Stephen Smith's Blog

Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all had a good holiday. Over the past year this blog has had quite a few postings to do with Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A and the new Web Based technology platform that it is based on. Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A has now been released. It has been available for download for a couple of weeks now. In this posting I wanted to address a number of questions I’ve been receiving as well as try to put to rest some misconceptions that seem to be out there (mostly to do with the transition from VB to Web).

Does Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A become a 100% full web based solution? No – this is the first step in that journey. With this release we have the technology foundation, the new web based portal, the new dashboard, the new Inquiry tool along with the web based screens that make up Quote to Orders. All the other accounting screens are still the VB screens similar to 5.6A.

When Will Sage ERP Accpac be 100% fully web based? Version 6.2 which is estimated for release at the end of calendar 2012. With this release the entire product will have a web based option, including all accounting modules and options products. However version 6.1 which is estimated to ship at the end of 2011 will have all the major modules Web based including GL, AP, AR, IC, OE and PO.

As Web Screens are released will the VB screens disappear? No. You will still be able to run the VB screen from the original Accpac desktop. As Web Screens are completed they will take the place of the VB screens in the new Web Portal, but the original VB screens are still installed, supported and accessed from the original desktop.

How long will the VB screens be supported? At least through 6.2A, beyond that it will depend on market demand. If everyone moves to the web quickly then that will be it. But if it takes time to move customizations and such, then you will have that time.

Is SageERP Accpac 6.0A SaaS? No. This is an on-premise installed product. You can install it in the cloud, but this is still essentially on on-premise install, just with a remote server.

When will there be a true SaaS version of Accpac? After we have a number of accounting modules Web based then we will look to do a SaaS deployment through AccpacOnline (ie after 6.1 or early 2012).

If I don’t deploy the web components, why should I upgrade to 6.0? There is the lock fiscal periods by module feature that is used by both. Plus there are many bug fixes.

Why should I deploy the Web components? You will get the new portal, dashboards and inquiry tool. Plus this will prepare you for 6.1A. If you get the web components going then installing 6.1A will be very easy since you will have the infrastructure all deployed.

If the product is web deployed why do I need workstation setup? Until the VB accounting screens are moved to the Web in 6.1 or 6.2, we are running the current VB screens from the Portal. The only data entry screens in the new Web technology for 6.0A are the Quote to Order screens run from inside SageCRM.

Why is there an ActiveX control in the new Portal? This is required to run the VB UI screens. This will be removed once all the VB screens are moved to the Web.

Can I run the Portal for remote users? Only for the new Web parts. The VB screens will not run remotely with this technology, Workstation Setup is required. This will be more realistic starting with 6.1A.

Can I use browsers other than IE? The only supported Browsers are Internet Explorer 7 and 8. You can use Firefox, Safari or Chrome but you can’t run the VB screens from these Browsers (since they don’t support ActiveX controls). The CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are optimized for IE and will have many rendering glitches with the other browsers (this will be fixed for 6.1A).

Does the new Web Portal use a Lanpak? No. Logging on to the new Web Portal, seeing the dashboard, drilling down to reports from the dashboard, accessing help and using the Inquiry tool does not use a lanpak. However you will use a lanpak the first time you run an accounting screen. The idea is to promote the use of Accpac in the Enterprise outside of the accounting department.

Do the Quote to Order Screens use a Lanpak? No. You just need the SageCRM User count to sign onto SageCRM, then no further Lanpaks are required.

Do I require a new server for the web parts? Depends. Often people already have a good file server that is being under-utilized, you may be able to use this additionally as your web server. If you are already running SageCRM, then this server will probably be ideal as the Accpac Web server also. But if you are running local installs and Pervasive workgroup and have no server, then you will need to get one.

Where can I see a demonstration of Sage ERP Accpac V6.0? You can view a short 5 minute overview video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYUErIxYiPg. You can also view short, detailed videos of each new feature at: http://www.youtube.com/user/SageAccpacDoc.

Where can I learn more about what’s new in Sage ERP Accpac V6.0? You can visit a dedicated website with details on the V6 release: http://sageerpaccpac6.com/.

In addition, Sage University (http://www.sageu.com/accpac) offers a FREE anytime learning course about “What’s New in Version 6.0”. Customers and solution providers can register (for free) and complete the online curriculum at their convenience.

This course provides an overview of all the exciting new features offered in our version 6.0 release of Sage ERP Accpac. You will find out about how each feature works and how it can improve and enhance your Sage ERP Accpac solution. Learn about our new Sage ERP Accpac Portal and other key enhancements that are now available in Version 6.0. This comprehensive course includes information on Extended Enterprise modules like SageCRM. To make the most of your investment with Sage ERP Accpac and learn all of the amazing new features and functions, you must attend this course.

Course Length: 1 1/2 hours
Course Level: Basic Course
Instructional Method: Self paced Internet-based

Course Content:

• Learn about the new Sage ERP Accpac Portal including navigating and security.
• Learn how to work with tasks, shortcuts, snapshots, and the Learning Center in the Portal.
• Learn the new quote to order workflow with SageCRM.
• Learn about Printing and Exporting Inquiries and Inquiry security.

What is involved in upgrading to V6.0?
Upgrading from 5.6 is a single step activation to upgrade to v6.0.
Upgrading from 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 is a 2 step process – first to 5.6 and then to 6.0.
Upgrading from 5.3 or older is a 3 step process – first to 5.3, then 5.6 and 6.0

In general you will want to make sure the following are compatible with 6.0.

• Program Customizations, VBA Macros, Excel Macros that integrate with Accpac.
• Customized Crystal Reports
• 3rd Party programs that integrate with Accpac
• The appropriate version of MS-SQL or Pervasive database.

It is best to discuss your upgrade options with your Accpac Solution Provider as they are most familiar with your business requirements.

 

Blog Postings on Sage EPR Accpac 6

Now to use a trick of many blog posters who are lazy during the holidays and rather than write new content just reference previous content. Here is a directory of the various articles on Accpac 6 from this blog:

General

Sage ERP Accpac 6.x Product Roadmap
On Total Cost of Ownership
Accpac on the iPhone and Android
Sage ERP Accpac 6 Competitive Advantages
Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A Compelling Installed Base Value
How to Best Demo Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A

Features

The Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A Portal
Sage ERP Accpac 6.0 Adhoc Query
Sage ERP Accpac 6.0 Quote to Orders
Sage ERP Accpac 6.0 Data Portlets
Sage ERP Accpac 6.0 – Locking Fiscal Periods by Module
Drilling Down from Crystal Reports in Sage ERP Accpac 6
Running Classic Forms in Sage ERP Accpac 6
Sage ERP Accpac 6 User Assistance

Deployment

Sage ERP Accpac 6 Deployment
Installing and Deploying Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A
Setting up Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A Securely

Customization

Sage ERP Accpac 6 Customization
Migrating Customizations to Sage ERP Accpac 6
Customizing Quotes to Orders
Customizing the Order Details in Quote to Orders

SData

SData in Sage ERP Accpac 6
More on SData and Sage ERP Accpac 6
Stateful SData
On the Sage GCRM Contract

Programming

Declarative Programming in Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A
Sage ERP Accpac 6 Performance Testing
Sage ERP Accpac 6 Security
Sage ERP Accpac 6.x Mobility
Automated Testing in Sage ERP Accpac Development
How to Layout Forms in Sage ERP Accpac 6
Creating a Web Form for Accpac 6
Client Logic for an Accpac 6 Web Form
Writing Server Side Code for Accpac 6 Web UIs
Preparing for the Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A Launch

Summary

This posting is really just meant to tie up some loose ends from 2010 and to set the stage for 2011. Now that Sage ERP Accpac 6.0A has shipped, I will be starting to blog about Accpac 6.1A as it progresses through development as well as writing posts on topics for 6.0A as well as various topics on 5.6A.

If you have any questions or topics you would like covered in this blog, then please leave a comment. I read all the comments and especially appreciate topics for future posts.