WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Things have changed quite a bit since the Sage 100 subscription license option was introduced a few years ago. Today, the difference in product features and capabilities between a “classic” Sage 100 perpetual license versus a subscription license has widened. Here’s a closer look the difference between Sage 100 Subscription vs Perpetual license.
Subscription License Basics
Before exploring the difference between subscription and perpetual in terms of features and modules, let’s dispel a couple of myths or commonly misunderstood of a subscription license.
First, some people think that with a subscription, all of your data has to be in the cloud. So, it’s worth pointing out that subscription license holders can store data on premises, but also have the option of hosting on Microsoft Azure or other cloud-based Sage hosting provider of your choice.
Second, some customers think they’ll lose control over the timing of upgrades. However, Sage realizes that some customers have heavily customized Sage 100 or are running a number of 3rd party Sage add-ons and need more time and planning between upgrades. So Sage provides customers with a period of up to 12 months following a new release to choose when you want to update your software, on your schedule.
See Also: Named License vs Concurrent License (Pros and Cons)
First, some people think that with a subscription, all of your data has to be in the cloud. So, it’s worth pointing out that subscription license holders can store data on premises, but also have the option of hosting on Microsoft Azure or other cloud-based Sage hosting provider of your choice.
Second, some customers think they’ll lose control over the timing of upgrades. However, Sage realizes that some customers have heavily customized Sage 100 or are running a number of 3rd party Sage add-ons and need more time and planning between upgrades. So Sage provides customers with a period of up to 12 months following a new release to choose when you want to update your software, on your schedule.
See Also: Named License vs Concurrent License (Pros and Cons)
Difference in the Newest Features
Here’s a summary of newer features released in Sage 100 2020 that are available with a subscription license, but not perpetual:
Purchase Order
Apply multiple purchase orders to one receipt, invoice, or return, for the same vendor.
Accounts Payable
Reverse an entire check run to make this process easier. No need to manually reverse each check if the entire batch needs to be reversed (as was required in previous software versions).
Lot/Serial Tracing
More advanced and detailed options for traceability and tracking expiration dates. Trace all movements of a lot/serial item from the time it is received to when it is shipped to the customer. Know where every item originated, how it was prepared or processed, if it is a component of another item, where is it stored and to whom it was sold.
Lot/Serial Expiration Dates
Enter expiration dates automatically whenever a lot/serial tier is created, as items are received into inventory or produced through Bill of Materials to help prevent shipping or issuing items which have expired.
Bank Reconciliation
Connect directly to electronic bank feeds and automatically reconcile transactions.
Accounting and Finance
Net Balance button is available in the A/P Invoice Data Entry Lines tab, A/P Repetitive Invoice Entry Lines tab, and the General Ledger Distribution screen in A/P Manual Check and Payment Entry that automatically adds the undistributed balance to the current line to save time and manual adjustments.
Other Notable Features
A collection of other smaller, but potentially time-saving features in Sage 100 subscription version include enhanced search with auto complete, ability to set warehouses as inactive, consolidated sales order invoicing, custom theme settings (fonts, colors, etc.), and a handy spell check tool.
Purchase Order
Apply multiple purchase orders to one receipt, invoice, or return, for the same vendor.
Accounts Payable
Reverse an entire check run to make this process easier. No need to manually reverse each check if the entire batch needs to be reversed (as was required in previous software versions).
Lot/Serial Tracing
More advanced and detailed options for traceability and tracking expiration dates. Trace all movements of a lot/serial item from the time it is received to when it is shipped to the customer. Know where every item originated, how it was prepared or processed, if it is a component of another item, where is it stored and to whom it was sold.
Lot/Serial Expiration Dates
Enter expiration dates automatically whenever a lot/serial tier is created, as items are received into inventory or produced through Bill of Materials to help prevent shipping or issuing items which have expired.
Bank Reconciliation
Connect directly to electronic bank feeds and automatically reconcile transactions.
Accounting and Finance
Net Balance button is available in the A/P Invoice Data Entry Lines tab, A/P Repetitive Invoice Entry Lines tab, and the General Ledger Distribution screen in A/P Manual Check and Payment Entry that automatically adds the undistributed balance to the current line to save time and manual adjustments.
Other Notable Features
A collection of other smaller, but potentially time-saving features in Sage 100 subscription version include enhanced search with auto complete, ability to set warehouses as inactive, consolidated sales order invoicing, custom theme settings (fonts, colors, etc.), and a handy spell check tool.
NOTE: a variety of other new features are scheduled for Sage 100 2021 subscription version that won't be available with a "classic" perpetual license.
Difference in Modules and Bundles
In addition to the detailed features and capabilities discussed above, a few modules and add-on bundles are available in Sage 100 subscription, but are not found in the perpetual license option as follows:
- Sage Operations Management
- Sage AP Automation
- Mobile Scanning and Multi-bin Warehousing
- Sage Budgeting and Planning
- Sage Contact (Office 365/Outlook Integration)
- More …
The Future Seems to be in Sage 100 Subscription
While Sage remains fully committed to supporting customers on a classic perpetual license, the reality is that a lion’s share of new features and technological advancements will be directed at the Sage 100 subscription product going forward.
New product releases will focus on enhancing or developing new capabilities for subscription licenses, as well as maintenance and compliance updates. Perpetual licenses will be maintained on a maintenance and compliance level only.
In short, the functional gap between the two will continue to grow.
New product releases will focus on enhancing or developing new capabilities for subscription licenses, as well as maintenance and compliance updates. Perpetual licenses will be maintained on a maintenance and compliance level only.
In short, the functional gap between the two will continue to grow.
HAVE A QUESTION OR NEED SUPPORT?
Contact your Sage 100 Partner if you have questions about subscription pricing or what's involved in migrating your system from a perpetual license.
