Sage 1000 Retirement

1. Sage 1000 Retirement – Company using Sage 500/1000 Time to Panic? No. Time to take control.
   
   1. Why? The Sage 1000 will not be supported by Sage after 31/12/24 but your reseller/business partner will not desert you.  Nor will Defacto Solutions nor other third-party developers desert you. Sage 1000 will continue to work on SQL 2019 until 2029.
   2. Do we advocate putting your head in the sand and waiting until 2029?  No of course not, but we advocate taking your time, doing your due diligence, and reviewing the ERP Market to find the best solution for your company.
   3. So what timeline would we recommend?
   1. 2024 – Start the Process of a smooth transition under your control to a solution that truly meets your current and mid-term future needs
   2. Begin by creating a new ERP Selection Team comprising of Key Management and Key Users, and allow them time to work. Task them with: –
      
      1. Drawing up a list of key business functions your new ERP Solution needs to address today and in the mid-future
      2. Identify areas within those functional processes where you believe the current ERP does not truly meet your needs
      3. Identify process areas where you believe your business would derive immediate benefit. Could any of these be addressed by deploying new solutions standalone or integrated to your existing Sage 1000 and then transferred to a new ERP?
      4. Do your due diligence and investigate the ERP market
      1. Speak to your reseller, they know your business and are best placed to recommend the best fit Sage Solution – Sage X3, Sage 200 or Sage Intacct
      2. What other ERP solutions are prevalent in your sector? Don’t be scared of new software using latest technology – your next implement can be a fresh start
      3. Who is prepared to spend time with you understanding your business?  This is a major decision for your business so ensure you devote the necessary internal resources to make this decision and that this is matched by your potential business partner consultant teams whether that is your existing Sage Business Partner or another software Business Partner
2. By the End of 2024 – Draw up a shortlist, include at least 3 central ERP solutions to evaluate and remember in the ERP market today creating your own ‘Best of Breed’ solution comprising of the solutions that best meet your needs integrated together has never been easier. All the top solutions boast comprehensive Application Integration Connectors, so you don’t need to pick a “Solution which offers 100% coverage” solution.  Identify specialist solutions for your market that will benefit your business and find out who is willing to integrate freely. This will be your system.
3. By the middle of 2025 – Enable the ERP Selection Team the time to carefully consider each of the solutions on the shortlist. Create a checklist of functions the solution needs to perform and ask each member of the Team to score these in demonstrations. Pay particular attention to what you see, when told it can be configured ensure you ask if this will incur additional cost. Ask the same as if extra software is required. After each meeting with potential suppliers: –
   
   1. Immediately Conduct a full review and document the findings of the entire Selection Team. It is very easy to confuse ERP solutions if these meetings are missed and demonstrations from  potential suppliers follow each other quickly.
   2. Allow your team 6 months to arrive at a preferred supplier with whom you will conduct a deep dive to ensure you have an accurate project budget and project plan. Keep your second choice close and discard the third.
4. By the end of 2025 – Have negotiated final contracts with your chosen supplier ready to commence the new ERP project in 2026.
5. By the end of 2026 or early 2027 – Be ready to go live on your new ERP.
6. Naturally, Sage will want you to pick a Sage replacement Sage 200, Sage X3 or Sage Intacct. All are excellent software products, but they are not the only software products available, and the time scales to decide may not be aligned with your own.

Many people will say that they do not have the time for all of this and run the business. It is better to employ temporary staff to assist and cover the key staff involved in selecting a solution that truly meets the business needs than employing consultants to implement a system they will never use in anger.

Another point of note. Do not let your ERP Solution stand still while you evaluate the replacement systems, your competitors who were lucky enough not to be using a solution that became end of life will continue developing, so at the end of your project you may still be behind them. Find solutions that can be either run alongside your current solution or be integrated to it. Defacto Solutions specialises in Sage 1000 integration as do many resellers, so explore this and don’t stand still.

In an IT review meeting during 2023 when discussing a new piece of software to integrate with their newly selected ERP the Chief Executive asked if they could integrate with the current Sage 1000. Everyone was a little confused until it was explained that although it would cost more to integrate to both solutions, when the new solution went live more than 50% of the workforce would not see any difference, so the go live support process would be simplified.

Finally, to share a piece of advice I was given may years ago by a former boss ‘don’t bother with reference visits, you are never given a realistic one’ trust your own instincts. In my working life I have been in 3 Selection Teams and have never yet attended a reference visit.

Five Reasons we chose New Business over Old Business and gradual decline. 

1. Personal Growth and Development – Embracing opportunities, even in the face of challenges or setbacks, fosters personal growth and development. By persisting through difficult times and seizing new opportunities, you expand your skills, knowledge, and resilience. Each experience, whether successful or not, contributes to your learning and self-improvement, ultimately empowering you to overcome future obstacles with greater confidence and capability.
2. Achievement of Goals and Dreams – Pursuing opportunities aligns with your aspirations and goals, driving you closer to realising your dreams. When you choose to persevere rather than give up, you maintain momentum toward your objectives and increase the likelihood of success. Whether it’s advancing in your career, starting a business, or pursuing a passion project, seizing opportunities enables you to make progress and achieve meaningful milestones along your journey.
3. Expanded Possibilities and Innovation – Embracing opportunities opens doors to new possibilities and sparks innovation. By remaining open-minded and adaptable, you uncover creative solutions, alternative pathways, and unexpected opportunities for growth and success. Embracing change and exploring unfamiliar territory can lead to breakthroughs, discoveries, and advancements that propel you forward and create positive change in your life and beyond.
4. Resilience and Persistence – Choosing opportunity over giving up cultivates resilience and persistence in the face of adversity. Rather than succumbing to challenges or setbacks, you demonstrate grit and determination by pressing forward and seeking out new opportunities for improvement and advancement. This resilience enables you to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, and emerge stronger and more resilient than before.
5. Fulfilment and Satisfaction – Embracing opportunities brings a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction derived from pursuing your passions, making a difference, and realising your potential. By choosing to persevere and seize opportunities, you experience a sense of purpose and accomplishment that enriches your life and contributes to your overall well-being and happiness. Whether it’s personal growth, professional success, or making a positive impact on others, pursuing opportunities allows you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

In summary, choosing opportunity over giving up empowers you to grow, achieve your goals, innovate, build resilience, and experience fulfilment, ultimately leading to a more rewarding and purposeful life.