We are HIGHLY encouraging all end-users to use our services to successfully complete their upgrade to Level 4.05 - 4.1. Due to the large amounts of changes in the functionality and data schema, there are many items that must be checked and verified prior to beginning the upgrade. In addition, there are several new features (e.g., Security) that MUST be implemented with the upgrade. Choosing to do this upgrade on your own could create a situation where your system is down for an extended period of time, which could be detrimental to your business. Therefore, we believe it is essential for you to use our services to complete this upgrade successfully and minimize your down-time. For complete information on our upgrade methodology, please see the following document: upgrade.pdf.

As always, we are committed to assisting our end-users when they face issues. However, we will be resolving these issues in a first come first served basis and will give those end-users that are using our services for upgrades priority attention. Therefore, this could cause a delay in providing you with a working solution and could impair your company's ability to use the software. Again, why we recommend you utilize our services to successfully complete the upgrade.

We have successfully completed many upgrades for our clients since the release of Level 4.0. These have been both at Levels 4.0, 4.05 and 4.1. Proper planning and conservative time scheduling are essential to a "pain-free" upgrade. We believe we have developed the most efficient and effective approach for our clients to upgrade their Sage MAS 90 and 200 systems and welcome the opportunity to assist you. The first step, however, is to make certain we are aware that you would like to begin the upgrade process. Once we have that information, we will be contacting you to schedule the upgrade planning meeting, which is the first step on our plan.

Anyone that has enhancements on their system must wait until they receive the enhancement for Level 4.1. Due to the large number of upgrades to be completed, we are not scheduling any planning meetings or upgrades for end-users with enhancements until they have received the Level 4.1 enhancement from the developer. Please notify us once you have received all of your enhancements for Level 4.1 and then, we will begin the planning and upgrade process.

Based on our current plans and estimates, we anticipate an engagement to upgrade your Sage MAS 90 system to Level 4.1 will require 24 - 40 hours of services (or $3,000 - $5,000). Of course, these fees may be lower or higher, based upon the complexity of your system. Once we have completed your planning meeting, we will issue an engagement letter to you that includes fees particular to your installation and takes into consideration all of the specifics of your system. Please Note: Sage MAS 200 upgrades will require 5 - 20 hours of additional service depending on the size and location of your Sage MAS 200 client workstations.

As we begin this process and move forward on actual upgrades, we are scheduling approximately two upgrades per week. Most likely those upgrades will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This provides additional time within that week to address issues that arise and not require any rescheduling of the other projects and upgrades we are conducting.

After hours upgrades are an option, but must be planned for in the planning meeting. And, the time spent performing services after normal business hours will be billed for at 1 ½ times our normal rate. They are also subject to scheduling availability with the Steward Consulting staff.

During the upgrade plan, we will be conducting the appropriate amount of training, per your request as identified during the planning meeting, for the successful implementation of the new version. Complete feature and functionality training can be obtained through our training center at our new Level 4.05 and 4.1 training courses. Please watch your e-mail and check our web-site for the latest in training dates and times.

Yes, there are several pieces of the Sage MAS 90 and 200 software that is changing and causing certain functions to be retired. A sample list of these items includes: Custom Financial Statements (if using an account number larger than 9 digits), Report Master for Library Master & General Ledger, Import Master, etc. A complete discussion of these types of items will occur during your upgrade planning meeting.

Yes. A data migration tool is included with the Level 4.05 version. However, the migration utility requires your current Sage MAS 90 and 200 data be quality data. There are several instances where the migration utility may fail if data integrity issues are found. Due to this reason, we will conduct a data integrity check as one of the steps of our upgrade process.

There are numerous features throughout Library Master, General Ledger, Custom Office, Accounts Receivable, Sales Order, Bank Reconciliation, and global areas in the software. They are too numerous to list here. However, a complete discussion of these new features will take place during your upgrade planning meeting. You may also take a look at the features offered in each release of software by viewing the following Feature Sheets:
Level 4.0 Enhancements: MAS90_MAS200_4.0 Enhancement
Level 4.05 Enhancements: MAS90_MAS200_4.05 Enhancement
Level 4.1 Enhancements: MAS90_MAS200_4.1 Enhancement

We have appointed Jacki Crawford in our office as our Sage MAS 90 and 200 Level 4.05 - 4.1 liaison. She is coordinating all upgrade appointments and schedules and working to make sure all items are in place to successfully complete each upgrade. You may reach Jacki at: jcrawford@stewardconsulting.com or at 918.299.7514.