Today most business owners realize that they must embrace technology in the work place to remain competitive.  So the question is no longer whether to automate the business, but rather, what is the correct balance of manual and automated processes.

Like investments of other types,  the concept of diminishing returns applies here as well.  There is an optimal point at which additional investment yields additional complexity, maintenance, cost, etc, without a corresponding positive impact to the business's operations.
 One rule of thumb to employ is to think of a technology investment as a lever.  Like a well placed lever, the appropriate technology investment will enable a company to lift a disproportionately heavy load without increasing human capital.  As in the tale of David and Goliath, David was able to slay the giant with innovation.

So how does this philosophy translate into action?

The 4.4 Sage MAS 90 update contains many new features that clients have been requesting for years and have now been included in the basic product feature set as part of Sage’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions to customer’s business needs.

All Sage MAS 90 version 4.4 users currently on maintenance have access to these new tools.  Register here to arrange for this install today!

                                            2011 Form 941

Just didn’t want this to get lost in all the other cool new features of the new Sage MAS 90 release.  Those of you using the payroll module (you know who you are!) will need this for printing form 941 for this year.  California EDD has new requirements for form DE9C which may require an alignment adjustment on your state quarterly return.  Register here if you need help with this.

Expense Distribution Tables  (my favorite!)

Streamline entry of standard Sage MAS 90 AP invoices when you need to regularly allocate expenses across multiple accounts or departments.  The new Expense Distribution Table feature allows you to pre-define your GL account distribution and percentages.

Company-Specific Background Colors

If you regularly work in multiple companies, you may find it frustrating when you get halfway through a journal entry and find out you’re in the wrong company!  Now you can define an easily identifiable background for each of your companies with the new Sage MAS 90 4.4.

The time to implement a social media policy is now.

Your social media policy outlines for employees your companies guidelines or principles for communicating in the online world.  Your company should have a communications policy in place that spell out your expectations for phone and email, it’s important that you add social media and online site usage to this policy.