Sage - Educate me

[Big Jim]

I have virtually zero knowledge of sage.

I have a customer who is using V16, having spoken to sage about installing a 2nd pc they have been advised they will need the newest (V19) 2 license version of sage at a cost of £268.

They want to have 2 computers able to work on the same accounts at the same time, this bit according to my research is as simple as setting up a shared folder on the "server" machine and pointing both computers at this folder.

I have made the assumption that the "server" doesn't need special sage software

can you mix and match different versions of sage (guessing the answer will be no)
can you just buy 2 seperate Sage licenses and install them on the 2 machines and have them work together, or is the dual license version "special" in some way ?

I can purchase 2 sage licenses cheaper than I can can buy a dual license (hence the reason for me asking if there is anything special about the dual license)

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Which Sage product?

Typically they're SQL based...so the server will run SQL (could be express, could be full blown)...the database, and a database manager, so there is a "server only" installation of the product.

Workstation setups are kept in the shared folder, you just run a "WKSetup" install file from a WKSetup folder...for example (this is what it's called in their MAS90 product). The workstation client will be auto configured to hit the ODBC and pickup the database.

 

[Big Jim]

Not 100% sure which product but I assume it was instant accounts because they said they use it for producing invoice and quotes and things like that.

Does that sound right ?

As for sharing it on 2 machines, are you saying that a different product is needed, or is the server part of this included with the normal sage stuff ?

For the record one of these 2 machines is going to have to act as the server and a workstation at the same time, will that affect the setup in anyway ?

 

[4ycr]

I have a client with sage (don't know what version) and sage payroll.

For sage, it is just a case of copying the files to a shared folder and then editing some files so it points to the shared folder (which has to be mapped). I used google to fine what needed moved and changed as I had told them before I started that I was not sure how sage worked.

They need to be the same version, even a difference in a patch will kick you out

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For just 2 computers, 1 of them will (depending on which Sage product they have) will have the database component\data share. Smaller versions of their product don't even need SQL installed. I think the bare bones installation just puts in pervasive or something smaller for an engine.

Typically their licensing is very tightly controller, if it's single user...you won't be getting it running on 2 user..without getting a 2nd license purchased and installed. Their support is very very good. Need your clients account into, typically an account number, plus a username and password to log into Sages portal to download installation files and updates for whatever software your client is licensed for. Yearly support programs...good idea to strongly encourage your client to maintain that support each year.

 

[ITMAN]

With 1 user doubt its SQL based. So I assume its line 50

You have to buy a multiuser license to allow multi user access

We run 15 user multiuser account

Sbs sever has a share with the files for sage but does NOT have sage on it.... Not needed

But to answer your question, you need multiuser license and yes, they must be the same version / patch level

 

[Big Jim]

if it's single user...you won't be getting it running on 2 user..without getting a 2nd license purchased and installed.

Wasn't intending on using one license.
What I wanted to know is if I purchased
2 x Sage Instant Accounts 2013 (single user)

will they work together and be able to share the same DB or will I have to purchase a 1 company 2 user version ?

As you can see my sage knowledge is rubbish. But then again I don't have to use it so it doesn't really matter. (or does it )

 

[ITMAN]

No. You need a multiple user license

 

[ITMAN]

Actually sorry it its age instant don't think this is available as multiple user? Maybe time to call sage

I use sage instant for my own personal accounts and it is the same as line 50 but a few changes.

 

[AndyM]

Sage Instant and Sage Line 50. You can install the program on as many PC's as you want to.

The licensing is to access the data concurrently, so if you have a thousand PC's with Sage installed on them, and a 2 user license, then only 2 of those thousand PC's will be able to gain access to the data.

The programs absolutely *HAVE* to be the same version! This is because of the way that Sage creates the database. If you have a database that was created with Sage v16.0.108.01 for example, and you have a copy of Sage v16.0.0.0, then you will have to run the 'Check For Updates' option to get it to the same level before you can access the data.

In the UK, it is only when you get to Sage 200 and above, that you start using a dedicated SQL server, which is a subscription based license.

Sage Instant is a single user license program (£125 + VAT)
Sage Instant Accounts Plus is a 2 user version (£205 + VAT)

Andy