End of Mainstream Support for Line 100

Please read the following statement issued by Sage UK carefully – it relates to your Sage Line 100 Accounting Software

We are sending you this communication to let you know that Sage Line 100 will reach its End of Mainstream Support on 30 September 2012.

Currently, Sage offer full Mainstream Support for Line 100, via SALP or SageCover, which includes legislative software updates for customers and access to Technical and Developer support for Business Partners. From the effective date of this change, 30 September 2012, Sage will be changing the type of support offered for Line 100.

At this time Sage move into a phase of Extended Support meaning whilst Sage still provide technical support, enable strings and the facility for existing customers to add users or modules to their systems, Sage will stop producing software updates related to Line 100, Sage will no longer guarantee that Line 100 will be legislatively compliant and will cease to offer support for Sage Line 100 through the Mid-Market Developers Programme.

The table below shows the summary of the changes that will be introduced:

 

Mainstream Support to 30 Sept 2012

Extended Support from Oct 2012

Product available for sale  (additional users/modules only, no new site licences)

Yes

Yes

Enable strings  (provided to BPs for their linked customers who meet the eligibility criteria)

Yes

Yes

Technical Support  (provided to BPs for customers with a valid support contract, and to a small number of customers who are linked directly to Sage)

Yes

Yes

Developer Support  (offered to BPs and customers with an up-to-date subscription to the Sage Mid-Market Developers Programme)

Yes

No

Legislative Updates  (provided by Sage to maintain legal/fiscal compliance)

Yes

No

Hot fixes/ Bug fixes/ Patches/ Service packs  (provided by Sage for recognised defects)

Yes

No

Wish list/defect log  (open for the registration of defects)

Yes

No

 

Why is Sage making these changes?

These changes will allow Sage to concentrate on Research & Development and Support resources on the Sage 200 Suite, which has more advanced software features and customisation tools, and which is Sage's primary solution for mid-sized businesses.

Line 100 started life at Sage in 1992 as the product of choice for mid-sized businesses requiring a sophisticated accounting business suite with highly customisable features (for example: multi-currency, multi-company, multiple stock locations and budgeting by cost centre and department) which could be tailored by Sage Business Partners and Developers to meet customers' needs.

The product has since evolved into MMS (in 2003) and Sage 200 (in 2007) and many customers have migrated to these newer solutions throughout the years, but there are still around 2,500 businesses using Line 100 today.

The technology platform upon which Line 100 was built is becoming more costly and difficult to support, and the operating systems which work with Line 100 are reaching the end of their respective life cycles. By introducing these changes, it will enable Sage R&D and Support teams to focus on current and future technologies, and pave the way for the next generation of Sage 200.

Furthermore, Sage are committed to ensuring it's customers get the most benefit from their Sage systems - by working with customers to prepare for changes in supported software platforms, or forthcoming changes in Government legislation, we can help you to plan for the future.

 

How can Century Software help you and what's next...?

We are committed to making all our clients aware of changes to any part of their systems, on whatever version is being run. The news that Sage have given 2 years may seem like a long time, however, we have a large number of Sage Line 100 clients currently, with varying systems and bespoke work!

We are fully aware that all our clients will not rush to upgrade their systems as there is a lot of “homework” to be done on important things like existing hardware compatibility and Sage 200 being able to cater for bespoke you already have. However, planning ahead, we would like to avoid the possibility of the majority of our clients all requesting an upgrade in 18 months time (just before the cut-off) which would put us under a great strain to complete to everyone’s timescales. 

We will contacting everyone throughout 2011 to ask if an upgrade to Sage 200 will be required and be planning them in a staggered, manageable way to ensure that clients get the upgrade when it's needed and all users are trained and familiar with new software.

Of course we do realise that some clients do not wish to upgrade their software, this is completely acceptable and of course, your own choice based on your needs for the future. When we contact you, simply tell us that you do not require an upgrade and we will make notes here to that effect.

If you would like to organise more information or indeed want to book your upgrade before we call, feel free to browse our Sage 200 website, send an email to sagesupport@centurysoftware.co.uk, or give us a call on 01675 430 128.

I will contact you in the next few weeks to ensure you received this mail, and to discuss any points you wish to raise, however, if in the meantime you require any further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Assuring you of my prompt and personal attention at all times.

Yours Sincerely,

James Dignan
Managing Director

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