The Sage 300 Licensing Model is Changing
Sage recently announced that they will stop selling the “traditional” perpetual version of Sage 300 to new and off-plan customers, effective October 1, 2017. Moving forward, they will only sell Sage 300C (subscription model).
The perpetual model of Sage 300 won’t completely go away if you own the software and have an active Business Care plan (as of Oct 1, 2017). You will still be able to purchase additional licenses, modules and get access to product updates and new releases. However, Sage will not add new features to the perpetual model of Sage 300 after September 30, 2017.
The announcement to stop selling the perpetual version of Sage 300, to off-plan and new customers confirms Sage’s strategic business decision to focus on Sage 300C as their primary licensing model. The subscription edition of Sage 300 (Sage 300C) has been available for approximately two years. It is a fully functional browser based version of the software, with additional valuable features.
Let’s take a look at a few questions to determine next steps:
Are you currently happy with your Sage 300 software?
Do you see a need in the foreseeable future to use web-screens at your business? Do you want access to the value-added features available in Sage 300C, or are you satisfied with how Sage 300 is supporting your existing business operations?
If you are currently satisfied with the status-quo at your business, then we recommend that you get back on plan, and continue to use the Sage 300 perpetual version of the software.
When you get back on plan, you will continue to enjoy existing Sage 300 benefits, get access to technical updates, newer versions and can buy additional licenses and modules, when necessary. You will also be able to choose when it makes the best sense for you to move to Sage 300C.
Are you currently unhappy with Sage 300?
If you are not satisfied with how the software is supporting your business, please read this blog article, about how you can get MORE ROI on your Sage 300 software.
We also encourage you to contact your Front Line Systems consultant, to discuss your business needs.
If you decide to get back on-plan and move to Sage 300C, you will get access to all the Sage 300C benefits (24/7 internet access to the system, faster AP processing with AP automation, access to built-in BI tools and more), and the assurance that Sage is committed to spending their R&D funds to the improvement of this solution.
You will also have the added benefit of time and cost-savings because of your Sage 300 users existing familiarity with the system.
Now that we have answered a few questions, let’s look at the main differences between Sage 300 and Sage 300C:
Difference #1 – Subscription vs. Perpetual pricing
Sage 300C is sold on a subscription basis. You can pay for the software on a monthly, annual or 3-year term basis (which includes access to all the software updates.) There are discounts for paying ahead.
Important:
- Once you choose the subscription option you can’t go back to regular Business Care support
- Subscription pricing is more expensive than maintaining Business Care
- With subscription pricing, the software will stop working if you default on payment. You will still have access to your data, but you will not be able to enter new data.
Sage 300 Business Care allows you to extend your perpetual licenses. (once you purchase the software you own it.) However, you will need to pay a yearly Business care renewal fee to get access to the latest updates and releases or purchase additional licenses or modules from Sage. After September 30, 2017, if you are not current on Sage Business Care support, you will no longer have the option of extending or reactivating your perpetual licenses.
Please note: Both Sage 300 and Sage 300C are installed “on premises”. If you want to outsource and minimize expenditures on your own IT infrastructure, you can host Sage 300 or 300C with 3rd party providers and access the system over the internet, however Sage 300 is not sold on a pure SAAS cloud model.
Difference #2 – HTML5 Web screens and 24/7 Access to the Software Via the Web
Sage 300C provides full featured access to your familiar Sage 300 programs through a web browser. (The legacy Windows based user interface is still available as in the past.)Â Currently, Sage 300C has over 120 web screens available, which run parallel to the classic desktop.
You can also customize fields, field labels, navigation menus, widgets etc., and rename labels on web-screens.
Difference #3 Additional benefits to move to Sage 300C
Sage is expected to continue to add new features to provide their customers greater value when using Sage 300C.
Here are a few benefits you will enjoy when using Sage 300C:
- Get 24/7 access to Sage 300C via the internet
- Customize and use web-screens
- Design financial reports with Sage Intelligence Report Designer
- Generate forecasts and create purchase recommendations using Sage Inventory Advisor Basics
- Get access to additional connected services, including Accounts Payable automation, Budgeting and Planning, and (coming soon) Sage eCommerce.
- More efficient use of the system because of the new Notes feature (a very helpful utility to make useful rule based information available to Sage 300C users)
Difference #4 – Software Is Available In Different Bundle Offerings
Sage 300C is available as an Essentials, Advanced or Complete bundle offering with different add-on options.
Sage 300 is sold as a Financial or Distribution bundle. You also have the option of purchasing the modules a-la-carte. (This option goes away after September 30, 2017.)
Next Steps:
We strongly encourage you to talk to your Front-Line Systems partner before you decide on how you want to proceed with Sage 300. We look forward to talking to you.
Other Sage 300 Resources: Get Access to the Ultimate Sage 300 Guide
About Front Line Systems
Front Line Systems is a business technology consulting firm, with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are dedicated to helping businesses solve their accounting, manufacturing and warehouse concerns. We believe that your business has an amazing capacity for innovation and growth and that technology can help get you there.
Front Line Systems is a technology partner that solves problems and creates solutions for the life of your business. We provide ERP Consulting, Warehouse Management Consulting and CRM Consulting Services in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Connecticut (New England) and serve clients across the US. Contact us at 866-435-0243 today.
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