Sage opens up on integration

Sage will open up its software to third parties under an integration program designed to get all its apps talking to one another.

The accountancy specialist’s Application Integration Services technology will underpin links between its UK mid-market and small business accounting and CRM packages.

This means, for example, that customer information need only be entered into Sage’s products once, rather than being input into the CRM and accounting products separately. Eventually all the UK products will be linked by the software, said Gerry Carr, Sage’s CRM solutions marketing manager.

At the same time, said Carr, AIS will allow Sage’s apps to be linked to third party applications. Sage customers should be oblivious to the AIS technology. Hitching up Sage apps to third party software will likely be a job for ISVs, Carr said.

Carr said the same integration model will be applied to Sage’s products in the US and Europe.

Initially, Sage Instant Accounts, Sage Line 50 and Sage Mid Market Solution (MMS) will be linked with the ACT! and ACT! Professional CRM products. Sage Financials MMS will be linked to SalesLogix and Sage CRM MMS, Sage Line 200/500 linked to SalesLogix, and ACCPAC Advantage Series linked to Sage CRM Mid Market Edition.®