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Upgrades On Demand
Users who subscribe to Sage Line 50 on the Online50 service are entitled to upgrade to the latest version once it has been released, but they are not compelled to upgrade. Users choose to upgrade (or not) when it is appropriate for them to do so. Users are also able to have access to more than one version - for example an accountant may support a number of clients with different versions of Line 50. Where one client may choose to remain on version 10, another chooses to run the most recent version, currently (May 2007) this is version 2007. The accountant can run any available version and work with the data of those clients using that version whenever needed.
New versions of software often have new features that users will want to take advantage of, and of course old versions of software cannot be supported indefinitely by the software author. Because of this we would expect to see users moving to newer versions over time. However, as the principles of double entry bookkeeping have not changed users will need a compelling reason to adopt new software while still processing in the same financial year. This is particularly true if a user has encountered problems with upgraded software not functioning as expected in the past.
We have carried out an analysis of the versions of the Sage Line 50 datasets that we host, and the results are presented to the right. We can see that, given the choice, most users are choosing not to adopt the latest version when it is available - indeed most users that join our service are currently not requesting the latest version of the software.
For some software it is more important to be on the latest version. For example, we also host Sage Payroll, and with this software users will need to have access to software that supports the latest legislation. We work with our customers to ensure that they migrate to the new software in keeping with their own processing cycle, minimising disruption and ensuring that they always have access to the latest software for their needs.
To discuss which versions of software are available on our platform please call your account manager. If you are not yet an Online50 customer, but you would like to know how we can help you manage different versions of software, please call the sales desk on 0800 195 0835.
Not Just The Accounts
The Online50 service does not just provide access to accounting software. Using our shared infrastructure users are able to access Microsoft Office, Payroll software, CRM software and others. All software can be taken on a pay as you go basis - you use the software when you need it with 30 day terms.
We are the only licensed provider that currently provides users with acess to Sage Line 50, Sage Payroll and Microsoft Office. With the other software packages available, we can run all of your business software, or just the parts that make sense for you. We have customers for whom we host just their accounts, and others for whom we host everything. You choose what you want hosted, and which of your users has access to which software - we charge you on a pay as you go basis for the software you have subscribed to.
How Safe is Your Data?
We live in an age where data is more valuable than ever. There are regularly stories in the news about stolen laptop computers and the problems wih loss of data. Lost data can cause serious commercial problems (such as loss of order details or customer records) and may be irreplaceable (such as loss of family photographs). We even see cases where people say that the thief can keep the laptop, but they will pay a reward for the data being returned. One professor who had her car stolen with a laptop inside it, generously offered to let the thieves keep her car, if only the data was returned. She had backed up the data onto a memory stick ... but that was in the car as well.
Theft is not the only way in which data can be lost. Fire, flood, hardware failure and human error can all cause data to be lost.
When you use the Online50 service you have your data hosted in a professional environment, spanning two sites. In addition to the system backups that we take each day, you are able to backup data to your own systems, including to a USB memory stick. This allows you to retain complete control over your data, and also to guard against most causes of data loss. Since we provide more than just accounts (see below) you can use your data from anywhere. And because we are hosting standard Windows applications, your data is portable - you can use the same software on your own computer as the software that we host.
If you're not yet an Online50 user and you'd like to discuss how Online50 can host your data and applications, please call our sales desk on 0800 195 0835.
PS: Our research has failed to find any recorded instances of stolen data actually being returned. If you know of any instances where stolen data has been returned we would love to hear from you ...
