The Affordable Care Act Explained at Sage Summit in July

 Sage Summit is the largest gathering of the year for Sage customers and business partners.  The conference will take place July 21 – 26, 2013 and is being held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a United States federal statute signed into law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama.  It’s also referred to as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act.  PPACA represents the most significant government expansion and regulatory overhaul of the U. S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.  PPACA is designed to increase the affordability and rate of health insurance coverage for Americans, as well as reduce the overall costs of healthcare for individuals and the government.  It provides a number of mechanisms, including mandates, subsidies and tax credits, to employers and individuals to increase the coverage rate and affordability of health insurance.   The PPACA requires insurance companies to cover all applicants within new minimum standards and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions.  Additional reforms aim to improve healthcare outcomes and streamline the delivery of healthcare to Americans.

On Wednesday, July 24, Sage is offering an all-day learning track that will unravel the complexities of the PPACA.  Speakers will break down the health care reform by topic, including key provisions, insurance carriers, small business tax credits, and compliance requirements.  Attendees at this special track will learn:

• What the Affordable Care Act means for your business.
• What your responsibilities as an employer are.
• How it will impact your bottom line.
• Steps you should be taking now to prepare for provisions that start in 2014.

Henry Aaron of the Brookings Institute will be a keynote speaker at the session.  A noted healthcare expert, Mr. Aaron will talk about the fundamental issues and challenges of health care reform and the impact on small and midsized businesses. Mr. Aaron will also address questions from attendees received during the registration collection process.    Also speaking will be Bernard DiFiore, president and CEO of BenefitMall.  Mr. DiFiore will lead a panel of insurance carrier experts. This question and answer session will dive into the realities of the Affordable Care Act.

Breakout session topics include:  The Affordable Care Act Explained, The Complexity of Healthcare: Balancing Costs and Benefits and The New Era of Healthcare:  How It Impacts You and Your Employees.

This will be an excellent track for business owners, executives, human resources managers, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking a nonpartisan, informational overview of the health care reform.

Visit Sage’s Summit website for more information on how to register.

 

What Happens If I Cancel My Sage Maintenance Plan?

If you’ve ever wondered about the consequences of cancelling or not renewing your Sage maintenance plan then you might want to check out this article from my 90Minds colleague, Mark Chinsky of Clients First Business Solutions.

The loss of payroll updates may loom especially large with all of the changes coming with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

My experience has been that Sage is becoming less flexible about waiving the reinstatement fees. In other words, it could be a very costly decision.

 

Sage Releases Abra Suite v9.2

Sage recently released the latest version of Abra Suite. Version 9.2 contains several new features and enhancements.

Among the highlights of this release are:

• Sage Advisor Auto Update – Instead of the traditional method of downloading and installing product and legislative updates, the auto update allows you to apply those updates automatically. This functionality makes it much easier to keep up with the ever-quickening number of tax rate changes and  calculations.
• Shared Abra Secure Queries – You now have the ability to control, edit, and limit sharing of secure queries you create in HR, payroll, time off, and training.
• Abra Secure Query with Custom Fields – Employee-specific custom details can be added to secure queries. The custom detail option includes the ability to create single record or multi record custom details.
• Legislative Update Process Change – When payroll updates and releases are installed, the system will automatically update your system tax tables with all available taxes and you are no longer required to navigate to System Tax Tables to apply the legislative updates.
• Reporting Enhancements – There are almost 100 changes and enhancements to the reporting functionality. The ReleaseNotes contain a comprehensive list.

Please note that as of June 2013, version 9.0x is no longer supported by Sage. This means that Sage will not release any legislative updates to 9.0x after that date.

 

Sage Releases Abra HRMS 9.1

Version 9.1 of Abra (VFP) provides several significant new features.  Enhancements are included for HR, Payroll and Employee Self Service.

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.

 

Sage Releases 2011 941 Form Update

Sage has released the 2011 941 Form Update for MAS 90 and MAS 200.  The form update is compatible with versions 4.20, 4.30 (SP 17 – 21) and 4.40.  Changes to the form include:

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.

 

Great Free Resource For Support Questions

Have you ever wondered where you can go to get answers to your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) software 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.

 

Customer Spotlight: AccuForce Staffing Services LLC

AccuForce Staffing Services, LLC, a staffing company in Kingsport, TN has been a Sage MAS 200 user for the past few years.  Although technically a customer of Aries, the management team at AccuForce had not used our services for quite some time, preferring to perform all of the accounting setup in MAS 200 themselves.  However, in December of 2010, their new CFO, Sarah Fleenor, contacted us inquiring how they might accomplish several goals with their MAS 200 system.  Though Sarah initially contacted us simply because she was told by Sage that Aries was their “MAS reseller”, it quickly became a closer, more positive and strategic relationship as it became evident that the Aries business model would be a good fit for their company.  They understood the value of Aries’ fixed, upfront, money-back guarantee pricing approach to projects.  “I like the fixed price model and am all about planning and testing before going live,” commented Sarah about the Aries model.

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.”

 

Don’t Process That First Payroll For 2011 Just Yet!

The procedures for processing your first MAS 90 or MAS 200 payroll in 2011 have changed due to the social security tax rate decrease that goes into effect on January 1, 2011.

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).

 

Sage MAS 90 and 200 Year End Updates

It’s almost that time of year again!  The Sage MAS 90 and 200 Quarter 1 2011 Tax Table Update (TTU) and Interim Release Download (IRD) are expected to be released after December 17, 2010.  In addition, Sage will update the TTU as necessary through January 2011 with IRS-mandated changes, if any.  All of the program changes in the IRD will also be included in the Version 4.4 Product Update 4 and the Version 4.3 Service Update 21.  These two updates are expected to be available the week of December 27, 2010.  Please note, if you install Product Update 4 or Service Update 21 instead of the IRD you will also need to install the Quarter 1 2011 Tax Table Update before processing your first payroll for 2011.

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!

 

Updated: Sage MAS 90/200 Product Roadmap

On July 21, Sage issued an updated roadmap describing added features and details about upcoming versions.  These roadmaps are published and updated on a regular basis to provide a guide for upcoming versions of Sage MAS 90/200.

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