Datel scores first Sage X3 sale

Deal with online retail firm the first since UK launch in October

Sage says X3 sales cycle is typically six months to a year, or more

Sage partner Datel has bagged the first UK sale of the vendor’s ERP X3 solution.

Sage ERP X3, which is designed to cater for mid-size firms with a global presence, was launched in the UK in October.

Five months later and Warrington-based Datel has scooped the first deal, which it told CRN is with an unnamed online retail firm with international presence.

Steve Attwell, general manager of Sage’s Business Partner & Channel division, said he was encouraged by the speed of the first sale.

“Given this is an enterprise-level solution for larger, complex businesses, we would typically expect the sales cycle to be six months to a year, or more,” he said. “So to find we have been able to fast-track a business partner so quickly [and generate a sale] is fantastic.”

140-strong Datel recently launched a Sage ERP X3 division and claims to be the vendor's largest UK ERP partner.

Datel managing director David Preston said: “We have made sure the Datel teams are prepared for the release, and our experience of working with Sage products for over 20 years stands us in good stead to implement this new product successfully.”

Sage already competes in the mid-market through its Sage 1000 product, but Datel sales and marketing director Jo Fulton claimed ERP X3 would allow the Sage channel to land a blow on Microsoft.

“This is the perfect competitor to Microsoft Axapta; it blows them out of the water,” she said.