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Transmit - the SBS Newsletter.

July 2007

Transpose New Release

We've been busy working on the new release of Transpose, or Sage Import product, and are pleased to announce that we are pretty much there. There are lots of new features including direct import from databases such as Access, MySQL and SQL Server, with no code modifications to Transpose required and therefore no hidden implementation costs. Just point Transpose at the Database Table and the job's done. We can also import Project Charges, Stock Records, Customer and Supplier Accounts, not to mention support for importing and exporting in XML format.

The new versions also include Sample Import files and Database Tables that are created during installation to get you up and running with the minimum of effort. These samples use the Sage Line 50 Demo Data so you can run a trial import within minutes of installation.

I'm pleased to say that Transpose sales have been very good over the last quarter with an increasing take up by developers who need to quickly and easily integrate their applications with Sage Line 50. In many cases we have been able to make modifications to the product for specific requirements at little or no extra cost. New clients include Laundries, Bakeries, Garages, Footwear and Employment Agencies.

Click here for more information about Transpose

Sage Line 50 2007

Sage seem to be mostly on top of all the Line 50 2007 problems now but it is absolutely essential that you check the Sage web site for updates even if you have only recently purchased Line 50. Note that you must apply all the updates in order, they aren't cumulative which I think is pretty poor on Sages part but there you go. Spending a bit more on development and a bit less on Sales and Marketing might be a good idea.

Also be sure to download the latest version of the SDO Engine file (sg50sdoEngine130.dll) if you are using Line 50 2007 with Transpose or any other third party product. Sage use to include the engine as part of line 50 but this is no longer the case. There are several versions of the dll and you must have the latest version installed.

Sage 50 2008

Details of Sage 50 2008 should be available soon. Note the change of name with the "Line" now omitted. As developers we're always last to know what's new in the next release but we'll pass on the information as soon as we know. Expect 2008 to be available around October 2008. As usual, we would recommend you wait before you upgrade unless you have a pressing need for whatever new functions are in 2008 and feel very lucky.

Check out Free Support

If you have a problem with Sage a visit to the Sage Forum might be a good idea. This is a totally independent forum and has some very helpful contributors. Give them a try the next time you have a problem or you might like to give other people the benefit of your own experiences.

Tech Support Dog Fan Club

Tech Support dog (Louis) is getting a bit long in the tooth now but has decided he needs a daily trip to the local bar, he just never buys a round (claims he has no pockets)

PhonixLT

We have a new build of PhonixLT (105) on the web site which consolidates previous upgrades. We are waiting for the new version of ACT! before we release a new version of PhonixLT.

New Products

We also have a new product that might be useful if you need to log user sessions on a Windows Server called Userlog. This is a logging program that records all user logon and log off activity to a database and can produce daily reports as well as an email summary of user activity.

Windows Vista

I think it's fair to say that Vista is pretty much a waste of time if you are a business user. Unless you are prepared to buy new, significantly more powerful hardware, Vista will be slower than your existing systems and apart from a pretty display doesn't seem to deliver any benefits to the business user.

There are significant compatibility problems and a bit of a question mark over things like opportunistic locking (which can't be turned off in Vista). Interestingly Microsoft see XP as still outselling Vista in 2008.

The compelling argument to upgrade in the past used to be the vague hope of getting something that actually worked but we have now had that since Windows 2000 / XP so I would strongly recommend adopting the if it works don't fix it approach.

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