Summary – Sage 50cloud

Sage 50cloud Accounts isn’t a cloud application in the way you’d think of cloud.  It’s technically known as a “cloud-connected” application.

The most important thing to note is – when Sage talk about ‘cloud’ is that in no way is your data or software on the cloud. 

What is Sage 50cloud then?

Back in the day, Sage 50 Accounts (or Line 50 for those of us old enough) was originally written for small businesses, typically with a single bookkeeper using a single PC.

Some of the underlying code and files are the same original flat files. This type of data structure and database isn’t designed for use on the internet.

The ‘cloud’ bit of Sage 50cloud is actually referring to cloud-based add-ons and services that can be used with the Sage 50 Accounts application. 

Such as:

• Remote Data Access (aka Sage Drive) – allowing remote users to view and process data.

• Microsoft 365 integration – linking customer\supplier records with Outlook and documents with One Drive.

• Bank Feeds – download, match, create new transactions and confirm matches from the bank.

• Invoice Payments – request and receive payments from customer by card, using Stripe or PayPal.

Sage 50cloud is a way of adapting and allowing some extra remote options for the existing customer base.

With Remote Data Access, the data is not stored\saved in the cloud, but uses cloud to sync between PC’s to allow a remote user to view and process data. 

When remote users access data, Sage 50 Accounts downloads a copy of the up-to-date data, locally to their PC each time they connect.

The application then syncs data back and forth between PC’s. What this means is you still need to install the software onto all your users’ PCs. This synchronisation is what is referred to as ‘Remote Data Access’ and it has a prerequisite of a 2Mbps minimum upload and 4Mbps minimum download speed. 

Also note that the Sage 50cloud main site, hosting the data, must remain in operation so that the remote users can gain access to the most recent data.

What can you do to get true cloud?

Remote Data Access is theoretically a great idea because the sage data and program is local at all sites.  However, if anyone in your team, or the office have low broadband speed or internet connection issues, you will most likely experience data corruption and data loss.

If you’d like to continue with the Sage 50cloud Accounts software, GCC can supply and support the application hosted and secured in Microsoft Azure.

If you are looking for a true cloud solution, then Sage 50cloud is not the answer.

Better alternatives would be the cloud-native solutions such as Sage 200 Standard and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Additional Information

GCC are running a FREE online workshop – ‘Hosting Sage accounting software in the cloud with Microsoft Azure‘ on Thursday 23rd June.

Join us to explore cloud IT options and the choices available for hosting Sage Accounting systems in the cloud.

For further information and to register your place – click here.

Further Information

If you have any questions about this or need assistance, then please contact the GCC Group Support Team on 0345 260 1151 or servicedesk@gccgroup.co.uk

Making tax digital – All the changes you need to be aware of from April 2022

Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT, businesses are required to file their VAT returns electronically using accounting software and need to keep digital records of their transactions.

MTD was mandatory from April 2019 for businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT registration threshold, currently £85,000.

In April 2021 if your business is voluntarily registered for VAT, but you are not registered for MTD, needed to make manual VAT submissions using the HMRC website portal, or register for MTD.

From April 2022, all VAT registered businesses must sign up for MTD for VAT, even if their taxable turnover is below the VAT registration threshold.

You will be required to comply with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules. This includes:

• Signing up with HMRC for MTD for VAT.
• Ensuring you have MTD for VAT compliant software.
• Maintaining digital business records for the purposes of VAT.
• Submitting VAT Returns through compliant software.