CRM UK - the official blog of the CRM specialists at TSG

Comparing Sage 50 and Sage 200: 10 Reasons to Move (or Not to Move)

If you’re choosing between Sage 50 and Sage 200, or thinking of moving from one to the other, here's a summary of a new knowledge base article on the Concentrix website: Comparing Sage 50 and Sage 200: 10 Reasons to Move (or Not to Move).

There are pro’s and con’s to each application. If you compare the two products, the choice between Sage 50 and Sage 200 comes down to your business processes and business requirements.

10 points you should consider if you’re choosing between the two are:

1) Number Of Users - Past, Present and Future

Sage 50 is based on a proprietary Sage database. This limits the number of users and the amount of data the software can store. Sage 200 is based on Microsoft SQL Server database which has been tested with up to 50 users.

2) Number of Transactions

The Sage 50 database has a limited number of transactions it can hold without archiving them (about 100,000 transactions). Sage 200 database doesn't have a transaction limit.

3) Transactions and Foreign Currencies

Sage 50 offers limited foreign currency functions. If you process frequent foreign currency transactions, you'll find the Sage 200 functionality far more efficient than Sage 50, and far more user-friendly.

4) Reporting, Analysis and Business Intelligence

Reporting, analysing business performance, trend analysis and anomaly spotting is, much quicker, easier and enables more depth in Sage 200 compared with Sage 50. Even if the standard reporting functionality with Sage 200 isn't powerful enough for you, the Sage 200 Business Intelligence module offers even deeper, more flexible analysis.

5) Open and Closed Accounting Periods

Sage 200 allows open and closed accounting periods. By comparison, Sage 50 only works on open periods, which can lead to users waiting to post transactions at month end.

6) Cost Centres and Departments

Sage 50 offers a single level nominal ledger structure. This keeps things simple, but in comparison with Sage 200 only enables a limited analysis of income and expenditure.

7 ) Multiple Warehousing

You can set up stock items using Sage 50, but only record one stock holding value against each stock item. Sage 200 supports multiple warehouses and can attach them against stock items.

8) Batch Numbers and Serial Numbers

Sage 50 does not allow recording of batch or serial numbers. Sage 200 enables full batch or serial number recording and allocation.

9) Sales Order Processing

Sage 200 increases efficiency, accuracy and convenience of sales order processing compared with Sage 50. Sage 200 records sales orders automatically, and enables "back to back" purchase orders.

10) Prices and Discounts

If you have a variety of pricing, say for different target markets or customers, or similarly different discounting schemes, you may find Sage 50 limiting. Compare this with Sage 200, which has a price matrix within the Sage 200 Commercials module.

For more details comparing Sage 50 and Sage 200, please see the full article here. Meanwhile if you need further guidance, software demonstrations or any other information, don't hesitate to contact Concentrix.

Software to keep your data safe – for free!

While many organisations are aware of the importance of backing up their data, few people ever take this practice which is so common in the office environment and implement it within their home.

However, storing important personal documents and precious photos in one place without backup is a risky strategy, especially as they are often irreplaceable. The harsh reality is that people don’t always think about backing up personal files until the damage has already been done.

Implementing GFI Backup 2009 Home Edition means that you no longer have to worry about loosing your files if your hard disk fails or a virus wipes out your data.

And the good news?

GFI have made Backup 2009 available completely free of charge! To download the software please click here.

As specialists in CRM, Accounting & Business Management software Concentrix provide a wide variety of security products to keep your data and systems safe.

For information about GFI Backup Security Products, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

 

Concentrix Membership Management System

For every club, its members are its most important asset. However, processing memberships can be time consuming and often there is a long paper trail involved. What’s more, once a member, an individual may want to check their membership status and be kept informed about developments within the club. In the past this has been a time consuming task, as it has meant office staff spending weeks processing requests.

These problems can now become a thing of the past. Concentrix has worked in association with sports clubs and sporting bodies to develop an extremely effective, highly customisable Membership Management System.
As a CRM specialist, providing the best in breed CRM solutions including Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM and FrontRange GoldMine, Concentrix has created the membership management solution based on Sage CRM. Sage CRM is a globally recognised, powerful and flexible CRM system used by thousands of businesses and organisations throughout the UK.

Concentrix has adapted Sage CRM to facilitate the needs of sporting clubs so that they can:

• Manage Club and Individual members along with events, training and payments
• Follow the participation of individuals throughout their involvement in sport
• Provide a self-service website to allow members to login from home and access the service at their convenience.
• Find and access the right information quickly.

Key Features and Benefits of the Concentrix Membership Management System include:
• Comprehensive, web-based membership management
• Ideal for clubs, associations and sporting bodies
• Robust, reliable solutions based on Sage CRM
• Customised to meet the precise needs of your organisation
• Automates all key membership processes
• Full website integration enables online booking, membership renewals, and information updates
• Secure administration of subscriptions, finance, transactions, events, courses, awards
• Eliminates time-consuming and error-prone paper or spreadsheets
• Unlimited headroom for growth
• Easy control of different membership levels, e.g. individual, group, club and corporate
• Enhances communications through news, updates, and communication tracking
• Easy to use, intuitive system

The system will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your respective sport, through increasing the consistency of member information as well as access to it. It will also enable you to quickly analyse, manage and synchronise your activities across all points of contact. What’s more, although there is a basic framework which fits all organisations, it can be customised to provide as much depth as you require.

For more information about Membership Management systems, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected].

Keep your Company’s data safe with End Point Security

While most companies have processes in place to protect them from external threats such as viruses, few are protecting themselves from ever prominent internal threats.

The increased development and availability of portable storage devices such as USB’s and DVD’s means it is becoming easier and easier for individuals to copy copious amounts of confidential client information, take it with them when they leave a company and use it to their own personal advantage. Data leakage is a serious problem for organisations around the world and can have a serious negative impact on the profitability of an organisation. However it can be prevented.

Concentrix is now providing Endpoint security software from GFI. Endpoint security essentially enables you to prevent harmful data leakage by giving administrators the ability to control user activity.

For more information about security for your accounting or CRM systems, or any other security products provided by Concentrix, contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Complete Security from Concentrix

Without doubt hardware, software and network security is now one of the biggest challenges organisations face. Due to the proliferation of email and internet use, viruses can spread around the world in a matter of hours. However, most organisations are aware of the risks posed by external threats and have measures in place to combat them. But, as a direct result of the emphasis being on combating external threats, very often, the internal threat is either not considered or is forgotten. However, in the current environment there has been a significant increase in the threat from internal sources – the most common of which is Data Leakage.

According to Ponemon 59% of people who move jobs, either voluntarily or for other reasons have admitted to taking confidential company information with them on a portable device such as a USB’s or DVD’s. This is something which organisations need to address as it has the potential to significantly impact on profitability.

Concentrix supplies security solutions from GFI, Sophos and Watchguard and our product agnostic approach ensures that you get the solution which is right for your organisation. Concentrix can supply: • Full security, anti-virus and firewalls
• Anti-spam
• Back-up
• Data leakage

For more information about CRM and accounting system security please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500

UK Pegasus software users - an offer from Concentrix

Concentrix, a long-standing, fully accredited Sage business partner is offering Pegasus software users:

»     50% discount when you move to Sage 200

»     Free data transfer

»     Free business assessment

Sage 200, released earlier this year, is the next generation of Sage software. It’s a fully integrated business management solution which helps organisations improve each stage of their business processes. What’s more, it’s been written from the ground up using the latest ‘.net’ technology. So, if you’ve ever thought:

»     “I need software that’s stable, fast and easy to use”

»     “I want straightforward, fair-priced user licensing”

»     “I want a powerful business management solution that delivers rapid ROI”

... then it's worth thinking about about Sage 200!

Concentrix is a leading UK business management, accounting and CRM software specialist. We provide a full range of professional services, from system implementation and configuration to training, maintenance, support, hardware and IT.

To take advantage of this offer (we’re running it for a limited time only), to find out more about Sage 200 or to arrange a free demo, please email [email protected]

Sage 50 users - find out if Sage 200 should be your next step

If you use Sage 50 software, have you ever wished it could do more? Sage 50 is one of the most popular accounting solutions in the UK, but it does have limitations.

If your business has grown, or you're finding Sage 50 restricting, it may be time to look at the next generation of Sage software: the Sage 200 Business Management suite. And if you're wondering whether it's time your business should be moving up to Sage 200, we’d like to invite you to join us for a free Sage 200 seminar.

What is Sage 200?
Sage 200 is the next generation of Sage software. It’s a fully integrated business management solution which helps organisations improve each stage of their business processes. As well as having strong accounting and finance functions, Sage 200 modules are specifically designed for a variety of business processes including project accounting, CRM, construction, wholesale and retail, bill of materials and manufacturing. 

Join Concentrix for a free Sage 200 seminar
Concentrix and Sage are running a free seminar and workshop for Sage 50 (and other) software users who may be considering Sage 200. So, if you would like to find out whether Sage 200 can improve your business, please join us for a FREE seminar:

Event: The Next Generation of Sage Software: Sage 200 - 2009

Date: Thursday 9^th July 2009

Time: 10.00 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. (registration 9.30 a.m.)

Venue: Best Western Yew Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DF

How to book

To book a place or for further information, please take a look at our events page, or go direct to our online booking form. Alternatively email [email protected] with your details, or call Concentrix on 01509 410 500.

Please note that for free entry, parking and refreshments, we need you to register for this event before 6^th July 2009.

About Concentrix

Concentrix is a leading UK business management, accounting and CRM software specialist. We’re a fully accredited Sage Business Partner, a certified Sage Developer and official Sage Customer Development Centre.

 

Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM - a great success.

Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 provides an alternative for companies who need a fully integrated, on-demand, customer relationship management (CRM) system which doesn’t cost a fortune or take a copious amount of time to implement Concentrix has found that the hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution is ideal for small to medium sized organisations for a number of reasons including:

·         Low initial set-up costs

·         Quick to get running

·         Excellent security - using the latest data encryption techniques

·         Complete integration with Microsoft Outlook

With hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Concentrix holds all of your software and data on their servers. Therefore, they take responsibility for the running and maintenance of the system leaving the client free to concentrate on more business critical activities.

Concentrix provides their customers with a free thirty-day trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and this has had a significant impact on the success they have had with the solution.  The trial enables clients to really get a feel for the hosted solution and find out for themselves how easy it is to use. In addition, once the trial has ended it is simply a case of flicking a switch to turn what was a demonstration into a fully functioning CRM system, which is paid for on a monthly basis.

Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM is in essence a fast track CRM solution which gives organisations a CRM solution without the need to worry about maintenance. The solution is ideal for small to medium sized organisations, particularly those with limited IT resources as well as those who need a lower set-up cost, less risk and quick implementation.

For more information about hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM, or to arrange your free 30 day trial, contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email

[email protected].

CRM Selection Tool Updates

Due to recent updates in some of the CRM software included in our CRM selection tool (mainly the new  features of GoldMine Premium 8.5), we've updated the tool on our website so that it takes into account the various new functions and improved software specifications.  (OK, it looks the sames, but the results are different!)

If you haven't seen the CRM software selection tool before, it's for use as a quick guide to help you choose the most appropriate CRM software solution for your business needs. Please note, the tool is only for use as a guide - for a full analysis of your requirements, please contact Concentrix and talk to one of our CRM experts.

Free Seminar July 2009: The Next Generation of Sage Software

Concentrix is holding a free seminar based around the key product in the next generation of Sage software: the Sage 200 suite. Being held in Kegworth, Derbyshire, on 9^th July, the seminar will show how Sage software has progressed far beyond the accounts software Sage is perhaps best known for, and how the next generation of their flagship mid-market product can develop businesses, empower employees and give companies significant competitive advantage.  

Sage 200 – 2009 was released at the end of January 2009. The fully integrated business management solution helps organisations improve each stage of their business processes, and is already causing a major stir in the mid-market ERP arena. 

‘The Next Generation of Sage Software’ will look closely at how Sage 200 is used to improve work flow, effectiveness and efficiency throughout businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to:

- Understand how Sage 200 improves organisational efficiency

- See the latest tools, features and developments in Sage 200 – 2009

- Talk directly to software experts from Sage and Concentrix

- Take part in ‘hands-on’ demonstrations of the software

- Ask questions about any aspect of Sage software

Concentrix is running the seminar to enable attendees to see how Sage offers so much more than just accounting software, and gain a greater understanding of how Sage 200 – 2009 really works.

To attend the seminar, it is essential to register with Concentrix before the event (free parking, refreshments and free admission will only be available to attendees who have pre-registered).

To register or for further information, visit the events section of the Concentrix website, email [email protected] or call Concentrix on 01509 410500.