Get Ready for MAS 90 and MAS 200 Version 4.1!
MAS 90 and MAS 200 Version 4.1 is the next step in the evolution of the technology introduced in Version 4.0. You'll remember that in 4.0x (that is, 4.0 and 4.05), Sage introduced a completely new technology and data structure in the General Ledger module, with an available expanded general ledger account number size, dual-grid data entry screens, and enhanced role-based system security, among other features.

Version 4.1 expands the new technology to the Sales Order Processing, Accounts Receivable, and RMA modules. Along with the features listed above, the 4.x framework provides ALL bundled reports, including transaction reports, listings and forms, for 4.x modules (General Ledger, Sales Order Processing, Accounts Receivable, and RMA) in Crystal Reports, with a designer that allows you to control the look of reports without a deep knowledge of the system data structure. Multiple report output options are available through the Crystal Viewer, including Word, Excel and Adobe PDF. Business Insights Reporter makes creating custom reports easier with a wizard-based interface to Crystal Reports. Expanded numeric fields and improved memo management are also included in the 4.x upgrades.

This exciting new release brings many changes that will help users be more efficient, however, it affects many system components in a dramatic way. If your system currently uses customized Crystal Reports, character-based forms, report master reports, user-defined fields, FRx reports, or third-party products in the 4.x modules, these will require special implementation to upgrade to 4.1, especially if your system is on a pre-4.x version (i.e., 3.71 or previous).

While preparing for your upgrade, take a moment to think about building more efficiency into your system. Are there functions and processes you would like to implement but weren’t sure how, or didn’t have time to do yourself? Do you suspect that you are not using features that could benefit you? Has your company changed since your system was initially set up, but your MAS system has remained the same? Questions like these are best addressed during the transitional upgrade time, when new features are being introduced.

Thorough planning and testing for the upgrade is essential, and we recommend that you rely on MCG to assist you with this process. Get ready! Visit www.mcginc.com/41 for documents and checklists related to 4.1, and email MCG at info@mcginc.com to schedule your upgrade. We are excited to help our clients take their systems into the new generation of MAS 90 and MAS 200! Sage anticipates the release of Version 4.2, which will bring 4.x technology to Accounts Payable and Purchase Order Processing, to ship in late 2006.