Newsletter Solutions from the Strategists
Spring 2005
Inside this Issue:
  • Save These Dates
  • Federally Required Changes to Form 941 - March 31, 2005
  • FRx 6.7 Performance Update for MAS 90 and MAS 200 V. 4.05
  • SSI Expands Office Space
  • SSI Adds Two New Product Lines: MAS 500 and SalesLogix
  • Solution Strategists Named to Elite Technology Pacesetter List
  • MAS 90 and MAS 200 Tech Tip
  • Welcome Colin Warren and Peter Ormon to the SSI Team

    • Save These Dates

    Please mark your calendar for our upcoming User Group meetings. User Groups are a great way to learn more about your software, network with other users and talk with your SSI team. A formal invitation along with an agenda will be forthcoming. For your convenience, we will host the same meeting in both New Jersey (Thursday, June 16, 8:30 - noon) and NYC (Thursday, June 23, 8:30 - noon).

    Federally Required Changes to Form 941 -
    March 31, 2005

    Beginning with the first quarter of 2005 (ending March 31), the IRS has determined that a new Form 941 and Form 941 Schedule B is required. This new two-page format differs significantly from the format of Form 941 provided in all released versions of MAS 90 and MAS 200 Payroll. The necessary changes to the Form 941 printing programs will be available for download from Sage Software's support website after March 28, 2005, for versions 3.71, 3.72, 4.0, and 4.05. For more details or for any assistance on downloading the forms, please contact our support desk.

    FRx 6.7 Performance Update for MAS 90 and MAS 200 V. 4.05

    We are happy to announce the availability of service pack 3 for Microsoft® FRx version 6.7. Service Pack 3 addresses critical FRx performance issues that were introduced as part of the MAS 90 4.0 and FRx 6.5 release and continued through the MAS 90 4.05 and FRx 6.7 release. To ensure that all FRx performance issues have been solved, the service pack was distributed to a set of MAS 90 4.05 customers for validation. Each of these customers has verified with Sage Software that they no longer are experiencing these performance issues. It is recommended that all MAS 90 4.05 customers using FRx set aside time to download service pack 3 from BOSS. Release notes and installation instructions are included with the update. A similar update for MAS 90 4.0 and FRx 6.5 customers is also available. Please visit BOSS for late-breaking news and updates: http://shop.bestsoftwareinc.com.

    SSI Expands Office Space

    SSI has relocated to larger offices to accommodate our growing team and our clients. The new space is approximately three-and-a-half times the old space and includes a first-class training facility and conference room. The office is convenient to New Jersey Transit's bus and train station. Look for an invitation to an upcoming open house and enhanced training schedule.

    SSI Adds Two New Product Lines:
    MAS 500 and SalesLogix

    In alignment with our mission of providing world-class products and service to our clients, SSI is pleased to announce the addition of two new product lines: MAS 500® and CRM-powerhouse SalesLogix®, both by Sage Software. Below is a brief description of each product. If you are interested in learning how either product can improve internal efficiencies within your organization, please contact us.

    MAS 500 - A place to grow for your enterprise accounting needs.
    MAS 500 is a complete enterprise management solution that was developed to help progressive companies streamline operations, manage with insight and springboard to the next level. MAS 500 includes modules that handle customer relationship management (CRM), financials, distribution, manufacturing, human resources, payroll, project accounting and e-commerce. The product provides a flexible, scalable and full-featured business management solution.

    Some of MAS 500's features are:

    SalesLogix - An integrated approach to CRM
    SalesLogix is the customer relationship management solution that enables your businesses to acquire, retain and develop profitable customer relationships. Some of SalesLogix's features include:

    SalesLogix Sales
    Increase productivity by automating key aspects of the selling cycle, maximize team selling effectiveness with advanced sales tools and make informed decisions based on accurate visibility into the sales pipeline.

    SalesLogix Marketing
    Identify and target the most profitable prospects, manage and track all aspects of campaigns in one place and analyze campaign ROI to increase marketing efficiency.

    SalesLogix Customer Service
    Resolve customer questions, issues and requests quickly for a high-quality customer experience, capitalize on new selling opportunities and provide convenient self-service solutions to customers. If you are interested in learning more about either MAS 500 or SalesLogix, please contact Art Nathan.

    Solution Strategists Named to
    Elite Technology Pacesetter List

    For the fifth consecutive year, SSI has been named as a Technology Pacesetter. This list recognizes firms that provide business management applications across the nation and is published by Accounting Today and Accounting Technology magazines. Firms are selected based on awards won by the organization, leadership, industry reputation, and growth. The recipients represent the best of the best and are exemplary role-model businesses that distinguish themselves through their performance. SSI attributes our inclusion on the list to our exemplary team and loyal clients, thank you.

    MAS 90 and MAS 200 Tech Tip

    Export Lookup Lists for Version 4.0 and higher
    Lookup lists in all modules and grids displayed in General Ledger can export information directly to Excel.

    1. While in any lookup window, click the Excel button.
    2. Excel is automatically launched with a new workbook containing the contents of the Lookup list.
    3. All rows and columns are exported. If the Lookup has been customized or filtered, only those records that actually appear in the list will be exported.
    4. The data in Excel can be modified as needed; however, this feature cannot be used to import data.
    Welcome Colin Warren and Peter Ormon
    to the SSI Team

    SSI is pleased to welcome Colin Warren and Peter Ormon to our team. Their experience, focus on client satisfaction and expert skill sets will benefit our current SSI team, as well as our clients.

    Colin Warren, Director CRM, Programming & Development
    With more than 17 years of sales and marketing experience managing the sales efforts of service-related companies, Colin Warren has created turn-around business development plans, yield-management processes, incentive and motivational training programs and multi-directional sales and marketing plans. Colin joins SSI to bring the power of CRM to our clients. Along with his vast knowledge, relevant business experience and expertise with ACT! and SalesLogix software solutions, Colin hopes to bring value to SSI clients and tools to grow your business.

    Prior to joining SSI, Colin was the CRM Practice Leader for Don Aux Associates, a management consulting firm specializing in business process consulting. His focus was to successfully implement technology solutions that supported the needs and goals of each client's overall business strategy. He also is an adjunct professor at William Paterson University. Colin is a graduate of Bryant University.

    Peter Ormon, Senior Consultant, Programming & Development
    Joining our development group, Peter Ormon brings two decades of practical business knowledge and technical expertise. As a former systems analyst at AT&T and developer of custom software applications at Information Strategies Group, Peter is able to identify and analyze clients' needs from both a business and technical perspective and recommend practical resolutions. Peter has developed a variety of custom scalable applications that enhance business productivity utilizing the latest technology and integrating various applications. He has expertise with SQL, Visual Basic and an array of other development tools. He is also a Saleslogix Certified Engineer and a graduate of Hobart College.


    Referring a client to Solution Strategists is the greatest compliment you can give us. We appreciate your trust in us to help your colleagues with their business management application needs. If you know someone who could benefit from our services, please contact Art Nathan.

    A Note from Art

    The other day I heard a story about a caterpillar. It was a simple one that went like this: Suppose you were very young and didn't know anything about science and someone showed you a caterpillar, and said "One day, this will be a beautiful flying thing that everyone will admire." What would you have thought?

    Well, spring is upon us, and it is a time of rebirth. Why not apply that concept to your work and to your company? Why not try to look for hidden butterflies, for they may be all around you but hidden from sight? What could your systems do for you that you haven't even imagined? What pains would disappear? What processes could be made simpler and more profitable?

    In business, you should make every day spring. Enjoy the warmth and sunshine, and remember there are those all around you who also want to help make your days filled with butterflies - cherish them and don't forget to say "thank you."

    Sage Software Promotions

    The below promotions expire at noon on March 31, 2005, unless noted otherwise:

    • Last chance to move from character-based MAS 90 to Windows at a savings of 25% on all registered modules.
    • $400 per user credit when you move from MAS 90 to MAS 200.
    • Save $200 when you purchase F9.
    • 20% off all Paperless Office Extended Solutions, plus free Electronic Forms Delivery.
    • 15% off Sales Order, Credit Card Processing or any Sales Order Extended Solutions.
    SalesLogix Promotions
    • Save $75 per user when you purchase SalesLogix - note, this promotion expires June 30, 2005.
    MAS 500 Promotions
    • Save up to 10% on the purchase of FAS Asset Accounting (expires April 15, 2005).
    • 15% off Business Alerts.
    • 15% off Customizer.
    • 15% off Multi-User FAS SQL

    Product Descriptions

    MAS 90 is an industry-leading business management software solution for small and medium-sized companies.

    Recommended by more CPAs than any other application in its class, this product suite offers a broad selection of feature-rich modules that empower customers with the ability to manage accounting, distribution, and manufacturing to help grow their businesses more effectively. The client/server application (MAS 200) incorporates thin-client technology, resulting in more efficiently distributed processing, high performance, enhanced data integrity and reliability, remote access support, and scalability. MAS 200 is also available on the SQL Server database management platform.

    MAS 500®
    MAS 500 is a reliable, robust and integrated series of business applications that provide comprehensive functionality for companies with 20 to 1,000 employees, including advanced financials, distribution, manufacturing, CRM, human resources, project accounting, and e-commerce. MAS 500 is flexible, scalable and full-featured, delivering a total business management solution.

    SalesLogix®
    SalesLogix is the customer relationship management (CRM) solution that drives sales performance in small and medium-sized businesses through Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support automation and back-office integration. SalesLogix provides an affordable, flexible CRM solution with high return on investment.

    Abra Suite®
    Designed for ease of use and comprehensive HR ability, Abra Suite is the industry-leading, Windows-based Human Resources Management System (HRMS) solution that offers total management of payroll processing, recruiting, attendance, training, benefits administration, and compliance. Abra Suite provides a single, seamlessly integrated database and powerful reporting tools to help small and medium-sized businesses increase productivity and tackle challenging HR issues.

    FAS® - Fixed Assets
    FAS solutions from Sage Software deliver powerful, easy-to-use fixed asset management solutions to businesses of all sizes. FAS provides construction in progress management, fixed asset depreciation calculations for financial and tax reporting, asset inventory reconciliation, and customized reporting - all at an affordable price.




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