Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/42507
THE SAGE PERSPECTIVE The Sage Business Intelligence Revolution S Sage Business Intelligence, powered by Alchemex, is a solution that provides drag-and-drop reporting for Sage Peachtree, Sage Simply Accounting, Sage ERP MAS 90, Sage ERP MAS 200, Sage ERP MAS 500, and Sage ERP ACCPAC (T is tool was fi rst discussed in the April/May 2011 issue). In the months since its launch, Sage's strategy for supporting business intelligence initiatives in small busi- nesses has become clearer, and some resources and marketplaces have launched, making it easier for end users to implement these reporting solutions. T ese new tools make it easier than ever to have more dynamic and accurate reporting from both mid-range and entry-level business management soſt ware. For more information on how Sage and Alchemex have enhanced their efforts to promote and support Peachtree Business Intelligence, visit CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/peachtree. Here is a summary of what is included: • Self-help manuals • Sage University training courses • Training webinars • Training videos • Customer forums • E-mail newslet ers T e site also has examples of sample reports in a single Microsoſt Excel workbook for those who would like to see examples of the analyses included with the product. While Sage North America has a strategic alliance with Alchemex, it is not the only application that utilizes this reporting tool with business management software. Alchemex business intelligence tools offer integration with many other applica- tions, including Sage Line 50 (UK), Sage Pastel (South Africa), SAP Business One, SYSPRO, and MYOB (Australia). T ese alliances give the product an extremely broad base of potential users worldwide, and provide accountants and consultants with additional opportunities to earn a return on their investment of time and money required to master this platform. Alchemex provides forums for Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP, Technology Editor Brian Tankersley is a Knoxville, Tennessee CPA and consultant whose practice is focused on technology consulting and training for accountants. Brian is a nationally recognized speaker with K2 Enterprises (k2e. com), and blogs on accounting technology at CPATechBlog.com. Comments, suggestions, and errata are always welcome, and should be e-mailed to brian.tankersley@ CPAPracticeAdvisor.com. 24 24 October 2011 October 2011 • www www.CPAPracti consultants and end users to exchange best practices for using the various business intelligence applications on the Business Intelligence Community message boards at ht p://community. alchemex.com. T e site includes over 25 forums with discussions for each supported accounting/ERP applica- tion, a group for sharing report tem- plates with other users, links to archives of weekly topical webinars, as well as specialized forums for Alchemex Certifi ed Professional Consultants, Certifi ed Business Partners, Certifi ed Training Centers, Certifi ed Professional Trainers, and those interested in reselling reports to third parties. T e Alchemex Connector is a tool that extends the capabilities of Sage Business Intelligence and extracts data from most other tools supporting open database standards. T is connectivity permits users to create real-time reporting based on almost any available w.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com system or database. Information from multiple data sources can be combined together and reported using a familiar Excel interface. Figure 1 - Sage Business Intelligence uses open database protocols to create, access, and report on fi nancial and non-fi nancial data contained in Sage ERP applications. (Source: Alchemex) Priced as a $100 add-on to Peachtree Business Intelligence, the Connector simplifies the process of creating real-time data feeds from existing information sources such as vertical industry applications, customer relationship management systems, and internally developed tools in end-user products like Microsoft Access databases. In the months since the launch of Peachtree 2012 is the introduction of online stores where third-party developers sell custom reports for Sage Business Intelligence reports. One such website, T e Intelligence Store (www.TheIntelligenceStore. com), has created a number of free and low-cost reporting templates that work with applications such as Sage Peachtree, Sage Simply Accounting, Sage ERP Accpac, Sage ERP MAS 500, Sage ERP MAS 90/200, and Sage Pastel. T is company also maintains a blog on business intelligence-related topics at http://bxintelligence. wordpress.com. Early feedback indicates that some Sage partners see the Business Intel- ligence tools as a way to leverage their existing reporting skills into interactive, real-time analysis. Although some IT purists are threatened by the move toward self-service business intelli- gence, many analysts, including T e Gartner Group, have acknowledged that Excel is the preferred tool of most business users for analyzing and consuming business intelligence information. Tools like Microsoſt Excel PivotTables and Pivot Charts, the Alchemex Connector, and the Microsoft PowerPivot self-service business intelligence tool for Offi ce 2010 (www.PowerPivot.com) make it possible for accountants to create sophisticated analyses, which were previously only available to the largest companies. The ways companies buy and implement soſt ware will continue to evolve, and both end users and con- sultants must continue to look for ways to provide value in a competitive marketplace. Tools like Sage Business Intelligence create competitive advantage for the organizations who use them as well as the accountants and consultants who learn how to successfully work with them. T ese leaders will be positioned to take advantage of many new opportunities not available to those who ignore this self-service business intelligence revolution. Figure 2 - TheIntelligenceStore.com is a marketplace that sells custom reports for Sage Business Intelligence platforms.