Sage, a leading provider of specialized solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accounting, finance, human resources, and payroll, has announced significant enhancements to its products through a strengthened partnership with Microsoft. The updates to Sage Instant Analysis, Sage Active, and Sage Network are designed to boost operational efficiency and innovation for SMEs by leveraging modern, integrated technologies.
The partnership with Microsoft aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. The updates offer new ways to improve Sage’s customers’ processes and increase their productivity.
Enhancement of Financial Analysis with Sage Instant Analysis
Sage Instant Analysis, now integrating the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, offers SMEs a powerful tool to analyze their data comprehensively. Embedded within Sage Active, it provides swift access to financial information from various internal forms, enabling businesses to gain insights into their financial health. Users can quickly obtain actionable information, including detailed evaluations of key areas such as balance sheet, cash flow, working capital, and gross profit. This integration not only aids in managing business activities but also enhances productivity and streamlines routine tasks.
Unlike basic automation that relies on templates, Sage Instant Analysis utilizes existing accounting data to analyze a company’s financial position for the current year. It employs advanced Large Language Model (LLM) technology from Azure OpenAI to interpret and understand financial figures, offering deeper insights and a comprehensive context for decision-making.
Available in France, Spain, and Germany, Instant Analysis, a feature of Sage Active, is built on Microsoft Azure App Service, Cosmos DB, and Blob Storage. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of small European businesses, allowing them to automate accounting, manage sales and cash flow, and comply with complex regulations. Sage Active also assists in product management, sales optimization, and the efficient creation of professional invoices and quotes, thereby fostering growth and innovation.
Sage Network – Connected Accounting
Sage Network redefines business interactions by automating workflows and synchronizing financial transactions across different companies, including those outside the Sage ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with the broader Microsoft ecosystem, featuring connectors to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365.
The Sage Connect user interface facilitates business networking through Sage Network, offering a secure and simplified platform for managing financial transactions and automating workflows in accounts receivable and payable. This unified platform not only streamlines financial processes and digital workflows but also opens up new opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and growth within the Microsoft ecosystem.
HR and Payroll – Improving Workforce Management
Sage continues to enhance HR and payroll functionalities in partnership with Microsoft, providing SMEs with advanced tools for efficient workforce management. Notable improvements include integrating HR tasks into workflows via Microsoft Teams. For instance, Sage People’s popular absence and leave feature now allows employees to request leave directly through a chatbot in Teams, with approvals managed on the platform and synchronized with Microsoft Outlook calendars.
Additionally, a new interview scheduling feature integrated into Microsoft Outlook enables HR professionals to coordinate interviews swiftly, addressing the demands of today’s competitive job market.
These advancements underscore Sage and Microsoft’s commitment to empowering SMEs with cutting-edge tools and integrated solutions. Together, they continue to drive innovation, ensuring businesses can thrive in an increasingly digital world.
