SQL Server for Sage Pro ERP

Many of our Sage Pro customers are aware that there are two options for the backend database - Visual FoxPro and Microsoft SQL. Most installations are still using FoxPro and many customers we have talked to have not considered the benefits of upgrading to SQL. Here are some of the factors that you will want to consider when evaluating the move to SQL.

Advantages - the advantages of SQL are significant:

Reliability - SQL is much more robust and data corruption is a rare occurrence. Transaction logs and rollbacks ensure data entered is correct despite environmental and human inferences.

High Availability - Failover clustering and database mirroring technology in  SQL Server enables enterprises to deliver highly reliable and available application.

Security - SQL server has been designed to help provide the highest level of security for enterprise data through features such as database encryption, password policy enforcement, granular permissions control, and an enhanced security mode.

Scalability. SQL Server features partitioning, replication enhancements, and 64-bit support. There is also no limit to the size of an SQL database, whereas FoxPro is limited to 2 gigabyte per database.

Automated Maintenance - SQL Server provides an extensible framework for proactive database health and performance monitoring. So, no more need for database reindexing. And database backups can be scheduled from within the SQL Server itself and offloaded to another site or server.

Support staff - Easier for clients to find internal support personnel as SQL becomes the mainstream. Maintaining and querying data is easier.

Conversion. Sage Pro has built-in utilities for upgrading FoxPro tables to SQL.

Disadvantages - the disadvantages of SQL are less significant:

Complexity - Working with SQL databases is much more difficult for developers and maintainers, and for those users with customer applications, development costs are higher. Clients with large systems should ideally have a certified Database Administrator (DBA) to insure proper maintenance and functioning of SQL.

Costs - cost differences are minimal, except as noted below:

SQL Server - SQL Server software must be purchased and for larger installations you will want to consider running SQL Server on a separate server. For smaller installations, Sage Pro ERP 7.4 adds one more option for a database backend - SQL Server express. SQL Server Express is a free version of SQL Server and is ideal for small companies  whose total company database size will not exceed 4GB and don't need all the tools provided with standard editions of SQL server.

Sage Pro software - Currently, there is no added cost for purchasing the SQL version of Sage Pro for new customers. For existing systems, there is a minimal cost to upgrade from FoxPro to SQL. If you are running an older version of FoxPro you may need to purchase an upgrade.

Customer applications - The cost to modify and test customer applications can be significant, depending on the nature of the applications. The development language is still FoxPro, but the interface to the backend database is more complex. In some cases, customers may elect to operate in a mixed mode, leaving custom tables in FoxPro and then moving them to SQL when an opportunity arises. 

The bottom line

The cost to modify and test customer applications can be significant, depending on the nature of the applications. The development language is still FoxPro, but the interface to the backend database is more complex. In some cases, customers may elect to operate in a mixed mode, leaving custom tables in FoxPro and then moving them to SQL when an opportunity arises. 

Report from the Annual Business and Technology Conference held October 12, 2007

This year marked the 5th anniversary of the WAC Consulting Group's annual customer conference which assembled over 20 exhibitors and 60 customers, prospects and business partners.

The keynote speaker, Peter Brock, a former New England Patriots lineman, kicked off the meeting with stories from his football career and had the audience riveted as he detailed some of the  physical challenges he overcame through sheer willpower.  If your company stages events and is looking for inspiring and entertaining speakers, let us know, we'll put you in touch with Peter.

The following sessions provided attendees with in-depth details of business technology solutions that could be deployed to enhance their operations, ranging from accounting systems including e-commerce, to just-in-time manufacturing and inventory management solutions to business intelligence dashboards.

If you missed this year's conference, then plan on attending the 2008 event which will be scheduled shortly.

WAC Consulting Named Business Partner of the Year for ERP  Solution

Sage Software recently recognized WAC Consulting by awarding the company it's coveted Business Partner of the Year award, in recognition of the company's efforts in the market place to identify customers' needs and develop the right solutions to help improve their operations.

In this continually changing market place, it is the consistency and excellence of the services delivered by WAC Consulting that customers recognize, and that keep customers loyal.

Make your tax accountant happy

The year is drawing to a close. There are a few things you should probably be doing to get ready for taxes.

The primary activity is to make sure that you have reconciled the general ledger balance sheet accounts. That is, to verify the cash balance to the bank, to reconcile the accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory control, un-billed purchase order receipts and any verification on loan balances and liability accruals that you might have for the year.

The theory is, if your balance sheet has been reconciled to the actual balances, and all is correct, the income statement MUST be correct. The items could be in the wrong account, but the balance in the income statement will be correct.

After a full year of activity, it's always a good idea to do some housekeeping on the general ledger to be sure all of the revenue, cost of revenue and expenses are listed correctly.

This housekeeping exercise will make it easier for your accountant to prepare your year end returns.