Despite it being late to the party, Sage UK has launched version 30 of Sage 50c accounts as a 64 bit application, including SDO (Sage Data Objects)
What does this mean for bespoke programmes interfacing with Sage 50?
There have been serious concerns within the industry regarding the reliance on an Access 32bit instance to allow Sage Data Objects to be written back into Sage. Qi, along with many other business partners who have developed additional functionality to work alongside Sage 50 have been historically frustrated by the lack of any signposting from Sage UK as to whether the programme would ever be available in 64 bit form.
Businesses who rely on Access programmes and use Sage 50c can now breathe a little easier. Whilst there will be work to do on their Access programmes to enable these to function with the 64bit version of Sage 50c – it does at least provide a roadmap for current instances of Sage 50c + Access Bespoke and delay the need to move to more modern and/or comprehensive business applications such as browser based (Cloud) ERP.
Is there value in investing further in Access bespoke programmes?
Increasingly, where an Access bespoke programme would be created to interface with financials for example, modern applications such as Business Central allow for the application itself to be developed as the source code can be changed. This gives businesses the opportunity to have a single SQL database browser accessed solution that has all the functionality they require rather than interfacing systems or standalone Excel spreadsheets for example.
Whilst Access solutions can be developed and extended and with the event of Sage 50c 64bit now being available thus removing the diminishing shelf life linked to 32bit, there could be a business case for investing in Access based programmes.
What does Sage 50c 64 bit mean for Power Platform use?
Historically, Power Platform has provided the tools to extract some information from Sage 50c for use in Power Apps and Business Intelligence but without the 64bit capabilities for Sage SDO, information can not be written back into Sage from a Power App for example. The scope to use Microsoft Power Platform more effectively if your business is running on Version 30 Sage 50c 64 bit has increased, massively.
Review Business Applications available before you do anything
With good Access developers becoming lower in supply and thus higher in demand with a price tag to match, it must make sense to look at the marketplace prior to investing further in Access. Sage 50c and Access will always need to be physically installed somewhere. That ‘somewhere’ (hardware) will always have associated replacement and maintenance costs. It’s not just about your accounting functionality and your access bespoke – there is a wider picture to consider.
Manufacturing
Is your business using an additional Sage 50c interfacing MRP?
CRM
Is your business using an additional CRM? Does it successfully share information with your central system (reliably)?
Does your Business want to leverage the might of Power Platform?
If the answer is yes, then we have already established that the 64 bit capabilities in Sage V30 will be a ‘game changer’ BUT, Sage50c can never be a browser based application without a complete architectural overhaul by Sage themselves. There is not doubt that Microsoft Power Platform which includes modern Business Intelligence, Power Apps, Forms and Flows fits more logically with other (particularly Microsoft) cloud based business applications.
Thought for the Day
Without doubt, the launch of Sage 50c as a 64bit application is a massive plus for existing Sage 50c users. If you need to fulfil more than an accounting function however there are a number of questions you need to consider before opting to invest further in Access, move away from Sage50c or start making use of Microsoft’s Power Platform. Contact Qi for some initial advice and guidance regarding how to start your review.