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April,
2004
Issue
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All
you ever wanted to know about upgrading to MAS 90 or MAS
200 Version 4.0 - and more!
By
now, MAS 90 and MAS 200 customers with current Best Subscription
or Support Plans should have received the Version 4.0 CD
set. Keep reading
for the important information you need to start taking
advantage of the significant enhancements in 4.0!
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 Why
Upgrade? |
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1. Features, features, features!
4.0 is chock-full of new enhancements that will make your system
more user-friendly, flexible, and powerful. They include:
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The ability to export
ALE (Advanced Lookup Engine) lookups to Excel in one quick
step. |
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One step bank account
transfers. |
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An expanded General
Ledger account code (32 characters and 10 segments!). |
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New company set-up
wizard. |
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Grid-type data entry in
General Ledger (so you can EASILY personalize screens
according to your needs). |
2. Best Software supports only
the TWO most current versions of MAS 90 and MAS 200 - meaning as of
now, they're supporting only 4.x and 3.7x.
3. MAS 90 and MAS 200 Version
4.05 will be released later this year and you want to be
ready! This release will provide payroll and 1099 updates, and
will incorporate selected Extended Solutions (formerly Macabe
enhancements) for additional benefits to customers on current
Subscription or Support Plans. The next major release, Version
4.1, is scheduled for next summer. Version 4.1 will contain
significant architectural enhancements (like the grid-entry
interface and more) to Accounts Receivable, Sales Order Processing,
RMA, Bank Reconciliation, and eBusiness Manager. Get the
most out of your software investment by utilizing the advanced
technology enhancements that Best Software provides!
4. Version 4.0 comes with a
FREE copy of Business Alerts Select, which monitors your system
data for defined changes and automatically sends an e-mail to notify
you. Business Alerts Select comes with five pre-set alerts: Accounts
Payable Invoice Discount Due, General Ledger Account Balance Exceeds
Budgeted Amount, New Customer Welcome, Opens Orders Over $2,500, and
Past Due Receivables Over $1,000. Let Business Alerts help you keep
an eye on your numbers!
5. MCG is making it easy on you!
See below for more. |
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Upgrade
Considerations |
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The exciting new
features in 4.0 will bring value to your system and
improve your workflow and procedures, but they may
change the way you use your system. The installation and
data conversion process is also completely different
from that of previous upgrades. A partial list of
upgrade considerations follows:
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A different
data file structure in 4.0. |
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New system
and hardware requirements. |
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Completely
revised registration codes and procedures. |
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Enhanced
security requiring creation of new user roles. |
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Products
discontinued in 4.0, like Import Master,
PostMaster, Client Write-Up. |
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Companion
product compatibility (for example, Macabe/Best
Extended Solutions, Hightower and Scanco
software). |
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Maintaining
customizations throughout the upgrade (i.e.,
Visual Integrator or Import Master imports,
user-defined fields in Custom Office, custom
reports, etc.) |
And LOTS more! For
more comprehensive information about upgrade
considerations, see the Version 4.0 Customer Guide on
www.mcginc.com/4.0,
or visit Best's Online Support Services (BOSS) at
http://shop.bestsoftwareinc.com/boss. |
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What
is the upgrade process? |
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Version 4.0 is dramatically
different from previous versions, thus the upgrade process is very
different from previous upgrades. We strongly recommend that MCG
plan and
install your upgrade. MCG experts have thoroughly tested
the 4.0 conversion process and are aware of the system changes and
upgrade procedures; our comprehensive upgrade planning process will
ensure that your system is upgraded efficiently, with minimal
downtime, so that you may begin putting the significant new features
of the 4.0 to work in your business immediately!
Just a few of the upgrade steps:
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Back up your system. |
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Verify you have the
required system configuration and adequate disk space. |
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Upgrade must be
installed parallel. |
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Verify compatibility
of any system modifications, third-party enhancements, or
import/export jobs. |
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Run general ledger
utilities to check for invalid data. |
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Print and retain
menu listing, UDF maintenance listing, Customizer detail
listing, user and menu security listing, sales tax code and
schedule listing. |
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Verify all registers
have been printed and batches updated. |
This is not a comprehensive
pre-upgrade installation checklist! Upgrading to Version
4.0 requires thorough pre-upgrade planning and post-upgrade
verification. |
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How do I
begin?
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1. Click
www.mcginc.com/40.
Click "Are You Ready?", and complete the online form.
2. When you receive the site username and password via e-mail, download
MAS 90 and MAS 200 Supported Platform Matrices and Server and
Workstation requirements checklists. Verify that your system is
compatible with 4.0 (i.e., check off the boxes where
applicable!) and return the checklists to us via fax at
404.841.6243. As always, give us a call at 404.841.6240 if you
have questions!
3. MCG will contact you to
schedule the first step, the upgrade planning meeting. This
brief session will focus on making the decisions needed to
adequately determine the impact of the upgrade on your system.
After this initial planning session, we will provide you with an
estimate of the costs of your upgrade services. MCG offers this
upgrade planning meeting for a flat fee of $150 (for a limited
time only) for its customers. |
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Architects |
Solutions |
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Macdonald
Consulting Group
5605
Glenridge Drive, Suite 500
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
404.841.6240 - 404.841.6243 fax |
Best
Software
MAS 90
• MAS 200 • MAS 500
MIP | Abra | FAS | SalesLogix |
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A
Proven Blueprint for Business™ |
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The
reply e-mail address is not monitored, please do not reply back
to this message.
If you have questions or need more information please e-mail us
at info@mcginc.com
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