Highlights for Abra HR:

• Support for Active Directory logons.  By linking your Abra login id to your Windows login id, you can eliminate the need for a separate login and password to get into Abra.
• Ability to access Sage Abra Support through a chat link located within Abra.
• Employee Find is faster and includes searches for both first and last names.
• Increased security with SSN/SIN masking for all reports (standard and those created through Secure Query).

Highlights for Payroll:

• Greater flexibility for creating custom payment forms.
• Ability to choose whether or not a check should display in Employee Self Service.

Highlights for Employee Self Service (ESS):

• Sage Employee Analytics has the ability to create custom graphical dashboards (when used in conjunction with Sage Crystal Dashboard Design).  Combine workforce cost and performance data into a high level overview and quickly drill down for more detailed analysis.  These dashboards can be viewed from most web browsers (Safari, IE, Chrome and Firefox).
• The ESS user interface has been overhauled to provide easier navigation and the ability to customize the look and feel of your ESS system.
• The new Time Off Calendar provides managers with a monthly view of employee’s’ pending, approved and rejected time off.
• Employees and managers can access ESS on their mobile devices including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows CE, Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile.
• SSN masking for dependents and beneficiaries in Open Enrollment.
• The new Provider Enrollment Details report allows you to send open enrollment information to the benefit provider prior to sending the enrollment updates to Abra.

For more details about all of the enhancements in version 9.1, please click on the What’s New in Sage Abra v9.1 document.

1. The year has been updated to 2011 on the entire form.
2. A new entry field was added for Tax Due on Unreported Tips.
3. There are no changes to the Schedule B for 2011.

Please contact Aries at (865) 291-0005 x721 if you have any questions.

The folks at 90Minds (of which we are proud members) teamed together to create Ask90Minds.  A free resource for questions regarding:

• Epicor
• Sage Abra HRMS
• Sage Accpac
• Sage MAS 90
• Sage MAS 200
• Sage MAS 500
• SageCRM
• SAP Business One
• Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Open Systems
• Traverse

Why would you use Ask90Minds instead of the software publishers’ knowledgebases?  Because you want the real answers from real technology consultants who have years of in the field experience with companies just like yours.

90Minds is a network of 27 independent technology consultants who work everyday with a variety of business management software applications.  These consultants provide assistance with advanced technical questions.

In addition to technical support questions, you will find a rich and constantly expanding library of how-to articles, common mistakes and issues encountered with new software versions.

All of these articles are written in clear, easy to understand language that is unbiased by software publishers.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.

AccuForce and Aries team members worked collaboratively to scope the projects, breaking them into smaller projects to fit their budget and timeline.  Our first project was to redesign the General Ledger chart of accounts.  Due to many of the accounts being set up incorrectly from the start,  financial statements were not accurate.  We provided AccuForce with a fixed, budgetable price for the project and agreed on a timeline for completion of the project to coincide with their producing year-end financial statements.

Future projects include providing ongoing technical support, a MAS 200 upgrade which will allow them to take advantage of new features such as PositivePay for Bank Reconciliation, and eliminating manual entry of payroll transactions by using MAS 200′s Visual Integrator module to automatically import those transactions.  These projects will allow AccuForce to run their business more effectively and efficiently.

“AccuForce Staffing Services, LLC is a world-class, technology-forward staffing company committed to helping individuals find the careers they desire and assisting companies find the kind of employees to make their business a success by concentrating on talent and fit.”

The social security tax rate is being reduced from 6.2% to 4.2% for employees (the employer portion is still 6.2%) for 2011.  The social security tax wage base limit also remains unchanged at $106,800.  Both the employee and employer Medicare tax rates remain unchanged at 1.45%.  For more details, click here.  According to the IRS, employers technically have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new rate.  However, I doubt many employees will want to wait that long.  By using the procedures detailed below, you can start using the new tax tables on your first 2011 payroll.

In the past, MAS payroll users have simply copied their live payroll company to a backup company and closed the year in the live company to start processing payroll for the new year.  The new tax tables were not installed until after the W-2′s were printed.  The reason behind not installing the new tables until after W-2 printing is that MAS 90 and MAS 200 use global tax tables.  In other words, all companies within MAS share the same tax tables.  Installing the new tax tables before printing W-2′s would change the social security tax wage base limit for employees who exceeded the limit resulting in incorrect Social Security wages on the W-2′s.

Since the social security tax rate has changed, you can no longer wait to install the new tax tables.  Regina Gutcher, a Sage Customer Support Specialist, has outlined the steps for running a 2011 payroll before printing the 2010 W-2′s:

1. Backup all payroll data.
2. Create a new company code in Company Maintenance.
3. In the new company, copy the Payroll, Common Information, General Ledger and Job Cost (if integrated) from your live company.
4. Process payroll year-end for the live company.
5. Install the 2011 tax tables.
6. Process payroll for the live company for 2011.
7. Before printing W-2′s, install the 2010 tax tables.
8. Print the W-2′s from the new company created in step 3.
9. Reinstall the 2011 tax tables.

If you need assistance with these steps, please contact either Amy (ashaver@ariestech.com) or John (jshaver@ariestech.com).

Below are some tips to Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I need to download the 2010 Interim Release Download (IRD):  The IRD is required for if you process 1099′s and use the 1099-INT or 1099-DIV form.  There are no changes to the Form 1099-MISC.   The IRD is required for Payroll customers running Versions 3.73, 3.74, 4.0, 4.05, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4.  The IRD is required for customers who are using Electronic Reporting for 1099 or W-2 filings.
2. Do I need to download the 2010 IRD if I’m using the Federal and State eFilingand Reporting feature:  You will still need to apply the IRD if you choose to use Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200Federal and State eFiling and Reporting.
3. I used the Magnetic Media module in previous years.  Are there any changes?:  Yes.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not accept W-2 information from employers on any type of magnetic media. Instead, they require electronic filing of W-2 information.  Sage MAS 90 or 200 versions 4.0, 4.05, and 4.10, and Sage MAS 200 for SQL versions 3.73 and 3.74 Magnetic Media module and SageERP MAS 90 and 200 versions 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 Electronic Reporting module will allow you to create a MMREF-1 (EFW2) format file for uploading to the SSA’swebsite (www.ssa.gov/employer).  The MMREF-1 file is formatted to the SSA’s Electronic Filing and Magnetic Media Reporting specifications provided the applicable IRD has been downloaded and properly installed on your system.  Some states may still accept magnetic media filings; please check the informationyour state has provided to you for their policies.  If your state accepts magnetic media filings and uses the Federal MMREF-1 format, you can use the Electronic Reporting module to create the media for your state filing.
4. I’m supposed to electronically file my W-2s in the EFW2 format, so why does Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 show a MMREF-1 format?  The Social Security Administration has replaced all references to MMREF-1with a new acronym “EFW2″.  There is no need for concern, because even though your Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 software will still reflect the historical MMREF-1 acronym, the file format is the same as EFW2 and will be accepted by the Social Security Administration.
5. For companies who must print 1099 forms, what are the changes this year?  There are no new changes to 1099-MISC Form reporting in 2010.  Form1099 –DIV has form alignment changes for versions 4.20, 4.30, 4.40 and 4.45. With Form 1099-INT, a new box, Box 10, has been added to the forms and will be available in Vendor Maintenance in the grid to enter the CUSIP number.
6. I have an Extended Solutions enhancement. Will I need to update it after installing the 2010 IRD?  If you own a Sage ERP MAS 90 or 200 Extended Solutions title you may need to update it because of 2010 year-end changes.   Please contact Aries to review which Extended Solutions titles may need to be updated after installing the IRD.
7. Does the IRD contain changes to Payroll to support the Qualified Employee reporting as allowed by the HIRE Act?  Yes.  Customers running one of the supported versions of Payroll must have previously installed the Q2 2010 Payroll Update before installing the 2010 Year End IRD.  The Year End IRD includes additional changes to report Code CC in Box 12.  A 2010 W-2 HIRE Act Instruction Document will be displayed at the end of the installation of the IRD.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

The next release for Sage MAS 90/200 will be Sage MAS Intelligence at the end of August.  Sage MAS Intelligence (SMI) is a financial reporting replacement for FRx (which is being discontinued by Microsoft as of December 31, 2010).  SMI is an Excel-based tool that provides pre-defined financial reports, access to all MAS modules (not just GL), user-level security and consolidation of multiple companies.

In addition, the new roadmap outlines the proposed Product Updates for MAS 90/200.  Product Update 2 was released on July 14.  Future product updates are slated for September 2010, December 2010 and March 2011.  In addition, Version 4.45 is scheduled for release in October 2010.  Version 4.45 will provide Microsoft SQL Server 2008 support (new license customers only) and enhancements will be made to the payroll, sales order, purchase order and accounts receivable modules.

Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 Roadmap – July 2010

1. The payroll tax exemption.  The first benefit provides employers with an exemption from the employer’s 6.2 percent share of social security tax on wages paid to qualifying employees.  This benefit would be effective for wages paid from March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
2. The new hire retention credit.   Businesses will also be eligible for a general business tax credit of 6.2 percent of wages paid to the qualified employee (employee must be retained for at least a year), up to a maximum credit of $1,000.

Visit the IRS website for more detailed information and check with your tax adviser on whether the new HIRE act applies to your company.

Extended Solutions are customizations for the MAS modules.  Previously, Sage announced they were getting out of the Extended Solutions business and would turn over support and future enhancement of the bulk of the solutions to authorized developers.  However, they are retaining 56 of what are considered the ‘most used’solutions.  These 56 solutions will be gradually incorporated into future MAS 90/200 product updates over the next several years.

The new roadmap provides a timeline for incorporation of the Extended Solutions into the core product.  Click the link below to view the updated roadmap.

Sage MAS 90 and 200 Roadmap – March 2010

Sage MAS 90/MAS 200 Roadmap - Updated March 2010

As with my former post on Sage MAS 90/MAS 200 product roadmap, let’s take a look at the Sage MAS 500 roadmap.  The roadmap (Sage MAS 500 Roadmap) outlines Sage’s future plans for Sage MAS 500.  I’ll summarize a few key points below.

• Product Strategy:  Sage wants to provide more ‘value for maintenance,’which will include incorporating features and functionality based on top customer-requested enhancements.  The idea is to release new features & functionality over time with regular product updates, rather than waiting for “major” upgrades.
• New financial reporting alternative:  Business Insights Intelligance, a new reporting tool in a familiar Microsoft environment.  FRx will be supported by Microsoft until December 31, 2012.
• Focus on enhancements to advanced manufacturing/distribution.
• Goal to reduce impact of upgrades on MAS 500 customizations.

Following is a general timeline for Sage MAS 500 product updates.

1. Product Updates for Version 7.3 (December 2009, February 2010, May 2010)
2. Version 7.4 (Quarter 2, 2011)
3. Product Updates for Version 7.4 (expected to be released every 3 to 4 months after the official release of 7.4)
4. Version 7.5 (Quarter 4, 2012)

Visit the Sage roadmap (Sage MAS 500 Roadmap) for more specific details about Version 7.3 features, as well as a retirment schedule for previous versions.  And, as always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions!