Sage Software MAS 500 User Manual

0 (0)

Sage MAS 500 Version 7.2

Pre-Release Guide

January 2008

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

Table of Contents
Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................	1
Availability .................................................................................................................................................................	1
New Modules............................................................................................................................................................	2
Business Insights Dashboard...............................................................................................................................	2
Data Import Manager............................................................................................................................................	3
Starship Freight v9.9 .............................................................................................................................................	5
Usability Enhancements...........................................................................................................................................	7
Warehouse Automation ........................................................................................................................................	7
Project Accounting ................................................................................................................................................	8
Sage MAS 500 Office Update ..............................................................................................................................	8
Business Insights Explorer .................................................................................................................................	10
New Common End User License Agreement ...................................................................................................	10
Documentation ....................................................................................................................................................	10
Sage Software Complete Solutions.......................................................................................................................	16
Sage SalesLogix 7.2 ...........................................................................................................................................	16
Sage Abra HRMS v7.6 .......................................................................................................................................	16
Sage FAS 500 v2008.1.......................................................................................................................................	20
Sage Timesheet v9.61........................................................................................................................................	21
Third Party Considerations.....................................................................................................................................	21
Crystal Reports v10.0..........................................................................................................................................	21
Microsoft FRx v6.7 SP 10...................................................................................................................................	21
StarShip Parcel v9.9 ...........................................................................................................................................	21
Technology Features..............................................................................................................................................	21
Data Migration .....................................................................................................................................................	21
Microsoft Vista UAC Support..............................................................................................................................	21
Platform Support Overview.................................................................................................................................	22
Minimum System Requirements ........................................................................................................................	22
Retirements.............................................................................................................................................................	22
eExecutive ...........................................................................................................................................................	22

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

Overview

Sage MAS 500’s rich heritage as a technology leader has been a key foundation of the solution for more than one decade. As the first Mid-Market solution to develop an ERP application from the ground-up based on SQL Server and Visual Basic Technology, Sage MAS 500 has evolved by taking advantage of newer technologies that provide the value and flexibility that Sage MAS 500 users have come to rely on. From innovative ecommerce solutions to the latest .NET based Business Insights Explorer module, Sage MAS 500 continues to pursue technology solutions that increase user productivity and lower overall costs.

The Sage MAS 500 7.2 release strengthens that technology leadership position by providing two new .NET solutions, full support for Microsoft Vista UAC and a re-architected Sage MAS 500 Office while continuing to extend and improve the overall user experience.

A key highlight to the 7.2 release includes a new .NET and web based dashboard solution – Business Insights Dashboard. As a benefit to all Sage MAS 500 maintenance subscribers, Business Insights Dashboard provides a user centric view of key application metrics in addition to transaction inquiry through a Browser URL.

The new .NET and SQL Server SSIS based Data Import Manager allows administrators to import a variety of transactions into MAS 500 through a simplified mapping interface while preserving data integrity. A refreshed and enhanced user interface within Sage MAS 500 Office provides a more streamlined process for creating and managing Office Templates.

Both new and existing customers will immediately benefit from these newer technologies in addition to the usability, performance and scalability improvements throughout the system. Please take the time to read through the remainder of the document to fully understand the value and opportunity the 7.2 release provides.

Availability

Sage MAS 500 7.2 will be generally available in March 2008. Channel partner and customer autoshipments are expected in the April 2008 timeframe. The Software Development Kit (SDK) will be available approximately four weeks after the initial delivery to Production. All efforts will be made to provide the SDK sooner.

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

New Modules

Business Insights Dashboard

The new Business Insights Dashboard module keeps customers in charge of their business by channeling all the information they need into one convenient and powerful web dashboard solution. Business Insights Dashboard provides an unsurpassed level of knowledge management that consolidates critical personal, corporate, and external information and enables single-click access to analytical and collaborative tools. Using .NET technology, this customizable solution to information overload puts up-to-date sales statistics, key Sage MAS 500 data, industry news, and competitive intelligence at your fingertips.

In addition, new data views (Web Parts) can be easily created in Visual Studio.NET allowing customers to track almost any business scenario imaginable. By leveraging key performance indicators in their business, they can move from reactive to proactive—improving customer satisfaction as well. Each user has the ability to personalize their dashboard in addition to configuring various dashboard layouts for daily, weekly and other role based views.

Secured Content

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

The data view included with Business Insights Dashboard have been assigned individual task rights allowing administrators to set security for each KPI by company based on their appropriate role in the organization. The ability to modify the personal experience and to modify the global experience within the Dashboard is also securable through individual task rights.

Leverage the Power of Business Insights Explorer

As an added benefit to the powerful personalized dashboard capabilities, users of Business Insights Dashboard will also have access to Business Insights Explorer views directly from the browser. Based on their security profile defined within MAS 500, users will benefit from the powerful sorting, filtering, grouping and drill-down capabilities provided through the embedded grid without requiring a Sage MAS 500 client installation. This additional capability allows customers to grant Sage MAS 500 data access to other information workers within an organization at a fraction of the cost by purchasing additional Business Insights User licenses.

Data Import Manager

Sage MAS 500 continues its strong tradition as an open ERP platform for integration and customization. Based solely on the Microsoft technology platform, Database Administrators and developers have leveraged the various methods for integrating into Sage MAS 500 through its open SQL Server and Visual Basic platform.

The new Data Import Manager builds off the strength of that openness through a robust database integration mapping application. Built with .NET and SQL Server 2005 SSIS technology, database administrators can now configure one-time or regular scheduled imports into a wide variety of Sage MAS 500 transaction formats through a powerful mapping wizard. The mapping wizard provides the detailed knowledge of MAS 500 including required fields, default validations and lookups while enabling the administrator to transform direct feeds from Sage MAS 90 or 200, ASCII, Delimited, Microsoft Access, Excel, SQL Server and XML data sources. By leveraging the power of SQL

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

Server SSIS, administrators can schedule the SSIS package to run on a regular basis. Furthermore, developers can modify the final package by adding scripting for additional validations and other complex transformations.

Data Import Manager also addresses one of the most widely used applications in Sage MAS 90 and 200 platform - The Visual Integrator module. By providing the import capabilities within Data Import Manager, Sage MAS 90 and 200 customers that have been running regular imports with Visual Integrator can be assured of a similar experience after migrating to Sage MAS 500.

Available Transaction Imports

The following table highlights some of the key entities and transactions available with the 7.2 release of Data Import Manager. A complete list will be included with the online documentation supplied with the product

Module	Entity or Transaction	Capability

GL	Accounts	Insert
GL	Journals	Insert
GL	Transactions	Insert
AR	Customers	Insert and Update
AR	Sales Territories	Insert
AR	Sales Teams	Insert
AP	Vendors	Insert
AP	Vendor Items	Inset and Update
		©2007 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved
	4

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

Module	Entity or Transaction	Capability

AP	Vouchers	Insert
IM	Pricing (including price sheets,	Insert
	groups, matrix and customer)
SO	Open Orders	Insert and Add Line
SO	History Orders	Insert
PO	Open Orders	Insert
PO	History Orders	Insert
MF	Work Centers	Insert
MF	Routings	Insert
MF	Employees	Insert

Licensing

Data Import Manager will be licensed as a new module and priced at $2,500. Pricing is subject to change prior to the release.

Starship Freight v9.9

Use StarShip Freight to integrate efficient packing and an automated process into your fulfillment of larger shipments. For less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) shipments, StarShip Freight provides your customers with item level detail, prints the Bill of Lading (BOL), and recommends an auto-pack based on previous shipments with carriers such as Roadway and Yellow Freight.

Reduce shipping costs by shopping for the best rates using Freightquote.com carriers, customer negotiated rates, or a mixture of both. Quickly view the transit time and freight charges before selection and get tracking information on shipment location and status.

Use the StarShip Freight Shipping Assistant to simplify pick-and-pack functionality and improve efficiency. As shipments are processed, the Shipping Assistant remembers packaging scenarios, and provides those as auto-packing options in the future. A sophisticated two-tiered approach to packaging captures the item detail for each box, plus the box details for each pallet.

SAGE MAS 500 VERSION 7.2 PRE-RELEASE GUIDE

StarShip Freight Highlights

•Swiftly convert orders using item detail to automate freight rating and Bill of Lading

•Reduce shipping-related expenses by combining multiple orders in a single shipment

•Capture item, box, and pallet detail using a simple drag-and-drop method

•Identify significant shipping cost savings among multiple carriers by viewing side-by-side rate comparisons

•Immediately add accurate shipping charges to customer invoices

•Personalize the Shipping Assistant to your preferred level of detail

•Print pallet and package labels using laser or thermal printers

Availability

Starship Freight for Sage MAS 500 version 7.2 will be released after the initial launch of Sage MAS 500 version 7.2 and is currently scheduled for late spring after the completion of a beta release cycle.

+ 17 hidden pages