Enhanced flagship product includes free Sage Planning for Business to aid business sustainability

Newcastle, 27 January 2012 - Leading business software and services provider Sage UK has today launched the next generation of its easy-to-use bookkeeping software, Sage Instant Accounts 2012. Designed specifically to help owner managers stay worry free and in control, it allows them to keep track of cash flow and profitability, submit VAT returns online and prepare year end accounts. The software also contains a number of enhancements that improve day to day efficiency and make it even easier for owner managers to put their customers at the centre of their business.

To help firms navigate the challenging economic climate Sage is providing Instant Accounts users with access to its business planning software for free*. Sage Planning for Business is a powerful business planning tool that enables owners to accurately map with confidence the performance of their company, build their cash position and ensure the sustainability of their firm. The software takes the uncertainty out of writing a robust business plan, helping make finance from banks and investors more accessible and freeing up entrepreneurs to focus on the running of their business.

Incorporating feedback from customers, accountants and Sage business partners the new Instant Accounts is simple to set up, learn and use. Through an active set-up wizard, video tutorials and online support, users are empowered with all the information they need to become efficient and effective with the software quickly. Sage Instant Accounts 2012 also ensures a seamless upgrade experience for existing users by making it easy to incorporate existing datasets, favourite links and convert archived data.

The latest version of Sage Instant Accounts has been built with efficiency and time saving at its core. Enhancements include:

- Lock Date – Helps ensure customers will experience fewer date errors. It allows the prevention of postings being made before a given date, reducing the number of errors made when posting transactions, particularly following a month end or year end;

- Quick Search – Makes it quicker and easier to explore large data sets. Removing the need to build queries means users can be more efficient when wanting to search and locate data from within a ledger;

- Chart of Accounts – Improves efficiency through greater customisation of the Chart of Accounts. Company set-up is simplified through the ability to pick a business structure (e.g. sole trader, partnership, limited company or charity). Use of these templates for business types eliminates the requirement to manually create a Chart of Accounts and reports to cater for each business, reducing the potential for making errors at this important stage;

- Data Conversion – Improvements have been made to the data conversion routine that runs when upgrading from a previous versions making the experience more seamless;

- Improved performance – Increased investment in the infrastructure of Sage Instant Accounts 2012 has enhanced the performance of the product in key areas. As a result businesses will be more efficient and productive.

Robin Moore, Product Manager for Sage’s Small Business Division, commented: “In the current economic climate small businesses are constantly looking for ways to improve the way they work and drive efficiencies across every process. By listening to our customers and overhauling our core technology Sage Instant Accounts 2012 delivers on this need by making it quicker and easier for small businesses to take control of their finances.”

For further information, please visit: http://www.sage.co.uk/sage-instant-accounts.