What’s new with v31 for Sage 50?
A quick overview of new features coming in Sage 50 v31
Sage has rolled out their latest update for Sage 50 accounts. They had planned for an update in November, but the actual release of the update went relatively under the radar. However, they are introducing some pretty big and useful features with the main focus centred around increasing productivity with the introduction of Sage Copilot, Purchase Automation and Sage Connect. As with a lot of software updates, Sage will also be strengthening its security.
AI Assistant in Sage 50 (Copilot)
With AI integration becoming a staple feature of many software packages, it’s no surprise that Sage has released its own AI assistant, Copilot. Copilot started its rollout in February 2024, and now Sage 50 users can have a taste of Copilot if they register for early access.
Copilot has been implemented as a productivity assistant. Copilot will monitor your day-to-day operations in order to flag anomalies, errors and opportunities, along with suggesting implementable actions. With Copilot assisting users in this manner, users are able to make better-informed decisions and reduce workload.
Copilot will assist in 5 key areas of a user’s workflow:
- Debt Management
- Inventory Management
- Data Accuracy
- Business Performance
- Report Analysis
Copilot will provide actionable insights and prompts throughout the program. To reduce distractions and loss of focus, Copilot enables you to access the data without having to navigate away to different screens.
As you can see in the screenshot, Copilot has flagged numerous potential errors and anomalies and categorised them appropriately.
Purchase Automation
Purchase Automation will be another AI-integrated feature. The feature will enable users to upload purchase invoices, purchase credit notes and receipts into Sage 50 accounts.
The AI will extract the data, process it, and prepare it for posting into the accounts. This will help save a lot of time and improve the accuracy of the data entered.
Purchase Automation won’t be available immediately and is expected to roll out early in 2025. Purchase Automation will require activation. Once set up, the purchase automation will work on a credit-based system. More details on how it will be fully implemented, and function will be available on release.
Watch Purchase Automation DemoSage Connect
The running theme with many of the features mentioned is to reduce the workload on users, and Sage Connect follows this by providing customers with the ability to essentially manage themselves for small tasks such as requesting an invoice. The Customer Account Portal will help improve their customer experience as they will no longer have to wait for answers, they can simply retrieve the information online themselves.
The running theme with many of the features mentioned is to reduce the workload on users, and Sage Connect follows this by providing customers with the ability to essentially manage themselves for small tasks such as requesting an invoice. The Customer Account Portal will help improve their customer experience as they will no longer have to wait for answers, they can simply retrieve the information online themselves.
Users can access Sage Connect directly from Sage 50 Account. The first thing users will expect to see after accessing Sage Connect is a simple dashboard and overview. Users can then invite the customers they want to have access to their information. Sage Connect also enables users to ‘view as customer’ so they can get a preview of what the customer will see.
2 Factor Authentication
2 Factor will begin rolling out in February, initially starting with Copilot and connected services in version 31. Connected services include Bank Feeds, Remote Data Access, Invoice Finance, Go Cardless, Supplier Payments and Sage Connect.
The rollout for 2FA will begin in February 2024 and will become mandatory.
Modern Authentication Methods
Microsoft retired basic authentication for webmail, which resulted in users utilising SMPT via Microsoft no longer being able to send emails. In Version 31, Sage has implemented an additional setting that allows users to select email default and their Authentication method. When selected, it will ask you to sign in to the relevant Microsoft Account.
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