Sage released  the 5th Product Update (PU5) to version 4.4 of their Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200. It is now available via a compact download from Sage Online. Product Update 5 delivers new core features and functionality enhancements in Accounts Payable, Inventory Management, and Library Master as an additional onplan benefit. These customer-requested features add more flexibility, streamline workflows, save time and minimize errors in your Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 system. The 941 Form 2011 update is also included in Product Update 5.

There have been a few Hot Fix updates to this Product Update:

• LM4053-T ("Record missing Sy_Workstation.m4t" (MAS 200))
• PO4017-T (Receipt of goods with w.o. updates incorrectly)
• PO4016-T (Error 47 PO_LevelConversion.pvc 1742)
• SO4078-T (Error 65 SO_InvoiceDetail_bus.pvc 2857)

Before installing product update, please note the following:

• We highly recommend that you back up your system before installing any updates or version upgrades.
• Install this Product Update from the same computer that was used to install Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200.
• After installing the product update, run WksUpdate.exe from the server's ..\Mas90\Wksetup folder at each workstation on which you would like to update the local help files.

The following is a list of enhancements have been incorporated for Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 version 4.40 in this Product Update.

Accounts Payable

Multiple Company Aged Invoice Report (similar to AP-1101)

You now have the flexibility to choose to print your Accounts Payable Aged Invoice report in a multicompany format, and combine vendor information across all the companies you select. This can be particularly useful if you have several companies, or unique operating units established as individual companies, in your Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 system. You’ll get a complete picture of your vendors across all your operating units with this new multi-company report. Identify opportunities for improving your bottom-line, by negotiating better volume discounts, or consolidating your orders to save on shipping and delivery charges.

Accounts Payable Check Sorting Options (similar to AP-1077)

In Accounts Payable, you can print checks alphabetically by vendor name, or continue to sort your checks by vendor number. This flexibility allows you to group and mail checks for vendors that have the same name and mailing location, but different vendor numbers across multiple divisions. Consolidating your checks by vendor name may decrease your postage costs.

Expense Distribution Tables (similar to AP-1043)

Streamline the entry of your standard invoices in Accounts Payable when you need to regularly allocate them across multiple departments. The new Expense Distribution Table feature allows you to pre-define your GL account distribution and their percentages, removing the extra steps of keying in the amounts separately each time an invoice needs to be paid. Utilizing up to six alphanumeric characters, assign meaningful codes for your tables. For example, set up a table named RENT for your monthly rent payments by allocating a percent of the $5,000.00 invoice to each of your 6 departments, using their GL codes. When creating a Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 invoice you may select one of the tables for your default distribution.

Inventory Management

Security in Item Inquiry (similar to IM-1111)

To keep your company confidential information secure, four new permission settings can be used to restrict unauthorized access. These new security events allow you the flexibility to prevent your order entry personnel from accessing your standard cost information while still allowing them access to price and the quantity on hand. You can also restrict access to your vendor information, including vendor number and name, and specifics on receipts. New Inventory Management Role Maintenance settings are:

• Allow Access to All Item Inquiry Tabs Including Main and Quantity
• Allow Access to Costing, Receipts, and Vendor Information in Item Inquiry
• Display Standard Cost Information in Item Inquiry
• Display Vendor Information in Item Inquiry

Inactive Items (similar to IM-1244)

You now have the flexibility in Inventory Management to designate an item as Inactive so it can no longer be purchased or sold, while maintaining its associated information. Inactive Items will allow you to process returns using RMA or a credit memo in Sales Order, or maintain history for warranty purposes. This designation can also be used for your seasonal or holiday items that are available only during certain periods of time. The new inactive functionality can be useful for a new product line that you don’t want to be sold until a specific launch date. Your exciting new products can be in your system ready to be activated, and safeguarded from unintended early sales.

Physical Count with Count Cards (similar to IM-1119)

To assist you with conducting a physical count of diverse inventory in a large warehouse, you can now more easily enter your individual count card information. This new functionality will help prevent you from counting the same inventory twice, and is useful when you have the same items located in multiple locations across your warehouse. When you enter your individually numbered count card information, it can be more accurately tracked, and missing cards can be easily spotted. To speed the data entry process, multiple users can enter information that’s been noted on your cards. Once you’ve entered all your count card information, your quantities can be totaled by item for each warehouse, and you can make any necessary adjustments before finalizing your Physical Count reports.

Library Master

Company-Specific Background Colors (similar to LM-1028)

When you establish multiple companies within Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200, you can choose to assign an easily identifiable background for each of the different companies. Color-coding is particularly helpful to ensure entries are made in the correct company. In Company Maintenance you can select these background colors from the normal Windows color-picker pallet, ranging from the basic colors to the definition of custom colors. RGB values can also be entered to produce a specific color. To see how your color selection will display when combined with text, a sample text box window is displayed using your background color.

941 Form 2011 Update

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 4.4 Quarterly 941 eFiling and printing has been updated for the changes to the 2011 IRS 941 Form (Rev. January 2011). Included is a new entry field for Tax Due on Unreported Tips, and the necessary calculation changes to the following form types: Entire Form, Pre-Printed, and Worksheet. Please note that the IRS did not make changes to Schedule B. The 941 Form 2011 Update is also available as a separate download.