Unlike standard reports, DataSelf Analytics make use of a data warehouse, data optimization module, and BI (Business Intelligence) engine to more quickly and easily identify critical activities, trends and KPIs. Read more here.
Former Sage EVP Partners Jennifer Warawa spotted networking at Xerocon (Linkedin)
IRS move toward free e-filing could end years of corporate domination (WP)
InterContinental Hotels Group cyberattack disrupts booking systems (Bleeping Computer)
Watch your back: Here are the 4 kinds of employees most likely to get laid off in the current downturn (Insider)
Apple just announced the new iPhone 14 series — here are the 6 best features we know about so far (Insider)
NEWSLETTER FOR VARS AND ISVS WHO WANT THE INSIDE SCOOP
👉 Now shipping - a new industry newsletter with a focus on mid-market news of interest to consultants/ISVS. Covering Sage, Acumatica, and Microsoft. Email me and I'll add you to the list.
DataSelf Adds "Agent" to Streamline Administration
I'm a big fan of Sage 100 integrations that (a) are easy to install, (b) easy to upgrade and (c) save users time and money.
DataSelf checks all the boxes with their Business Analytics for Sage 100.
With dozens of pre-written dashboard kpi ( key performance indicators ) the solution has also just received an upgrade which adds DataSelf Agent which the company says allows for easier remote administration.
The latest update also doubles the number of built-in data connection sources to ten which now include ODBC, MS SQL, MS Excel, MS Access, CSV, Google Sheets, MySQL, OData, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.
Before you get too excited, keep the following in mind:
You may need to upgrade your enhancements along with this product update - best to check with the developers of any enhancements before installing 2020.6.
You will need to uninstall and reinstall workstation setup on each computer ( this requires local administrator privileges)
Multiple users report that Operations Management - fka Sage 100 Manufacturing and fka Job Ops may not be ready for 2020.6. Check with the developer if you are a user of Operation Management.
Microsoft Offers Basic Auth Re-Enablement Until 12/31/22
Microsoft appears to have offered a slight reprieve for any company not ready for their OAuth secure login requirement for Office 365 which was slated for 10/1/2022.
As you may recall from Microsoft's original announcement of their intent to remove Basic Authentication in favor of more secure OAuth:
For many years, client apps have used Basic Authentication to connect to servers, services and endpoints. It is enabled by default on most servers and services and it’s super simple to set up. Basic Authentication simply means the application sends a username and password with every request (often stored or saved on the device).
Simplicity isn’t at all bad in itself, but Basic Authentication makes it easier for attackers armed with today’s tools and methods to capture users’ credentials (particularly if not TLS protected), which in turn increases the risk of credential re-use against other endpoints or services.
We want your help in getting users to move away from apps that use Basic Authentication, to apps that use Modern Authentication. Modern Authentication (which is OAuth 2.0 token based auth) has many benefits and improvements that help mitigate the issues present in Basic Authentication. For example, OAuth access tokens have a limited usable lifetime and are specific to the applications and resources they are issued for so they can’t be re-used. Enabling and enforcing MFA is also very simple with Modern Auth.
The above was slated to take effect October 1, 2022.
Now Microsoft has delayed implementation until December 31, 2022 ( for those companies who take steps to defer ).
Today we are announcing an update to our plan to offer customers who are unaware or are not ready for this change.
When we turn off basic auth after October 1st, all customers will be able to use the self-service diagnostic to re-enable basic auth for any protocols they need, once per protocol. Details on this process are below.
Once this diagnostic is run, basic auth will be re-enabled for those protocol(s). Selected protocol(s) will stay enabled for basic auth use until end of December 2022. During the first week of calendar year 2023, those protocols will be disabled for basic auth use permanently, and there will be no possibility of using basic auth after that.
SAGE 100 TECHNICAL
Beanworks To Bill for Sage AP Automation
Sage announced on August 15, 2022 that Beanworks by Quadient would take over the billing and account management for Sage AP Automation.
I attended the 9/7/22 webinar concerning these changes and here are my notes:
Effective October 1, 2022
Customers must setup new billing information directly with Beanworks by Quadient
Price adjustment of about +20% - rates hadn't changed since 2019 ( Spoiler: Inflation given as reason )
New modular pricing breaks out this functionality separately (Effective Nov 1, 2022):
Invoices
Purchase Orders
Payments
Expenses
Sage partners will need to execute a partner agreement with Beanworks
Beanworks by Quadient = #1 add-on module for Sage ERP
Inventory license plating plays a crucial role in the identification process to mark a pallet or group of materials and products. Its primary use is to quickly move the group of materials or pallets from one location to another without taking time to scan the individual contents of that group. Read more here and register for ScanForce's 9/15 webinar to see it in action.
According to Sage - versions of Sage Enterprise Intelligence ( SEI ) prior to 7/26/2022 should be either patched or upgraded in order to avoid an unspecified security vulnerability.
There is no patch required if SEI is hosted in the SEI Cloud as those versions are automatically updated.
SEI is a white-labeled version of Nectari which Sage offers for several of their products. It is different from the Sage Intelligence ( SI ) product which Sage owns and also offers with several of their products.
From the Nectari website:
In 2013, Nectari and Sage’s partnership was solidified through a Global Distributor Agreement. Today, Nectari Business Intelligence, rebranded and sold under the name Sage Enterprise Intelligence (SEI) in the Sage portfolio, is sold through hundreds of Sage partners worldwide.
Nectari’s seamless integration with Sage Solutions and rich feature set make Sage Enterprise Intelligence (aka Nectari) the business intelligence solution of choice for thousands of Sage customers worldwide.
OUT OF THE BOX SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE FOR:
- SageIntacct
- SageX3
- Sage500
- Sage100
- SageCRM
- Sage1000
- SageXRT
- Sage300cloud
- Sage 200cloud
Sage has scheduled a full-day remote conference dedicated to the integrated Sage CRM.
From the event site:
Talking CRM is an opportunity for Sage customers and partners to connect and learn more about the business advantage that can be unlocked by using the Sales, Marketing and Service solutions provided by Sage CRM. Talking CRM 2022 takes place on Tuesday 27th September 2022. It's an all day event filled with short sessions covering all aspects of how integrated CRM drives business advantage. Sage partners, prospects and customers are attending to gain insight into Sage's CRM strategy and the opportunities to build, connect and deliver with Sage CRM.
Date: September 27, 2022 10 am to 5 pm BST ( Note: time zone is UK time - 2 am PT / 5am ET )
The opinions and advice supplied in this newsletter are general in nature and represent the views of Wayne Schulz and no other entity or sponsors. You are advised to consult your Sage partner prior to implementing any recommendations or advice from this newsletter.
