Sage offers its channel a new line of business
Vendor claims resellers are set for a big sales boost from the release of its ERP and CRM software
Sage has unveiled combined ERP and CRM software that it has claimed will create new revenue opportunities for resellers.
Sage 1000 is due to be released to the channel in May. The vendor said that the software would enable end-users to map processes across their entire business in a single operation. Sage also claimed that this would lead to the retention of customers and a reduction in total cost of ownership.
David Pinches, director of ERP at Sage UK, told CRN that Sage 1000 would be primarily suited to businesses with an annual turnover of £10m or above.
“We wanted to let our channel partners know about Sage 1000 and plan for [its release]. It’s a brand new market and a huge opportunity for them,” he said.
Pinches added that while the majority of Sage 1000 sales will be made through resellers, about 50 customers will be serviced directly by the vendor.
“We hope that a large percentage of our partners in the mid-market will take the product on board. We are conducting road shows at present to make partners aware of the new software,” he added.
John Linney, managing director of BDE, said resellers would not be forced to fight for Sage 1000 sales.
“There should be enough sales opportunities to satisfy the number of UK resellers that are aided by Sage’s stiff accreditation process that results in a strong base of dedicated resellers,” he said.
“There’s a great thirst in the mid-market for such software. It gives a huge amount of functionality that no other product in the market offers.”
Last week Sage also announced that its chairman, Michael Jackson, would step down in the summer after serving 17 years with the company. He will be replaced by Sir Julian Horn-Smith as non-executive director.
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