Integrating Sage ERP With Cloud-Based Apps

“Apps” seems to be the latest buzz word in today’s technology world.  We have apps for our cell phones, apps for our iPads and other tablet computers, and now there are even apps for your ERP system.  That’s right – Sage is now teaming up with other partners to create apps that integrate with their ERP systems.  Here’s the latest on how Sage is using cloud-based apps to deliver you a better product.

Last year, Sage announced the Connected Services program.  This year much progress has been made on the program, and Sage now offers several of the Connected Services that integrate with MAS 90, 200, and 500.  The idea of Sage Connected services is to allow Sage users to go beyond their base Sage application and connect to the power of the cloud.  Each Sage Connected Service is plug-and-play  with the existing Sage ERP system, allowing data to flow freely between the cloud and the ERP system without a complicated installation process. 

There are currently apps that integrate with MAS 90, 200 and 500 for calculating sales tax, credit card processing, and monitoring business credit.  The Sage Sales Tax app is powered by AvaTax and automatically researches the jurisdiction and calculates the sales tax on a particular transaction.  Sage Payment Solutions is a PCI compliant connected service for credit card processing.  Sage SmartBusiness Reports is powered by Experian and allows Sage customers to monitor their own credit or that of their customers.  In addition to the three connected services above, there are two more connected services for MAS 90/200.  Sage eMarketing for SageCRM allows you to create customized email campaigns.  Federal and State e-Filing  and Reporting populates tax forms with employee and vendor data, and then gives options to e-file or print and mail your forms. 

Sage is currently working on a standardized marketplace for these apps that will be accessed from inside the ERP system.  Think about it like the App store for the iPhone or the Android Marketplace.  This will allow you to easily shop for apps that work with your ERP system. 

This is just one of many ways the cloud is coming to businesses everywhere.  Other uses of cloud-based technology include hosted ERP systems (see our product features on SYSPRO BusinessLive and MAS 90 Online), and collaboration applications such as Microsoft Office 365.  Stay tuned to see how else the cloud can help your business.