There are lots of people using and working with Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200. Some are known by the names listed above but what exactly do they mean? These are scientific naming conventions, really just what makes sense to me.
Users or End-users: You probably fit into this category. These are companies and individuals that use MAS 90 or MAS 200 to manage their business; these could be data entry clerks, supervisors, managers and even system administrators.
Business Partners, Value Added Resellers (VAR) or simply resellers: Acuity is a business partner. We are authorized by Sage to provide service and support end-users. Each year business partners re-qualify with Sage by attending training sessions, events and passing certifications exams.
Authorized Training Center (ATC) and Authorized Trainers: Acuity is an Authorized Training Center and Esther is one of our Authorized Trainers. Each year an ATC also re-qualifies with Sage by completing an application to show how Sage standards are being maintained. ATCs and Authorized Trainers can order curriculum from Sage. Some ATCs, like Acuity Solutions, are certified by NASBA to offer CPE credit for courses. In some cases, an ATC may be referred to as an Authorized Training Campus.
Development Partners (formerly Master Developers): In some instances you might need an adjustment to MAS 90 and MAS 200 to meet your needs exactly. Sage certifies software developers and gives them access to source code so new tools can be created to work with the system. The highest level of development partner is an Endorsed Partner. There are also Gold and Silver Partners.
Sage released MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 3.71 in November 2002. Typically Sage supports the most current release and one prior version but uncharacteristically, Sage has continued to support this release through the next several releases. However, Sage’s support of this date version (five releases have been issued since) has been scheduled to expire. As of December 31, 2009, year-end updates for Accounts Payable, Payroll, Magnetic Media and Tax Table Updates will be discontinued. Phone support will remain available only for users with a Value Plan until September 30, 2010.
Monthly and Quarterly service updates have been discontinued for versions 4.00, 4.05 and 4.10. Only versions 4.10, 4.20 and 4.30 are being issued knowledgebase updates and are included with Tech Tuesday training sessions.
While Sage is withholding development or fixes for retired versions of MAS 90 and MAS 200, Acuity Solutions will continue to support users running all releases as best we can understanding that patches are not available.
You can view Sage’s supported versions list or email me for a copy.
Thanks to everyone that attend the lastest Sage MAS 90/200 User Group. At the meeting on Thursday, August 13, Esther reviewed the budgeting tools available in MAS 90 and MAS 200 including importing, exporting, adjustments and reporting. We invited
Conrad Almase from
Technology Advisors to give an overview of customer relationship management applications and explain the benefits to accounting departments as well as sales, marketing and service departments. As always, we closed with what I consider the most valuable aspect of our meetings: the open dialogue. When we open the floor, everyone is invited to ask questions and share ideas. In most instances, one or several users have experience with the topic being discussed which makes the User Group meetings a great place to find ideas to solve problems or to find something new to try.
Let us know what you think the most valuable part of the User Group meetings are by leaving a comment. If you have suggestions for new topics, leave those in the comments too.