Business software is a crowded market. Its players are changing all the time so it’s no wonder myths are common.
One of the big questions is around Sage 200 and whether it’s outdated. But as a company who have been working with Sage for the past 10 years, and who are continuing to be involved in its future development, we’d like to humbly argue for the other side.
In this article, we highlight the reasons why companies still choose Sage and how they continue to stay ahead in the industry.
The Evolution of Sage Software
Sage 200 began as two separate pieces of software: Sage Line 100 and Sage MMS. They represented a complete line of accounting features for mid-sized businesses, meaning they were a natural choice if you had a large number of transactions or users.
Though the functionality of these have now been folded into Sage 200, that’s not the only evolution that there’s been. As Sage has grown, it has launched more products that provide for businesses of all sizes, with products such as Sage 50 and Sage Intacct.
Addressing Modern Business Needs
Flexible and scalable
Sage 200 recognises that successful businesses are never static. Yet, you probably don’t have the finances to invest in new software every financial year, which is why Sage 200 grows with you.
It’s made up of core financials modules and optional extras you can add when you need them. And the deployment is flexible too – letting you collaborate in real time across applications and departments.
Integration as standard
One way Sage has kept up with the requirements of modern businesses is through its integrations. Many of these are available in Sage’s Marketplace, but one of its most useful integrations is included with the software itself.
Sage 200 offers integration with Microsoft Outlook 365, Word 365, and Excel 365 – letting you access emails, edit files and build customisable templates, directly in Sage 200.
Customisation Options
Accounting software that can’t fit a users needs is never destined to last long. Sage 200 is easy to customise and we’re not just talking about the modules.
You can also change how your reports appear depending on who sees them, making it so that different members of your team can focus on the metrics that matter to them. Plus, if you need specific functions for industries, Sage has that too, whether it’s Manufacturing, CRM, or Automation.
Advantages Over Competitors
Sage software also has a number of advantages over other accounting software options. Sage offers more than just the core accounting features, allowing you to do more with accessible support. Let’s take a look at how it compares to other options in the market:
Sage v Quickbooks
| Features | Sage | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Core cloud accounting features | ✓ | ✓ |
| Telephone support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audit trails | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited users | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited transactions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced views for accountants and bookkeepers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Built-in GDPR compliance | ✓ | ✗ |
Sage v Xero
| Features | Sage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Core cloud accounting features | ✓ | ✓ |
| Telephone support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Submit CIS returns for free | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited chart of accounts | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited transactions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Audit trails | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced views for accountants and bookkeepers | ✓ | ✗ |
(If you’re looking to migrate to Sage, we have an expert team ready to understand your needs and demonstrate how Sage could work for you and your business).
How Sage Stays Ahead in the Industry
Take one look at our Sage resources, and you’ll see that Sage updates their software regularly. What’s more, these releases don’t happen in isolation from its users. The Sage 200 Ideas Portal lets users submit ideas for improvements, and upvote those made by others.
Its evolution is constant and is being directly impacted by the people that use it, meaning its features will always suit your needs, however much they change.
On top of that bedrock of reliability, you can also be sure that Sage is also actively investing in new technologies, with a major focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Sage is leading the way with an AI-first approach across their software range with this being strictly based on their own set of AI and data ethics principles; instead of a third-party.
So, is Sage outdated? Well, it certainly has a heritage and many years of development, but that shouldn’t be confused for old. Sage 200 has many features that make it an invaluable tool for businesses wanting to invest in their future. This flexibility, combined with its user-centric approach, makes it a great option for a modern company.
If you would like to discuss Sage 200 further, please use the enquiry form or you can call us directly on 01332959008.
