Sage 50 Manufacturing 2008

What should we expect?
Sage 50 has become a very popular entry-level solution, with its emphasis on the entire process as opposed to specific areas of manufacturing. It is a mark of the earlier testing and improvements that this version concentrates on additional features, rather than bug fixes.

What does the latest upgrade offer and how will it benefit you?
Sage 50 2008 starts by offering peace of mind, being supported on Windows Vista and capable of integration with Sage 50 Accounts 2008. This can be taken as standard for an upgrade - the more interesting changes are ones requested below, from customer focus groups. Whilst none are ground-breaking on their own, taken together they offer a new level of usability.

• Creating multiple item estimates
  Multiple item estimates have been implemented so that each item has its own estimate record, with the benefit of retaining all existing features like quantity breaks and stages. In turn, this offers you much more freedom to accept, amend and invoice individual items, both combined and alone.
   
• Combining, raising and printing multiples
  Thankfully, multiple estimating processes also apply to the actual paperwork, with the facility to generate several blank estimates for a customer at the same time. Likewise, the quotation print provides the facility to combine items from multiple estimates and you can raise an invoice to cover several different Works Orders.
   
• Convenient extras
  Sage upgrades are renowned for that extra bit of product enhancement and this one is no different. Extra features aimed at making life easier include the ability to control MRP reorder rules, automatically "flag and add" stage templates to the estimates and the choice of building estimates by selling price rather than cost and mark-up.

To conclude
Sage 50 is already a good product, as proved by the minor modifications in the upgrade. Almost all the improvements focus on making life easier for the manufacturer, rather than correcting or updating existing features. The estimating functions offer a competitive edge in a tough market, whilst the new MRP controls will aid accuracy rather than headaches. Whilst most upgrades are purchased to prevent obseletion, we think that this one will be bought for its functionality.


If you would like to discuss this product in more detail, please contact George Crawford on 0121 384 2513 or by writing to: