Sage 500 continues to deliver a stable user experience for existing clients. Although the underlying technology has aged and significant enhancements are unlikely, clients have not been forced to migrate. Technology has rapidly transformed how businesses operate and how individuals consume technology at work and home. Let's take a look at what's new and different in Sage 500 since our last post.
In addition to critical security updates and general compatibility with Microsoft applications and utilities, usability enhancements were made to AP Pending Voucher Applications, AR Invoice Freight maintenance, GL Accounts Segment expansion, MRP, Purchase Receipt Tickets, Sales Order Entry, and Pick List Selections. For a detailed list of enhancements, refer to the 'What's new in Version 2021' document in the Sage Knowledgebase available with an active Sage 500 Business Care Plan.
The underlying foundation of Sage 500 has not changed since its initial development using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6), a technology tool first released in 1991 that has limited support form Microsoft today. Developers and publishers are not using VB6 to develop new applications, instead, favoring more modern development toolsets. However, Microsoft has publicly stated, through a program called 'It Just Works', that upon a retirement date, Microsoft will support VB6 followed by five years of limited extended support.
At some point, we know that customers on older and unsupported version of Sage 500 will experience incompatibility issues with Microsoft Operating Systems and SQL Databases that will necessitate an upgrade or replacement strategy.
Based on Microsoft’s support of VB6 as above, an end of life decision has not been published. We also know that Microsoft’s support of VB6 extends the life of Sage 500 for at least five more years. However, Sage has not published major new features and its development strategy for Sage 500 is focused on usability enhancements and connected services. This focus provides peace of mind for clients to continue using Sage 500 while encouraging the research of replacement solutions at the client’s pace.
We fully support Sage’s “no forced migration" message, but realize that the pace of technology along with business needs change rapidly. For that reason, we are educating our Customer Success Managers and Consultants to engage with our valued customers and begin talking about short and long-term business management software objectives. We also know that many Sage 500 clients are looking for modern technology solutions with features that include Cloud compatibility, web-based and mobile accessibility, business intelligence capabilities, advanced analytics and seamless upgrades.
Sage 500 support, services and development continues to be a key part of our Sage portfolio offering to our existing clients. In the past year, we have solidified partnerships with 3rd party add-ons to extend the life and functional capabilities for customers that are not ready to replace Sage 500 in the near term including our acquisition of the O2 Process Manufacturing solution for Sage 500.
We’ve also expanded our Sage portfolio offerings to provide multiple migration solution options for our clients to consider. RKL has thoughtfully chosen Sage solutions because of their diverse technology deployment options and purpose-built industry focus, providing options and 'in the Sage family' incentives for our client base.
Rest assured, RKL is committed to your investment with Sage and appreciates the confidence that you have in our team that supports and guides your software strategy.