Compare the Differences: Sage 50 v Sage 50c

Compare the Differences: Sage 50 v Sage 50c And Discover the Benefits of Hybrid-Cloud Accounting

You may already be a Sage 50 user. Or perhaps you are currently considering Sage 50 for your small- to medium-sized business’s accounting requirements.

But – you may have heard Sage has upgraded Sage 50 to Sage 50c. And now you may want a deeper understanding of both Accounting Solutions. So what’s the difference between the two?

DB Computer Solutions has stitched together a comprehensive comparison to help you uncover the significant differences.

First Things First: If You’re Already a Sage 50 User You Can Continue Using Sage 50

For existing Sage 50 users, know you can continue to use your desktop edition of Sage 50 as part of your License agreement. However, for a number of compelling reasons outlined below, you may want to move to Sage 50c. And if you’re considering Sage for your SME accounting requirements, know that by purchasing Sage 50c you’ll still enjoy the substantial benefits found in traditional Sage 50, Ireland’s favourite accounting solution.

Too, Sage 50c is as easy to use as Sage 50. If you’re currently a Sage 50 user, you’ll find the transition to Sage 50c a doddle.

Why Sage 50c?

Sage 50c was developed to overcome two issues common to most traditional Sage 50 users:

1. Traditional Sage 50 is a localised desktop solution – meaning the data held by Sage 50 can only be used when accessing Sage 50 software usually held on an office desktop computer. However, most busy business people are demanding ‘anytime / anywhere’ software solutions to remotely manage many workflows.

1. 2. Inefficient Collaboration with Accountants – typically, SMEs hire third-party Accountants to manage month and year end accounting processes, expedite compliance such as VAT and other taxation, and conduct related reconciliations and reporting. Often, those Accountants are located miles away from your office. This means Sage 50 users must export current data from the Sage 50 database located at their office to share it with the Accountant. In turn the Accountant must import that data into their own Sage 50 software held on their local computer. Having finished their accounting processes, the Accountant exports that revised data for re-input back at your Sage 50 office location. This is an awkward and at times frustrating process. During this period of data reconciliation, Sage 50 users are unable to obtain real-time, accurate data.

To overcome these issues, Sage developed a much more agile, flexible, and effective solution by incorporating innovative hybrid-cloud technologies. With Sage 50c, data is stored in fully-secured cloud infrastructure for instant, remote access by authorised users. Sage 50c also integrates Microsoft Office 365 to enable remote access to a range of other critical database elements.

The Key Differences Between Sage 50 and Sage 50c

As mentioned, Sage 50 is a stand-alone desktop solution. While data can be shared with other users in the office, the Sage 50 database cannot be accessed remotely.  However, Sage 50c incorporates hybrid cloud technology to drive anytime / anywhere remote access.

Unlike Sage 50, Sage 50c incorporates:

• Sage Drive for Remote Data Access – Sage Drive is the engine which powers Sage 50c hybrid-cloud capabilities. Users appoint a Sage 50c Administrator (usually an employee). The Administrator enables Sage Drive and pushes all current Sage 50c data into the secure Sage 50c cloud. Then, they assign authorised users (which includes your Accountant). Using Sage 50c software installed on any desktop or laptop device, authorised users can access Sage 50c data at anytime and from anywhere. Data changes made by authorised users are synched back to the cloud. This ensures all users access accurate, current accounting data. And it overcomes a primary issue by providing anytime / anywhere remote data access.

• Efficient Collaboration with your Accountant – because your Accountant is an authorised user, and has instant remote access to your company’s Sage 50c database via Sage Drive, exporting and re-importing data for month end, year end, and other purposes is a thing of the past. Your accountant can carry out workflows including reconciliations and compliance tasks from anywhere and at anytime. Any changes your Accountant makes are synched to the cloud, which means your company can access his / her changes instantly. Hybrid cloud technology significantly increases efficiency, accuracy, and productivity, and enables employees to focus on their primary responsibilities rather than worry about periodically exporting and importing data for your Accountant.

• Automatic Data Backup – with every good intention, business managers sometimes forget to adequately backup and protect their vital accounting data. Unfortunately, DDoS, Ransomware, and other vicious malware attacks are growing exponentially – and these determined criminals can continually put your data at grave risk. Sage 50c overcomes this issue by backing up critical accounting data into secure cloud infrastructure. Should the unthinkable happen, users of Sage 50c can easily access data backups to expedite Disaster Recovery routines. (For additional information on how to protect your vital data and infrastructure from malicious attack, go to http://www.dbcomp.ie/products/backup-and-disaster-recovery/)

• Remote Invoicing and Payments Maximise Cash Flow – Sage 50c enables authorised users to instantly create and transmit invoices from remote locations to end-customers via email. Moreover, those invoices incorporate a Sage Pay Now link, enabling them to pay instantly via PayPal or your merchant account. Sage 50c therefore acts to significantly boost cash flow.

Integrated Microsoft Office 365 Increases Effectiveness

Sage 50c comes fully integrated with Microsoft Office 365. This allows Sage 50c users to access and use the full suite of online Microsoft applications including Outlook for email, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Combined, these tools can empower your staff by driving remote collaboration. But MS Office 365 integration also provides a range of additional, enhanced remote capabilities.

To access these features, users do not need to have Sage 50c software downloaded on mobile devices. Instead, authorised users can use tablets and smartphones to access data directly via Microsoft Office 365.

• On the Road Instant Access to Customer Data – Sage 50c users on the road use MS Office 365 to access a wide range of customer data including contact details and order histories. Sage 50c arms your staff with the data they need to make every business meeting a success.

• Expense Capture – even the best of us occasionally misplaces an expense receipt. Often those costs are charged back to end-customers or used to offset profit margins and legally minimise taxation. So the loss of expense receipts can be costly, while also driving your finance personnel to distraction. With Sage 50c, employees simply use a smartphone to take a photo of expense receipts. They incorporate a note explaining the expense and migrate this data to the Sage 50c cloud using MS Office 365. Your finance team and accountant can then easily access the captured expense data for charge back and reconciliation.

• Real-time, Remote Business Intelligence – Microsoft Office 365, together with Sage Intelligent Reporting and Sage 50c, provides comprehensive remote access to a range of standard or customised management reports. With Sage 50c, business owners and managers harness cloud-based data for deep insight into critical aspects of their business even if they’re on the other side of the world.

Easy Application Integration

Sage 50c also enables users to easily integrate other applications for increased efficiency and bottom-line results. For instance:

• DB Remote Rep – enables your field sales force to remotely place orders using smart devices for quick order processing, despatching, and invoicing to your important customers. Order data, including product quantities, date, price, and customer delivery details, is instantly migrated to the Sage 50c cloud for access by back office personnel. DB Remote Rep accelerates cash flow while enabling you to serve your customers more effectively. DB Remote Rep also helps businesses to replace manual order books – meaning you’ll never again lose an order.

• Sage Barcode – Sage Barcode integrated into Sage 50c enables businesses to track and trace an infinite number of stock items. Sage Barcode is perfect for manufacturing, assembly, and those who need to accurately track, trace, quantify, and locate valuable stock items.

• Sage Micropay for Payroll – Sage Micropay for Payroll, integrated with Sage 50c, manages all payroll requirements including payments, PAYE, PRSI, Benefit in Kind, USC and similar. Users of Sage 50c, combined with Sage Micropay for Payroll, receive a comprehensive, accurate overview of all payroll-related overheads, data which is also incorporated into your accounting financials.

An Office Anywhere with Sage 50c

With the advent of Sage 50c, users experience a true ‘office anywhere’ environment. Sage 50c, together with integrated Microsoft Office 365 and secure hybrid cloud infrastructure, significantly increases productivity and contributes substantially by saving scarce human resources while also empowering your staff to work more effectively and efficiently.

Contact DB Computer Solutions for more information on the differences between Sage 50 and Sage 50c: info@dbcomp.ie or Telephone 061 480 980.

And why not also discuss Sage Training from DB Computer Solutions? We help you get the most out of your traditional Sage 50, or innovative Sage 50c, solution.