Moving your IT infrastructure to the cloud is gaining popularity, but some companies remain on the fence whether to make the switch or continue with an on-premise system. There are many benefits to consider that may tip the scales in favour of migrating to the cloud, especially now that the power of Sage 200 Professional is available on the industry-leading Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure.

How cloud computing will improve your business

According to the Cloud Industry Forum research, customers sited the following benefits:

1. Invest in your business, not hardware. 72% of UK companies surveyed saw decreases in operational costs*. When you have a traditional, in-house data centre, you become beholden to maintaining hardware. While updates will help keep everything current for a short time, eventually the hardware will become too aged to continue. Replacing hardware gets expensive, and there will be a need to budget for new equipment on a regular basis. The result is, you must balance investing in hardware versus other areas that could grow your business.
2. Focus on growing your business. Managing existing IT infrastructure is time-consuming, at times unpredictable, and requires specialised personnel to manage it. With cloud computing, you enable a trusted cloud service provider to manage the complexities of security, upgrades, and maintenance for your business critical applications, such as Sage 200, freeing your team up to run and grow the business.
3. Respond for business continuity. 65% of businesses surveyed believe cloud working offers them the agility to seize opportunities, and respond to risks*. For a business to grow it must be flexible, agile and have the ability to respond and react to market opportunities, as well as threats. With cloud computing, business leaders can access vital business intelligence in real-time. Data-driven decisions from anywhere, at anytime is a distinct business advantage, as managers can explore new opportunities and/or mitigate risks.
4. Leverage the latest technology. 70% of UK companies surveyed believe by accessing critical business applications in the cloud, anytime, anywhere offered them financial stability* – which in turn, offered a greater competitive advantage. As the company grows, a traditional system can be difficult to expand as needed. You may not have the storage capacity, available users, or even new functionality and compliance that the latest release offers you. Moving to the cloud better enables the scalability that you will need to keep up with the network growth demands. A cloud-based system eliminates that problem by offering scalability in a flash.

Now is the time for a cloud-based solution.

Making a move like this is a lot to think about for your business and your customers, but we’re here to help. We can answer any questions you and your team may have about the transition.

Speak with one of our experts today

*Research from the Cloud Industry Forum (https://www.cloudindustryforum.org/content/uk-cloud-adoption-rate-reaches-88-finds-newresearch-cloud-industry-forum)

Sage 200 Professional 2022 R1, released in February 2022, ensure customers benefit from new web screen functionality and new features to support customers’ sales processes.

Web screens

New web screens offer an enhanced user experience and greater flexibility. You can now manage your sales orders, quotes and finances on a browser, – giving you that true cloud experience.

New features

Sales orders

Review more information on your sales orders, see your order line item discount values. Improving efficiency and account management View previously applied discounts direct from the order to better support your customer conversations, and to demonstrate you know your customers’ business for true relationship management.

Quotes

Introduction of cross sell, suggested items and alternative items for quotes, direct from the new web screens. Personalise the customer experience and boost every sale. Show you know your customers business and increase your opportunity with personalised quotes

Print sales orders and quotes

Create an attachment to send via email and/or print your newly created sales orders and quotes, from web screens, direct to your customers. Improve your sales & quote process and never miss and opportunity. Wherever you are, you can simply raise a quote/order and print/email to necessary parties. No waiting to get back in the office, no risk of forgetting to ‘send’. Access your sales order and quotes, anywhere at any time and email and/or print to communicate better with your customers.

Web screen preferences

Ability to remove, re-order columns and remember selection – works on a per user and per company basis. Enhance your productivity with customised view of day-to-day data aligned to your processes. Now you can customize web forms to see the data and information relevant to your role, while saving your ‘view’ to ensure day-to-day you can access Sage 200, set up to optimise your working day.

Expanded API fields

Building out the ability to connect your product with a wide range of additional solutions available from our ISV Marketplace. Updates to the API include functionality for Sales Orders and Quotations. Automation and simplicity – giving you more choice. The new API extensions open the door to a wider ecosystem of ISV solutions to connect your business and enable you to build a truly bespoke solution to suit your businesses specific needs. Share data seamlessly between systems, removing the need for manual intervention

Supported environments

It is vital Sage adapt and update Sage 200 to maintain the latest security protocols and user experience. In response to Microsoft’s announcements on changes to their supported platforms, Sage will be retiring the following supported platforms; Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 11 from this release onwards. With this release, Sage 200 will be adding Windows 11 to our supported platforms and removing the reliance on Internet Explorer.

Flexible cloud deployment option for new and existing customers: The Sage Partner Cloud program offers partners a flexible path to migrate Sage 200 Professional customers and offer new customers a quick and secure method to deploy Sage 200 Professional into a partner owned Microsoft Azure environment.

Download the full Sage 200 Professional 2022 R1 datasheet