Sage has announced the launch of Sage One Accounts Extra in the UK and Ireland.
Sage Group is a provider of business management software for SMEs, giving them the freedom and features to help their business grow, in an efficient and secure way. Sage has more than 6 million customers over 23 countries. More than 830,000 small businesses in the UK have used Sage’s packages to help them save time and money and see their company expand. The latest service is designed for modern businesses with growing needs.
Sage One Accounts Extra helps SMEs grow their business and allows them to manage their accounts anywhere, at any time, in a simple way.
The new accounting service allows users to manage multiple currencies and VAT rates, with complete cashflow management. It gives the user more control over their financial affairs. Sage One Accounts Extra is multi-user and multi-business, meaning that companies can manage more accounts in an easier way. The step by step process allows users to speed up bank reconciliation and manage multiple business accounts with a single login. It also allows businesses to work in real-time with their accountant.
The service is an online solution that is clean, simple and does not require any formal training to use. Even people who have no previous experience with accounting software are able get to grips with it.
Simon Hodgkins, head of Sage One UK, recognised the changing needs of businesses and their owners: "Sage understands its customers. Doing business today, people are busier than ever. They need tools to improve efficiency and functionality, whilst improving their business. Companies that use Sage are better, stronger companies."
The evolution of technology and businesses means that many companies are now adopting the cloud, due to its versatility, usability and functionality. Hodgkins said that Sage "is in the cloud, available any place, any time. There’s been a rapid adoption of this kind of software and people are used to working this way now".
The company’s original model Sage One was "an entry level version" according to Hodgkins and that the new Extra service update does a lot more, but has that same ease of use that was key with Sage One. It is "sophisticated, but hasn’t lost the things that it’s built from". The company used feedback from customers, even through their Twitter account, to find out what they needed from their accounting service, what Sage One currently lacks and what Sage One Accounts Extra could provide.
Hodgkins claims that of the 6 million businesses worldwide that use Sage, 80% of them are startups and small businesses. "We’ve been a proud supporter of small businesses for more than 30 years, and we understand the importance of delivering the right technology at the right time for our customers. Sage One Accounts Extra has been designed to give our users more power and control across the board; which in turn gives them the freedom, confidence, and peace of mind to focus on growing their business."
Sage understands that many of the businesses that choose to use their accounting service are starting their own business and may be working from home in the evenings around their other job or family responsibilities. This is why one of the key features of Sage One Accounts Extra is the 24/7 support from Sage. This means that you can get the help and advice you need at any time, over the phone or online.
Sage One Accounts Extra acknowledges that the "current generation want a better work/life balance," therefore allowing them to work and receive help 24/7 is key to managing a business and still maintaining a healthy balance between your work and personal life. Also, being able to manage accounts off-premise, at home or on the go allows users to make their financial affairs work around their personal life, so you can spend less hours in the office and can work from the comfort of your own home.
The UK and Ireland launch of Sage One Accounts Extra is just the beginning. Hodgkins believes that the only way is up, and Sage will continue growing and expanding around the world. "In 3-24 months, we hope to see more countries adopting Sage One Accounts Extra. It’s a global platform, it’s built from the ground up and it’s a big deal."
