Chapter 1
Introducing Sage 50 Accounts
In This Chapter
Introducing the Sage software range
Getting help from the wizard
In this chapter, I introduce you to the Sage 50 Accounts software range. I show you how easily you can install the software and give you a guided tour, so that you can get up and running quickly – essential for busy people!
Sage works on the principle that the less time you spend doing your accounts, the more time you can spend on your business, so makes each process as simple as possible.
I also discuss SageCover, an optional technical support package, which is an addition worth considering. If you experience software problems, SageCover can help. For small businesses, this support is like having an IT department at the end of a phone.
Looking at the Varieties of Sage
Sage’s developers understand that every business is different and that each business has different needs. As a result, they’ve developed a range of accounting software designed to grow with your business, whatever it is. The three levels of Sage 50 Accounts software start with basic features and finish with a product that contains all the bells and whistles you can possibly want! These versions of Sage are:
Sage 50 Accounts: The entry-level program. Sage 50 Accounts provides all the features you require to successfully manage your accounts. You can professionally handle your customers and suppliers, manage your bank reconciliations and VAT returns and provide simple reports, including monthly and year-end requirements. This basic version is suitable for small businesses with a simple structure; those that need basic stock systems, and don’t need systems for project costing, foreign currency or sales/purchase order processing.
Sage 50 Accounts Plus: Contains all the features of the entry model and also allows you to manage project costs versus budgets, control costs of manufactured and assembled products, and has an improved stock control system that you can use to produce bills of materials and allocate stock.
Sage 50 Accounts Professional: Includes all the features of Accounts Plus and adds sales and purchase order processing, foreign trading, bank account revaluation and Intrastat support. Accounts Professional can also handle up to ten users and manage multiple companies. This product is suited to both small- and medium-sized businesses and offers customers a product flexible enough to suit a multitude of different businesses, including those who trade in both the UK and abroad.
