I currently have Sage Instant Accounts desktop and I am led to believe from Sage and speaking to an accountant recently that this is likely to stop working soon as Sage no longer support it and sooner or later it a Windows update might cause problems, ( I use Windows 10), so far no problems but I prefer to anticipate problems and try and avoid them rather than react after the event. I'm not a big fan of Sage but i am fairly confident with it and I like the Cash Register function as I own a retail shop.
I'm not really keen on online accounting, what desktop versions, if any, are worth a look at that can do VAT returns and suitable for retail businesses, ( i don't use stock control function although my current version does have it).
I am also soon to open a second shop but a different legal identity to my current one, so if software can run several businesses sole trader and ltd company so much the better.
Lastly if it is Accountant friendly even better, my current accountant only likes to use Sage but I'm looking to switch accountants at the end of this trading year and I am going to use what i am comfortable using.
Am I the only one who still prefers good old desktop accounting software?
I currently have Sage Instant Accounts desktop and I am led to believe from Sage and speaking to an accountant recently that this is likely to stop working soon
Sage stop working! You are being lied to. Sage just want you to pay to upgrade.
There's a few of us who still like to use desktop software. Some of us use VT+ but I can't recommend it to you as (potentially) it won't be any good after April 2019 for VAT registered businesses. However see my recent thread as there is a possible workaround.
Alternatively what about Sage 50 Essentials? Its the successor to Sage Instant Accounts. Its £20 + VAT a month but you can pay a year in front for just under £120 at Amazon. That would give you a bit of breathing space til we know whats actually happening on the MTD for VAT side, and whether there is then compatible software that you can use with VT+. In the meantime I would suggest you download it and have a play. (60 day trial) It might be a bit of a culture shock as it aint nothing like Sage but once you get used to it its a nifty bit of kit.
-- Edited by Leger on Tuesday 16th of January 2018 09:57:02 PM
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
I have looked a VT accounts a couple of years ago , will take another look, but would prefer something that is similar to Sage, I don't want too big a culture shock, I need to concentrate on opening my new shop.
Have also come across Solar Accounts, any thoughts on this, and is it likely to support MTD?
Sage stop working! You are being lied to. Sage just want you to pay to upgrade.
Hi Casu
Instant Accounts is now unsupported, so if a windows update did corrupt something, Sage wouldn't be interested in rectifying the damage.
However it wont just stop working unless something like that happens, so in that sense you're right.
Also Richard, I should have said, VT + will allow you to have as many businesses as you want on it.
Sage never rectify anything anyway, unless you have sage cover. sage do not support thousands of customers with their old software, but it's not a reason to stop using it.
dont fall for the con of 'having to upgrade' especially so close to MTD.
but if you really do want to waste your cash on a pointless upgrade forget sage essentials and just go for sage 50.
VT Accounts and VT+ are separate products. The former is what accountants use to do year end accounts, and the latter is the bookkeeping product
Solar I've heard of but never used, but I see they're heading down the online route now. It may well be they won't support the offline version come 2019. I nearly mentioned quickbooks desktop as well, but I've a feeling they will end the desktop version as well. For the last 6-7 years theyve been really pushing their online product.
It's definitely a wait and see (for all of us) so I'd still be inclined to get Sage Essentials, even if it's just for the next year.
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
SJ Software distribution always seem to have good deals (I have no vested interest - just a happy customer). They have the latest Sage Essentials in perpetual licence form as follows:
Sage 50 Accounts Essentials v24 - Perpetual Version
Product code: - Sage 50 Accounts Essentials Software from SJ Software - Outright Purchase £89.99 exc. VAT £107.99 inc. VAT
This keeps you on a fully supported version of the product you are familiar with and, whilst £90 is £90, avoids the hassle and re-training involved with a switch.
Sage 2014, v12 I think, have just tried to open and would not open, bit of a worry but this my back up copy on an old laptop which has a few problems. Expect it will work fine after i restart it, as it worked fine last night.
One question though, how future proof is it? will it be able to comply with new regulations coming shortly?
-- Edited by newleaf on Wednesday 17th of January 2018 10:05:17 AM
I think a thank you to other posters is appropriate as well tbh.
Why would you think that the largest provider of accounting software in the UK would not future proof their product? But if you are concerned then I think this is a question you should put to Sage themselves.
Plus maybe perhaps wait until HMRC are made their chuffing minds up about what MTD is going to even look like/involve before changing your software
__________________
Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
To be fair, it's not about future proofing software against a moving target - and any OS (not just Windows) - is very much a moving target. To give them credit (much as it's going to leave a sour taste in my mouth) Microsoft have been pretty good at maintaining backwards compatibility, but the signs are that they're less interested in this moving forwards.
But what Richard seems to be talking about is Sage and their support policies - they tend not to offer support for products over a certain age, and with their cloud and subscription fees love-in, they may very well have decided to shorten that period. Their pointless rebranding exercise for the software may also be a factor - this could lead to people thinking Instant = Old, and Old = Unsupported. He may have spoken to such a person.
(Although that person is right that an update could cause problems - if it happens, Sage wouldn't be the first piece of software to be fragged by a Windows 10 update. At the same time, however, it's also possible that it won't happen.)
Edit: But yes, I agree totally: if it isn't actually broke, don't fix it. Wait and see what's going to happen with MTD first!
-- Edited by VinceH on Wednesday 17th of January 2018 03:57:08 PM
__________________
Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
I think a thank you to other posters is appropriate as well tbh.
Why would you think that the largest provider of accounting software in the UK would not future proof their product? But if you are concerned then I think this is a question you should put to Sage themselves.
Plus maybe perhaps wait until HMRC are made their chuffing minds up about what MTD is going to even look like/involve before changing your software
Thank you everyone for all your replies, (Sorry Joanne, I was in a rush this morning to get out for an urgent appointment). As for future proofing Essentials, I was not aware of this product until today, I thought buying Sage Instant would give me many years of use but 2 years down the line find that is not the case. I was under the assumption that Sage was moving away from desktop to online, and whilst I would quite expect any online accounting system to always be up to date, i was referring to the desktop version of Essentials and did not want to buy another Sage product with a limited shelf life. As Sage only launched this product in 2017 i believe, I would assume that they would continue to upgrade it and support it so that it would cope with new legislation that was already in the pipeline when it was released, at least I hope they would but i was looking for confirmation or feedback from others on here.
As Vince pointed out, my main concern / gripe with Sage has always been with the support.
As for future proofing Essentials, I was not aware of this product until today,
I mentioned it twice last night, and suggested you switch to it, even if it's just for the next year,when we know what software is required for MTD for VAT.
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Thank you everyone for all your replies, (Sorry Joanne, I was in a rush this morning to get out for an urgent appointment). As for future proofing Essentials, I was not aware of this product until today, I thought buying Sage Instant would give me many years of use but 2 years down the line find that is not the case. I was under the assumption that Sage was moving away from desktop to online, and whilst I would quite expect any online accounting system to always be up to date, i was referring to the desktop version of Essentials and did not want to buy another Sage product with a limited shelf life. As Sage only launched this product in 2017 i believe, I would assume that they would continue to upgrade it and support it so that it would cope with new legislation that was already in the pipeline when it was released, at least I hope they would but i was looking for confirmation or feedback from others on here.
As Vince pointed out, my main concern / gripe with Sage has always been with the support.
Its not me you need to apologise to Richard.
I'm confused as to why you say sage launched the product in 2017 but you have a 2014 version! but whatever it is, in short both Casu and Vince have said continue to use what you have got. Someone has sold you a pup that it won't work.
But haven't we been her before?
I have clients who are still using 2006 versions with no issues.
Unless you have corrupted data then keep using it, or more likely a fault with your computer or windows 10. at least until mtd is properly announced, assuming your are vat reg.
Take plenty and regular backups which can be converted by anyone with sage versions later than yours, or into a new sage subject to the don't go beyond the 5 years rule.
No, or very little software bought on disc, eg design package, accountancy package, ancestry software the list goes on, is updated in perpetuity so I don't know why you would think Sage is any different. Quickbooks isn't, neither is VTT.
the only way my 2006 sage users will Ogaden is if o workaround is found for the impending MTD, but they sure as hell have got their monies worth out of it, so I rally cannot see what the problem is.
if you do move, you don't need to move Acountant just because he or she doesn't use sage, just extract the correct reports and they can do their job, unless they are not that bright (can't see that if they are Chartered) or you've fallen out with them for some reason.
__________________
Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Got to agree with you Joanne (and Ian) £90 for the upgraded version is not a high price (unless you need multi companies). Anyone needing to from such an old version though will need the data converted as it will not go from a very old copy. Sage will offer this service but I am able to if you do need it updated prior to using and charge less than Sage.
If you are on an earlier version it may take a while to get used to the updated set up however they do now show you the short cut keys which is helpful.
__________________
Donna Curling - Complete Book-Keeping Ltd (CBKLtd) - 07939 101900
A potential way around the multi-company problem is to buy a copy for each individual company and, using a Linux computer, install each one into its own virtual machine using something like Virtual Box.
This is the route I intend to take if MTD means I do have to upgrade (i.e. if there isn't a third party solution) - it's the best way I can see to limit the amount of money Sage gets from me, without compromising the features I need and use in my software. Admittedly, though, I'm geek enough that it shouldn't be a problem - which may not be so for others.
__________________
Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
