IM

R Version 5.4
Summary of Release
E ¾ Exciting new application coming soon!

L ______ ¾ Global Enhancements

o Enhanced Context Launcher

E Your Business in Mind
o Quick Print Documents

A ______
o

o
Automated DSN Creation

Improved Efficiency in the Parameter

Screens
S o Business Insights Professional

E o Customization Workbench

o Enhanced email Distribution

o Queue Repair Enhancement

G o Business Objects Crystal Reports

Version 10

U ¾
o Merged DDF Files

Financial and Distribution Applications

I o Bank Book Enhancement

o Improved Pre-payment Processing

D o Enhanced Spreadsheet Import

E ¾
o Void Posted (Cash) Receipt Utility

Process Manufacturing Applications

Announcement Date: April 2005 o Universal Notes and Attachments

Beta Release Date: June 2005 o Formula Approval

Controlled Release Date: July 2005 o Formula Entry Templates

o Enhanced Multi-Currency Pricing

Release Date: September 2005
o Lot Recall Report

Corporate Headquarters: 56 Technology Drive Irvine, California 92618-2301 Phone: 949-753-1222 Toll Free: 800-854-3415 Fax: 949-753-9761 Web: http://www.sagesoftware.com/

Sage Software, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents of this document publication and
specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
Release Guide
Sage PFW 5.4

We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/or make improvements or changes to the products or
programs described in this publication at any time, without notice.

Copyright© 2005 by Sage Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Sage Software, Inc.

Trademark Acknowledgments:

The Sage Software logo and the Sage Software product and service names mentioned herein are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software, Inc. or its affiliated entities. Platinum is a registered trademark licensed
from PLATINUM Technology International, Inc. BatchMaster is a registered trademark licensed from EWorkplace
Solutions, Inc. Adobe and Adobe are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporate. Pervasive,
Pervasive.SQL, Scalable SQL, and the Pervasive Software logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pervasive
Software. Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, MS-DOS, and Microsoft Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. FRx is a registered trademark of
FRx Software Corporation. Crystal Reports is a registered trademark and technology of Business Objects, SA. HMIS®
is a registered trade and service mark of the NPCA. Other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Coming Soon............................................................................................................................................. 1
2.1. Customer Insights................................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Release Details ......................................................................................................................................... 1
3.1. Global Enhancements ............................................................................................................................................ 1
3.1.1. Enhanced Context Launcher ..............................................................................................................................................1
3.1.2. Quick Print Documents......................................................................................................................................................3
3.1.3. Automated DSN Creation ..................................................................................................................................................3
3.1.4. Improved Efficiency in the Parameter Screens ..................................................................................................................3
3.1.5. Business Insights Professional ...........................................................................................................................................3
3.1.6. Customization Workbench.................................................................................................................................................4
3.1.7. Queue Repair Enhancement...............................................................................................................................................4
3.1.8. Enhanced e-mail Distribution ............................................................................................................................................4
3.1.9. Business Objects Crystal Reports Version 10....................................................................................................................4
3.1.10. Merged DDF Files .............................................................................................................................................................5
3.2. Financial & Distribution Applications ................................................................................................................. 5
3.2.1. Bank Book Enhancement...................................................................................................................................................5
3.2.2. Improved Pre-payment Processing ....................................................................................................................................5
3.2.3. Enhanced Spreadsheet Import............................................................................................................................................5
3.2.4. Void Posted (Cash) Receipt Utility....................................................................................................................................5
3.3. Process Manufacturing Applications.................................................................................................................... 5
3.3.1. Universal Notes and Attachments......................................................................................................................................5
3.3.2. Formula Approval..............................................................................................................................................................6
3.3.3. Formula Entry Templates...................................................................................................................................................6
3.3.4. Enhanced Multi-Currency Pricing .....................................................................................................................................7
3.3.5. Lot Recall Report ...............................................................................................................................................................7
3.4. Data Conversion ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Problem Reports Fixed........................................................................................................................... 7
5. User Guides and Help ............................................................................................................................. 7
6. Product Distribution................................................................................................................................ 7
7. Compatible Products .............................................................................................................................. 7
8. System Requirements............................................................................................................................. 7
 8.1. Installation .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
8.2. System Configuration............................................................................................................................................. 8
8.2.1. Network File Server...........................................................................................................................................................8
8.2.2. Citrix Metaframe XP with Feature Release 2 Server .........................................................................................................8
8.2.3. Sage PFW Client Workstations and Process Application Servers.....................................................................................8

9. Product Support ....................................................................................................................................... 8

10. Contact Information ................................................................................................................................ 9
 Release Guide
Sage PFW 5.4

customer information into a single easy to navigate

1. INTRODUCTION view. With Customer Insights employees will be well
informed on all aspects of the customer so they can
We are excited to announce that Platinum for Window quickly respond to customer inquiries, effectively sell
by Best (PFW) and BatchMasterPFW are now Sage more products, and quote accurate product pricing.
PFW 100 ERP! Our powerful financial, distribution and Customer Insights will facilitate quick access to detailed
process manufacturing applications are now one credit status, pricing, quotes, orders, sales information,
comprehensive solution. Process manufacturers will history information and…the list goes on! You can even
notice a minor change in a few application names to use flexible PivotTable functionality to pinpoint vital
differentiate our process manufacturing applications. information. The more customer knowledge you have,
Only the process manufacturing applications listed the easier it is to provide exceptional service and create
below have changed. If you are using the Sage PFW revenue opportunities from existing customers.
Inventory, Sales Order, or Purchase Order applications Customers are the lifeline of your business—handle
without process manufacturing, the applications are them with insight!
considered distribution applications and have not
changed.
The application name changes include:
• Inventory Pro
• Order Entry Pro
• Purchasing Pro
• System Manager Pro
The Sage PFW 5.4 release reflects Sage Software’s on-
going commitment to develop new features and enhance
existing features as requested by many of you. We
carefully research enhancement requests to select the
features that will offer the most benefit to our existing
customers and future customers. This new application will be introduced following the 5.4
The following sections highlight most of the features in release. For more information, visit our website and
this release. As always, refer to your Upgrade Guide for watch for upcoming Webcasts on Customer Insights.
more details on specific features. While reading through
these features you will notice a strong focus on user 3. RELEASE DETAILS
efficiency! Sage 5.4 includes several new features to
improve usability and save time! These new features 3.1. Global Enhancements
and enhancements will automate processes, eliminate
unnecessary steps and allow you to get your work done This section includes product changes to the complete
even faster! Sage PFW suite of applications.

3.1.1. Enhanced Context Launcher

2. COMING SOON
2.1. Customer Insights
Before we get into features of this release, we have
more exciting news to share with you. Based on your
feedback in our customer survey, we will soon be
launching an additional application, Customer Insights.
This powerful application provides a comprehensive
view of each customer, bringing together a variety of
The ability to quickly and efficiently open related menu
options for Customer Keys and Vendor Keys from your
context menu was introduced via the Context Launcher
in version 5.3. Now the Context Launcher has even
more! This great enhancement allows you to quickly
inquire on Customer or Vendor information and access
related menu options for Item Keys as well.

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The Context Launcher will allow you to access

Customer/Vendor Profile information and Customer
Statement details much faster. Detailed billing, aging,
transaction, and history information is just a few clicks
away.
For example, if you are entering an invoice and you
need to see information on a past invoice, you would
simply right click on the Customer Key and select the
Customer Profile Report option. The Customer Key that
is active in Sales Order Entry will automatically pass to
the Customer Profile Report Parameter screen, and
once you select process, you can view the details for
that specific customer.

For example, while adding an Invoice in Invoice Entry

you can now right-click in the Item Key field to launch
the Sales History List for a particular Item Key. The Item
and Customer Key that is active in Invoice Entry will
automatically pass to the Sales History List lookup and
display only the historical activity for that specific item
and customer key.
You can use the right-click in the following areas and
view the following information for an item. Remember
that if your application names have “Pro” on the end, you
are using the process manufacturing applications.

Quickly Access the following Global Menu Items and

Information:
• Inventory Transaction Entry
3.1.1.1. Context Launcher on Item Key:
• Available Balances
Sales History information, available balances, Serial/Lot
details, and much more is now also just a right-click • Sales History
away! The new Item Key Context Launcher provides
• Vendor Item List
quick and easy access to vital inventory information and
several related menu items. Quickly Access the following Financial/Distribution Menu
Items and Information:
• Item Master
• Item Location
• Vendor Item File Maintenance
• Serial/Lot Availability

Quickly access the following Process Manufacturing

Menu Items and Information:
• Item Entry
• QC Result Entry

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• Customer Item File Maintenance 3.1.3. Automated DSN Creation

• Material Usage DSN creation is easy and automatic! The server based
DSN creation functionality has been added to the Sage
• Lot Availability
PFW Company Setup Wizard. The Company Setup
• Item Production List wizard automatically creates a DSN on the server where
the company data files are located. This occurs when
• Vendor Lead Time / Quote you create a new company, modify an existing company
or select the option to create DSN’S for all existing
3.1.2. Quick Print Documents companies.
Single-click printing is here! The Quick Print feature Additionally, the upcoming Customer Insights application
provides you with an easy-to-use shortcut for printing and other future features will use the Pervasive
documents. You can save valuable time by quickly Relational Engine to access the company database.
printing documents from directly within the entry screen.
Simply click on the new print button located between the
3.1.4. Improved Efficiency in the Parameter
save and delete buttons.
Screens
The Quick Print feature enables faster access to printed
All parameter screens have been updated to enhance
documents in several entry screens.
usability! We have updated the parameter screens to
Distribution and Process Manufacturing Entry Screens: incorporate the Pre-saved Parameters View List and the
menu item parameter options onto one screen. The new
• Invoice Entry
design includes a search field that facilitates locating a
• Credit Memo Entry particular pre-saved parameter. We have also added a
new button that allows you to quickly repeat the
• Purchase Order Entry beginning range field into the ending range field! Users
• Sales Order Entry can now get to the information they need faster!

Process Manufacturing Entry Screens:

• Return Entry
The Quick Print feature utilizes the same logic as
printing a document, without posting it, through the
associated print and post menu item. The Quick Print
button is controlled by security, so users must have
security rights to run the associated print menu item.

3.1.5. Business Insights Professional

Business Insights consolidates critical information and
enables single click access to analytical and
collaborative tools. Information is easily accessible and

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can be displayed in a variety of graphs and tables. This

graphical presentation makes it possible to interpret
large amounts of data and quickly identify business
patterns and exceptions. We are pleased to offer new
Performance Indicators (PI), Sales Analysis and Daily
Order Summary.
The Sales Analysis PI provides a multitude of views on
past sales to assist in accurately identifying the
customers, salespeople and items that drive the most
revenue. This powerful tool also allows you to
determine seasonal or recurring trends in your business.
With this information, you can improve vendor and
customer relations based on volumes, costs and
profitability.
The Daily Order Summary PI provides a synopsis of Multi-task while performing translations and save time!
orders over the user defined number of days. Know, The Language Editor now allows multiple instances of
every day, the number of orders entered, the average itself, allowing translators to view / translate different
dollars per order, the total dollars per day, and more! language files at the same time.
The new Find/Find Next functionality in the Component
3.1.6. Customization Workbench
Browser will simplify locating things in the list.
The Customization Workbench (CWB) has received a
makeover! Now 32-bit, it has an updated look and feel 3.1.7. Queue Repair Enhancement
that supports all Windows color schemes and enhances
usability. In order to save you time during upgrades and Queue Repair now allows you to select multiple users or
new installations, the CWB Server and Client installation multiple queues to be repaired using standard Windows
are now included in the standard Sage PFW installation. SHIFT or CTRL key selection functionality.
All you need to do is select the new CWB options during
the Sage PFW install, instead of running a separate
server and client install. We’ve also made several
modifications to the individual CWB components that will
improve your workflow and make customizations easier
than ever.
The foremost improvement is in how you add columns to
lookups – now the Column Properties screen is a single
screen and it defaults with the defined properties of the
field. This promotes consistency in the field definitions
within the lookup.
In the Lookup Editor you can view the exact size and
format of the modified lookup. A new Compare button is
now available directly from the Lookup Editor.

3.1.8. Enhanced e-mail Distribution

You can distribute your reports with confidence! In prior
versions reports were distributed as Crystal Reports
which required the recipient to have Crystal Reports

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installed in order to open the report. Additionally, the
report could be modified. In this release, we have
changed the distribution format to a .pdf file, so the
report can not be modified. And, since Adobe Reader is
free, anyone can read this distribution format.
You will no longer need to open your report in the
Crystal Viewer and export it to a .pdf format. With this
release you can take advantage of the distribution tab
and be confident that the report is in a format anyone
can read.
3.1.9. Business Objects Crystal Reports
Version 10
Now you can take advantage of the latest features in
Crystal Reports version 10! Sage PFW now utilizes
version 10 of Crystal Reports, but you will see very little
change in the reports. However, when you work on
your custom Crystal Reports, you can dock the Field
Explorer, making it easier to work on reports and see the
formulas and fields at the same time. Plus the Report
Explorer lets you see which fields and formulas have
already been inserted in the report, and where.
Good news! This version of Crystal Reports provides
you the search functionality you need. Now you can
search any sub-report as well as the main report, so you
can locate data in large reports more efficiently.
3.1.10. Merged DDF Files
You no longer need to manage two sets of Data
Definition Files! Sage PFW 5.4 contains only one set of
DDF files which includes all of the financial, distribution,
and processing manufacturing data file definitions.
The DDF merge may affect custom reports for process
manufacturing and any other reports that use our DDF
files. In prior versions, financial tables and process
manufacturing tables contained common fields with
different names. We have changed the field names in
the current DDFs to reflect the name used in the
financial applications.
Combining these DDF files provides consistency across
all applications, and eliminates confusion as we move
forward with one complete product, Sage PFW.
Combining these DDF files will also save you time
during future upgrades.
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3.2. Financial & Distribution Applications
3.2.1. Bank Book Enhancement
Sage PFW previously offered the ability to print and post
batches of transactions by User ID. Now the same
functionality has been added to Bank Book too! We
had several requests to allow users to Post Journal
Entries and print a Journal Entry Listing by User ID in
Bank Book. Now you can!
3.2.2. Improved Pre-payment Processing
This release of Sage PFW will save you time when
processing pre-payments entered in Sales Order Entry.
Prior versions required you to manually apply the on-
account pre-payment entries to the appropriate posted
invoices. Now the Print and Post Invoices posting
program will automatically apply the ONACT payments
to invoices being created.
3.2.3. Enhanced Spreadsheet Import
A new column token, DATE, has been added to the
Spreadsheet Import Utility. This token is optional and
allows you to automatically populate your apply date
information at the line item level when you are importing
a Journal Batch with several different Line Item Detail
Apply Dates. Simply define the new token and the line
item detail apply dates entered in the column will be
automatically assigned during the import to the General
Ledger. This new feature is sure to increase accuracy
and save time.
3.2.4. Void Posted (Cash) Receipt Utility
Another popular request was the ability to process NSF
checks in the Accounts Receivable application. To help
you minimize steps and ensure accuracy, we have
added a Void Posted Receipt utility capable of voiding
any posted cash receipt, including those applied on
account or those posted to history. Plus, you can
eliminate the overhead associated with processing
returned checks by charging bank fees and/or additional
customer fees, if they apply. Once a receipt is voided,
the invoice will be automatically re-activated.

3.3. Process Manufacturing Applications
3.3.1. Universal Notes and Attachments
Your need to access critical information directly from
Sage PFW inspired the Universal Notes and
Attachments feature released in version 5.2. Now
process manufacturing users can take advantage of this
powerful feature for both Items and Formulas. Save time
by having vital details, such as item specifications,
formula secrets, and other valuable information at your
fingertips.
The Universal Notes and Attachments feature has been
added for Item Keys in the Item Entry document entry
screen and to the Item Master file maintenance screen.
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The Formula Entry document entry screen will support
Universal Notes and Attachments for Formula Keys.
The Formula Notes are editable in Product Cost
Analysis and Physical Property Analysis for formulas
that have been approved. In addition, Notes and
Attachments defined for Item and Formula keys will be
viewable in lookup windows defined for these keys.
Action notes will be displayed for Item and Formula Keys
in any entry screen in which they can be used.
3.3.2. Formula Approval
Sage PFW offers many features to keep unauthorized
users from accessing and modifying crucial information.
However, due to increasing government restrictions,
many process manufacturing companies need additional
protection from authorized users on sensitive formula
data. We are pleased to introduce a new Formula
Approval feature that will further protect critical formula
data.
The Formula Approval feature:
• Utilization is optional and is controlled through
Formulas Application Setup.
• Once the process is activated all current
formulas are set to a status of "Approved."
• Users with security access to standard formula,
laboratory, and costing menu items will not be
able to modify/delete approved formulas.
• Laboratory/Costing "what-if" functionality is
maintained through the formula copy feature;
however, the newly saved formula will be set to
an “Unapproved” status.
• User with security access to the new Formula
Approval Utility can set the formula status to
"Unapproved."
• Users with security access to standard formula,
laboratory, and costing menu items will be able
to modify/delete the unapproved formula
information.
• Production will prevent batch processing for any
unapproved formula.
• When formulation is complete, a user with
security access to the new Formula Approval
Utility can set the formula status to "Approved."

3.3.3. Formula Entry Templates
The Template feature allows you to define multiple
views, as well as define object properties and behaviors.
The Templates are now available in Formula Entry. By
designing Templates, you can;
• Enhance user security by adding field level
security
• Control work flow by restricting entry to fields
specific to your business
• Ease the data entry process by limiting the
number of tabs and fields that a user must visit
• Create screens that are specific to your
business processes
• Select the desired lookup for the fields found in
Formula Entry
3.3.4. Enhanced Multi-Currency Pricing
In the 5.3 version of the Order Entry Pro application, all
prices are expressed in one currency, the Home
currency, and are subsequently converted to the
Customer’s Natural currency based on the exchange
rate of the date of the transaction, making it very difficult
to quote an exact price to a customer whose currency
differs from Home currency. To address this issue, we
modified the Order Entry Pro pricing to allow you to
express a Base Price as well as Price Break information
in the customer’s Natural currency, so the pricing will not
fluctuate due to a constantly changing exchange rate.
The changes made to version 5.4 are specifically
designed to support expressing prices in Natural
currencies in order to insulate pricing from currency
fluctuations.
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3.3.5. Lot Recall Report
A new Lot Recall Report has been added to the
Production application to assist companies with
addressing traceability requirements enforced by the
FDA, as specified in the BioTerrorism Act of 2002. You
may be required to provide the FDA with the specific
ingredient sources and/or finished good recipients of a
particular lot. This report can quickly provide this
information for raw materials, finished goods, by-
products and in-house intermediates, including detailed
information on vendors, customers, transporters, stock
quantities, and much more.
3.4. Data Conversion
Sage PFW users will have a small data conversion, so
the impact of this release will be minor.
Refer to the Upgrade Guide for specific requirements
and recommendation.
4. PROBLEM REPORTS FIXED
As is normal with each release, we have been able to
close a number of outstanding Problem Tracking Report
(PTR) items. Please refer to Sage Software Online for a
list of the more important issues closed in this release.
5. USER GUIDES AND HELP
Please also note that there have been a number of
smaller improvements in the product that are not
documented in this release guide. Refer to the user
guides and help as necessary.
6. PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION
This release will be distributed to end-users
automatically. End users must be on Sage PFW version
5.x, and be current on maintenance as of the release
date.
Business Partners, Authorized Consultants, Solutions
Providers, and Master Developers will automatically be
shipped the GA release.
7. COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS
Please note that some product versions have not
changed. Therefore, the installation and registration
screens may refer to PFW 5.1 yet are also compatible
with PFW 5.4.
 Release Guide
Sage PFW 5.4

Compatible Versions: Hardware Recommendation

• 1.8 GHz Pentium processor
Product Version • 1 GB RAM minimum
Abra 7.4* • 2 GB or greater free hard disk space
Abra Link 5.1
• Monitor: VGA
AuditMaster 6.1
• 32-bit NIC
Crystal 10

FAS 2005.1* Please note these recommendations are for the files
installed by Sage PFW. Please increase hard drive
FAS Universal Link 5.3
space if needed to accommodate for companies with
FRx 6.7 (R03) high transaction volumes and transaction history.
Pervasive.SQL v8.1

Premier Budgeting and Advanced Allocations 5.2 8.2.2. Citrix Metaframe XP with Feature
StarShip 9.0
Release 2 Server
*version number subject to change Network Operating Systems
Windows 2000 Server (SP 4 or later with Terminal
Services (Application Mode)), Windows 2003 Server,
8. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Enterprise Edition (Application Mode).
Minimum Hardware Requirements
8.1. Installation
When upgrading client workstations from a previous • 1.8 GHz Pentium processor
version of Sage PFW, it is critical that you uninstall any • 512 MB RAM minimum
previous version of the Sage PFW client. Simply
installing the new version over the old will not work. • 128 MB additional RAM for each additional client
Conflicting DLLs may exist on the workstation. Please session
see the upgrade guide for more details. • 5 GB or more free hard disk space
• 2 GB free hard disk space for each additional
8.2. System Configuration
client session
The minimum system configurations are as follows:
Hardware Recommendation
8.2.1. Network File Server • 1.8 GHz Pentium processor
Network Operating Systems • 1 GB RAM
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES Basic Edition (Kernel • 256 MB additional RAM for each additional client
Version 2.4 or above), Windows 2000 Server, Windows session
2003 Server, or Citrix Metaframe XP, using Terminal
Services. • 5 GB or more free hard disk space

Minimum Hardware Requirements • 2 GB free hard disk space for each additional
client session
• 500 MHz Pentium processor
• 512 MB RAM minimum 8.2.3. Sage PFW Client Workstations and
Process Application Servers
• 1 GB or greater free hard disk space
Operating Systems
• Monitor: VGA
Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later), or Windows
• 32-bit NIC XP Professional (SP1a or later). Note that if you are

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using a PAS, it is not supported concurrently on a client

machine or on the PFW Server.
These requirements are valid for clients connected to a
Citrix Metaframe XP or a Linux Server.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
• 500 MHz Pentium processor
• 256 MB RAM Minimum
• 500 MB free hard disk space
• Monitor: VGA
• CD-ROM drive (one per network)
• 32-bit NIC
Hardware Recommendation
• 1.8 GHz Pentium processor
• 512 MB RAM minimum
• 1 GB or greater free hard disk space
• Monitor: SVGA
• 32-bit NIC

9. PRODUCT SUPPORT
We will continue to support one prior version of Sage
PFW, version 5.3. Versions prior to 5.3 will not be
supported, so it is important that you schedule your
upgrade with your business partner. Be sure to keep
your Sage PFW version current to receive the latest
feature enhancements and 1099 tax updates.

10. CONTACT INFORMATION

Sage Software
56 Technology Drive
Irvine, CA 92618-2301
(949) 753-1222 main
(800) 854-3415 toll-free
(949) 753-1593 fax
www.sagesoftware.com world wide web

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