Sage released the latest update to Sage 200 in February 2023. As part of their progressive strategy, they incorporate customer feedback for a user-driven roadmap towards a product that works for their customers’ needs. The key aspects of this are:
- Simplifying business processes to boost efficiency.
- Keeping the software as modern as possible with new productivity enhancements.
These are fundamental to the overall product strategy:
- Making Sage 200 as web-enabled as possible, with a choice of deployment options that integrate with other apps seamlessly.
- Making the core accounting functions as robust as possible while enhancing API capabilities.
- Developing industry-specific functionality.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the new features of Sage 200 for 2023 R1.
What’s been added?
The latest update arrived in February 2023 for all product variants of Sage 200. Much of what has been added comes from the most voted features from customers via the Sage Ideas Hub. There are also various improvements to key API endpoints and enhanced tools for migration.
Import Vatable Journals
Two new columns have been added to the file structure: VAT code and VAT type. Data import is now simplified with an enhanced range of transaction types that you can import. The need to do manual processing after imports has been eliminated, and you also no longer need developer-built solutions to do this for you.
Allocation Dates for Sales and Purchase Receipts/Payments
There is a new option for ‘use payment/receipt date’. In essence, you can set the default allocation date as the payment/receipt date or the system date. This helps keep manual entry errors to a minimum so you can always get ageing reports right.
Import Stock Updates
You will find a new feature for importing and exporting stock records. This facilitates the mass updating of several stock record attributes on the go. These include:
- Minimum stock levels.
- Default warehouses.
- Adding/removing a warehouse from stock records.
This enhanced flexibility makes it easier to manage warehouse or stock changes/updates.
Supplier Alerts
Purchase workflow documents can now be set up with alerts and trigger conditions. This will enable automatic notifications for purchase department personnel regarding important supplier details when purchase orders or returns are being processed.
Stock Fields’ Size Extension
The part number has been extended to 60 characters. Meanwhile, when a customer migrates from Sage 50, stock name and description can now handle data in its entirety. This refines the migration from Sage 50 whilst extending record management for the stock master.
Runtime Reports on Spooler
This relates to Year End reports, Bank reconciliation and Vat Returns where the output mode is set to preview or printer. There will be a new onscreen prompt to enable the report to be added to the spooler. This helps keep runtime reports close to hand and enables instant reprinting whenever needed.
Version Upgrade Capability – Only for Sage 200 Professional (SPC)
Upgrade processes are streamlined and automated. This will include automatic deployment of the most recent release. The config databases will be handled automatically and restore processes will be triggered to facilitate comprehensive testing before going live. This makes it easier to update and remain compliant whilst enjoying new features.
Simplified Migration for People Moving to Sage Partner Cloud
You will be able to retain your current Sage 200 configuration database to speed up the migration.
Migration Tool Update
The Sage 50 migration tool has been optimised. This will keep it technically compliant with the very latest releases of Sage 50. Sage is committed to helping facilitate a seamless migration journey for Sage 50 customers, keeping downtime and disruption to an absolute minimum.
You can learn more about migrating from Sage 50 to 200 in our informative article Migrating From Sage 50 to Sage 200 – A Beginners Guide.
Print Prior Year Journal
During management of journal entries for the previous year, you now get an extra printing option on-screen. This makes the experience more consistent throughout the user interface and also provides a useful new function.
New API Fields Plus Enhanced Endpoints
No fewer than 8 major endpoints have been enhanced. They include purchase alerts features and support for the new default allocation date. With new API extensions, you gain access to a broader ecosystem of modules and applications to increase the automation workflows and other services available.
Analysis Code Increase from 5 to 20 – Sage 200 Standard & Sage for Education only
There are now 20 analysis codes, instead of just 5. This was previously only supported in Sage 200 Professional, and the extended analysis codes enable enhanced analysis and reporting.
Maintenance
Sage regularly maintains features and functionality relating that is cloud-connected. These include:
- Bank Feeds.
- Invoice Payment Systems.
- Salary and Supplier Payments.
To maintain full compatibility with Sage 200, integrations and functionality are regularly tested to ensure a consistent, seamless integration.
Certain changes to platform support are also being addressed, with integrations that have virtually no value being removed. This latest release has retired SharePoint integration capability (don’t worry, the Microsoft 365 integration remains active). Microsoft SQL 2016 has also been retired as a supported platform, replaced by SQL 2022.
Why choose Eventura to help deliver your Sage 200 project?
With two decades of Sage deployments under our belt, we are experts in delivering robust Sage 200 solutions that are meticulously designed to suit your specific business needs. We take a full 360-degree view of your business, and help you identify all of your requirements.
Our team of expert business analysts, developers, consultants, technicians and support staff will guide you through your Sage 200 project from conception, through to deployment and ongoing support.
If you would like to speak with one of our Sage 200 experts, you can request a free call back here.
