07-26T10:18:00.007-05:00

A free, online e-Business Manager Resource
HighTower has created a site exclusively dedicated to the e-Business Manager module from Sage Software for MAS 90 and MAS 200. Find out what other EBM users are doing!

www.4ebm.com

Do you need e-Business Manager Hosting Services?
For eBM to work, you need to find a web hosting service provider that will install the Sage DLL's required to make e-Business Manager work. HighTower not only installs the DLL's, but will help you create, customize and maintain your e-commerce website.

Minimum hosting plans that include e-Business Manager re-direction (Bronze plan) costs 24.95 per month, or $274.45 per year. (There is a one month discount if you pay yearly.) This package includes 1Gb of web storage, plenty of room for all your inventory images.

If you would like to partner with HighTower on an e-Business Manager Implementation or modification project. Please contact Santos Rodriguez at 847.674.0081 or email Santos Rodriguez for more details.

Sage MAS 90 and 200 4.4 Product Update 6

2011-07-25T12:39:00.005-05:00

The sixth Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.4 Product Update — 4.40.0.6 — has been available for a couple of weeks now...but what is the benefit of updating your MAS 90 or 200 system?

Simply the ability to...

Save Printer by Workstation for Report Settings and Form Codes

When saving Form Code and Report Settings, Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.4 retains the last printer used by workstation ID. This can be particularly useful in multi-user and multi-location environments where each user wants to print to their specific printer, or where specific printers are used for different types of printing. This feature is available for forms and reports for most Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.4 modules, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Bank Reconciliation, Bill of Materials, Bar Code, Credit Card Processing, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Purchase Order, Return Merchandise Authorization, and Sales Order.

This customer-requested feature adds more flexibility, streamlines workflows, saves time and minimizes errors in your Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 system.

But as always, talk to your reseller before updating your system, especially if you have modifications, extended solutions or 3rd party enhancements!

HighTower Unveils Two New Products at Sage Summit

2011-07-11T14:03:00.012-05:00

Payment Card (Swipe) Authorization for
Sage MAS 90 and 200 Accounts Receivable & Sales Order
The ccEtrust enhancement was made for businesses that want to perform swiped payment card transaction authorizations in Sage MAS 90 or Sage MAS 200 through Sage Accounts Receivable or Sage Sales Order. It enables credit card swiping in the Sage MAS 90/200 Accounts Receivable (AR) and Sales Order (SO) modules, and performs authorizations in a PCI-compliant manner.

The Swipe Card Confirmation Panel, as seen in AR or SO

Requirements:

Sage MAS 90 v4.4 or newer
A Sage Payment Services Merchant Account
One of the following modules:
- Sage Accounts Receivable
- Sage Sales Order

A PCI Authorization SDK for your credit card applications.
Our ccEtrust SDK empowers developers to easily build PCI Authorization into any of their own applications (Sage MAS 90 or 200 not required).Our PCI authorization is provided in the form of a DLL, which empowers applications with easy access to PCI-based authorization routines.

Requirements:

Desktop OS:
- Windows XP (pro) or newer
Server OS:
- Windows server 2003 or newer
Other Requirements:
- Sage Payment Services Merchant Account (MAS 90 not required)

Please contact Santos Rodriguez at 847.674.0081 or email Santos Rodriguez for more details.