Sage spreads word to SMEs

Accountancy software vendor Sage has teamed up with retail chain PC World to educate small and medium-sized companies in issues such as the year 2000 bug.

The programme will involve a series of roadshows covering issues of concern like European monetary union and late payment penalties, which takes effect this summer.

One hundred roadshows are scheduled to take place during February and March, and later in October and November, at retail outlets. The move coincides with Sage's formation of a dedicated retail division to maximise the potential for sales from superstores.

Sage has also negotiated a deal with key retailers to provide a product training programme for in-store staff. This will enable staff to sell 'the right products to the right customers', said Mike Kelly, general retail manager at Sage.

'Our new product, Instant Accounting 98, requires some training to use, and in-store staff will be able to provide this to SMEs and first-time buyers,' he said. 'If you sell a product without training, the product comes back and you have an unhappy customer. What is crucial in getting the retail model right is that customers are supported - so they stay with you.'