By configuring your product codes on the Website in the same way as your stock codes in Sage 50/Instant, you can use the Sage Pay link with Sage accounts to download the individual orders and payments without any data entry duplication.

We recently implemented Sage Pay with our client www.Quickcrop.ie ( recently featured on RTE’s Dragon’s Den). Their busy online shop was generating many invoices which were being manually entered into Sage accounts. SagePay has saved Quickcrop time managing their business so that they can spend more time growing it!

Both Sage 50 and Exchequer can handle both the Invoice Basis and the Cash Receipts Basis for accounting for Vat. If you wish to change from an Invoice Basis to the Cash Flow basis as your turnover is now under the threshold, then it must be planned as follows:

• Ensure your accountant recommends the change of basis
• Apply to Revenue in writing for approval to change basis
• Plan the change for the end of a specific Vat Period
• Do not enter any transactions past the change date until the changeover has been completed
• Liaise with Synergy Network Ltd. to assist you with managing the changeover;
• Note separate workaround for Sage 50 users also using Foreign Trader for foreign currency transactions;

For more detailed steps see our earlier article Switching to VAT Cash Accounting on Sage 50

It is very important that you upgrade your Sage 50 Software to the latest version v2013 before the 31st of January 2013 if you want to avail of the upgrade price.

After the 1st of February 2013 if you have not moved to the latest version, any subsequent software upgrades would mean that you would then have to purchase at the full Software retail price. The latest version of Sage 50 is compatible with Windows 8 and has a number of new features.

When upgrading it is important to consider:

• Higher computer specification for the new v2013 software
• Installation and data upgrade

You can order your Software upgrade from us here in Synergy Network Sligo by calling our sales team, Malcolm or James on (071) 914 6815 and we will look after the entire upgrade process for you.

This tool manages stock at various locations by duplicating the stock records for each location in Sage 50 and provides a transfer tool to facilitate stock moving between locations. This facility could be useful for tracking van stock or stock in outside locations such as a remote retail outlet or warehouse.

Please contact James Doyle by email or telephone on (071) 9146815 if you would like to discuss your requirements further.

Before applying the updates, backup your Sage data. Exit Sage and Microsoft Excel.

Your version number should now be 19.00.11.0263

Sage PayPoint (EPOS)  provides your business with a user friendly point of sale environment that allows you to conduct customer sale and payment transactions quickly, accurately and securely. For businesses handling stock, Sage PayPoint has the ability to integrate with your Sage accounting system allowing you to manage pricing and stock control across your business – a complete one stop Sage retail solution.

If you are interested in learning more about Sage PayPoint and how it integrates with your exisiting Sage accounts system, please contact James on 071-9146815 or email sales@synergynet.ie

Before applying the updates, backup your Sage data and layouts. Exit Sage and Microsoft Excel.

Your version number should now be 18.1.0.20.

One of the issues that can prevent you from switching VAT systems is the use of the Foreign Trader module in Sage. If Foreign Trader is switched on, you cannot switch VAT systems.

Our solution is to use a series of reports so that you can submit a VAT return based on the Irish VAT cash accounting system and continue to use Foreign Trader in Sage 50.

Those of you on Support contract with us can avail of this service. If you would like to learn more please contact Support on 071 9146815.

Your version number should now be 18.1.0.16.

We have just tested the integration of the latest versions of Sage 50 and ACT! and were pleased with the following results:

• You can import all your products from Sage 50 into ACT to use for tracking your sales opportunities;
• You can create a Sales quotation automatically from the products listed on your opportunity;
• When the customer proceeds with the order you can push the Sales Order into Sage 50 from the information listed on the opportunity without any rekeying;
• You can also see up to date customer account financial information within ACT, for example customer balance and invoices outstanding;

In conclusion, the level of integration between Sage 50 and ACT is impressive and should lead to better sharing of information for businesses using both these systems.

If you are interested in purchasing either Sage 50 or ACT! or if you have any questions relating to Sage 50 ACT! integration, please contact James  on (071) 9146815.