Archive for March 15th, 2011

Finding old friends on Facebook is fun.  The word ‘tweet’ is hysterical.  Linking in with peers can be entertaining (and beneficial). Over the last month or so, my company has really been exploring the benefits of various social media mediums.  In theory, we are definitely on board with it.  Mechanically, however, we have struggled.  It seems there is so much to learn and so little time to learn it because everyone is moving in that direction and we don’t want to be behind the curve.  Maybe it’s all those GenX and Y’ers that have pushed this forward at such a breakneck pace, you know the ones in your company that I’m talking about.  Anyway, social media is a good thing and can and should be used to promote your company.  I know this because I’ve done a bunch of research, been to seminars and webinars, and am watching it all happen around me.  CS3 Technology is learning quickly and jumping on the band wagon as well.

This month’s article is all about what I’m learning  NOT to do when using social media to build your brand.

1. Ignore people – Be interactive, engaging, insightful with your comments.  It’s all about building relationships.
2. Be dishonest or fake - Connect with your clients on a more personal level, not just about business.  Be authentic and transparent.  If you’re not, you will be found out.  Ever heard of the Internet?
3. Be a walking (or texting) billboard-Don’t just advertise your services; really focus on your clients.  Add value to the conversation and always remember that a ‘conversation’ requires both parties to talk.
4. Be overly sensitive- Social media opens the door to anyone and everyone, some of whom may have negative things to say about your company.  Consumers can say what they want, whether they actually know anything about you or not.  Put on your big boy pants and deal with it in a professional manner.
5. Go in to social media being uneducated - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs…wow!  Until a couple years ago, I don’t think LinkedIn was even a real word.  Each of the social media outlets (and there are tons!) has its own set of rules, etiquette, gurus, etc.  Learn about the community before you jump in.
6. Tweet until your fingers fall off - I know it’s exciting to share every little thing you and/or your company is doing.  Don’t go crazy.  Share relevant information and realize that it takes time to build a network of followers / connections so stay committed and don’t get discouraged.
7. Be erratic - One week you’re there, the next you’re not, then you’re back again.  Would you date someone like that?  People won’t pay attention to you if you are inconsistent, especially in social media.

Social media = Relationship.  It’s that simple.  Stay tuned as CS3 Technology joins the social media craze.  Would you prefer to hear more about that in a tweet?

All clients who register for Sage Summit 2011 can enter into a drawing for a FREE iPad!!!  Registrations must be made prior to May 1st. To be eligible for the drawing, you must forward you registration confirmation to info@cs3technology.com.  You will then be eligible to win an iPad to be given away on Thursday July 14th at the exclusive 2 hour CS3 client meeting in Washington DC.

Register NOW!!!

Click here to register for Sage Summit

Register early to secure preferred accommodations and sessions. Visit SageSummit.com for conference details. We hope to see you there!

The update issued by the Federal government on March 1, 2011 for the Form 941 is currently in development, and is scheduled to be released by Sage Software at the end of March.

This update will cover Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 versions 4.20 through 4.40, and can be accessed on the Sage Software Online 941 Forms section.

Customers on versions prior to 4.20 will need to consider upgrading to a more current version, or manually modifying their existing Form 941 to meet the new standards issued by the Federal government.

Should you have any questions, contact your Sage ERP MAS90/200 consultant, or call us here at CS3 Technology at 918.496.1600 for immediate assistance with this issue.

Sage ERP MAS 90 versions 4.0, 4.05, and 4.10, and Sage ERP MAS 200 SQL versions 3.72, 3.73, and 3.74, will be retired as of September 30, 2011. After retirement, product updates (including year end) and telephone support will no longer be provided by Sage.  However, customers who stay with a maintenance plan will continue to have access to the knowledge base with articles about the retired versions- http://support.sagesoftwareonline.com/mas/main.cfm.

Don’t put off your upgrade another day… Contact your Accounting -Client Account Manger, Judy Stanfield, at  jstanfield@cs3technology.com or by phone at (877) 496-1600 Ext 215 For further information, and to

arrange your MAS upgrade today.

Sage Employer Resources can assist you in running your business. In many ways, Sage Employer Resources acts as a “mini-HR department” – delivering a state-of-the-art human resources library including:

• Current federal and state employment laws on employee benefits and human resource issues including hiring and termination.
• Hundreds of downloadable human resources forms, posters, and a sample employee handbook.
• A list of frequently-asked questions.
• The most current news on human resources and benefits that will impact your company.

Sage wants their clients to have access to the best practices in human resources. It not only will assist you as an employer, but helps in making a better informed and more productive workforce. The information contained in the website should go a long way in assisting you as an employer.

For a quick video tour of what Sage Employer Resources can provide you, click on this link:

>>Sage Employer Resources Video Overview <<

To access your online human resources information library, please visit Sage Employer Resources at:

www.sageemployerresources.com/abra

Your user name and password is:

Username: {insert username}
Password: password

The information below is being sent to Sage Abra Suite Payroll customers regarding state W2 media filing for the states listed below and to communicate the availability of a Hot Fix available for versions 7.79; 7.86; and 9.07.

If you are not an employer in Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, or Vermont, you may disregard this Hot Fix.

State W2 Electronic File Changes included in this Hot Fix: (Apply the Hot Fix prior to creating the W2 State Electronic file.)

• Arkansas – Truncation State ID Number and RO Record
• Georgia – Format Changes
• Idaho – When the filing cycle is B or split, the file was rejected
• Vermont – Phone or email format changes. Vermont will now accept these files.

Note: Sage Abra Payroll Customers with versions 7.79 and 7.86: Please install the Service Release SR2 before applying the Hot Fix.

Installation Instructions: The readme.txt file for the Hot Fix contains the information to apply the Update.

1. Download the update specific to your Abra version from SupportPlus Online.
2. For Abra Suite v7.79 or v7.87, select Product & Documentation, Sage Abra Suite 7.x and select Get Product Update. Select Using Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the upgrade for your specific version of Sage Abra Suite v7 Hot Fix February 2011 – v7.79.27 or Sage Abra Suite v7 Hot Fix February 2011 – v7.86.20 to an area other than the Abra Suite directory. Create a new folder with the same name as the zip file.
3. For Abra Suite v9.07, Select Product & Documentation, Sage Abra Suite 9.x and select Get Product Update. Select Using Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the Sage Abra Suite v9 Hot Fix February 2011 – v9.07.17 to an area other than the Abra Suite directory. Create a new folder with the same name as the zip file.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading or applying this patch. Give us a call at 877-496-1600 or send us an email hrdist@cs3technology.com.

There will not be a Q1 tax update this March. In order to stay current with your tax updates you will need to update to either version 7.8 or version 9.0 before the end of March.

Call your Abra consultant to if you need help deciding which version to move to or have questions. You can reach us at: 918-496-1600 option 1

Information on SR2

The information below is being sent to Sage Abra Suite Payroll customers to communicate availability of the Abra Suite SR2 to supplement the Q4 2010 tax update for versions 7.79; 7.86; and 9.07.

Abra Suite Q4 SR2 content:

Electronic File Changes: (Apply the SR2 prior to creating the electronic file.)

• FILE – Georgia Electronic Annual Reconciliation Filing
• FILE – Indiana Electronic Annual Reconciliation Form WH-3
• FILE – Electronic Annual Reconciliation Filing Mandates for Kansas Withholding, Effective July 1, 2010
• FILE – Georgia – W2 Annual Electronic Filing Spec Changes, Effective for Tax Year 2010
• FILE – Maine W2 Annual Electronic File Spec Changes, Effective for Tax Year 2010
• FILE – Maine Annual Reconciliation Electronic Filing Requirements, Effective for Tax Year 2010
• FILE – Virginia Annual Reconciliation Electronic Filing Requirements, Effective for Tax Year 2010

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading or applying this patch. Give us a call at 877.496.1600 or send us an email hrdist@cs3technology.com

Note: Please read the Release Bulletin before installation of the Service Release. This file contains the information to apply the Update

1. Download the update specific to your Abra version from  SupportPlus Online.
2. For Abra Suite v7.79 or v7.87, select Product & Documentation, Sage Abra Suite 7.x and select Get Product Update. Select Using Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the upgrade for your specific version of Abra Sage Abra Suite v7SR2 February 2011 – v7.79.27 or Sage Abra Suite v7SR2 February 2011 – v7.86.20 to the appropriate location.
3. For Abra Suite v9.07, Select Product & Documentation, Sage Abra Suite 9.x and select Get Product Update. Select Using Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the Sage Abra Suite v9SR2 February 2011 – v9.07.16 to the appropriate location

Please read the Release Bulletin included with the SR2 for installation instructions.