There are three "models" in the range, which build upon each other by the addition of more advanced functions to cover most aspects of financial accounting and control. The range starts at Accountant, and progresses through Accountant Plus and Financial Controller.

Four Windows versions of Sage Line 50 have now been released. A number of presentational and functional improvements were made to the package in the Version 3 release. The changes in Version 4 are mainly cosmetic to the user. Accountants in practice are likely to meet all four versions. These notes are as general possible although unless noted as being for the earlier version all specific instructions will be for the new versions. Details of the differences to previous versions can be found in the help system.

With the Windows compliant menu system Windows version users should have no difficulty in finding their way around the package.

Year 2000

Sage Line 50 V4.1 is now ready to accept dates after 31/12/99 as it displays data using a four digit year.

Starting Sage Line 50

In Windows Sage can be started in a number of ways:

For both Windows 3.1 and Windows '95

• Include the application icon in the Start Up group
• In File Manager/Windows Explorer, double-click on the SFW.EXE file

This file will normally be found in the SFW folder.

• Add to the Office Suite Toolbar

For details of this procedure see the help notes for the Office Suite you are using.

For Windows 3.1

• In Program Manager, double-click on the application icon from the Sage group

This is created automatically by the Setup program.

For Windows '95

• From the Windows 95 Taskbar, click the Start button
• From the Start menu, select Programs and then Sage

This is created automatically by the Setup program.

Add the program to the Start menu

• Right-click on the Taskbar

A pop-up menu is displayed.

• Select Properties

The Taskbar Properties dialogue box is displayed.

• Select the Start Menu Programs tab

• Click Add...
• Into text box type C:/sfw/sfw.exe

OR

• Click Browse... to find the sfw.exe program

Once the application icon is on the Start menu it can be accessed by a single left click.

Passwords

Whenever a computer is used for accounting, a password system should be used. The password in version 4 is set on the Settings menu using the Change Password option.

Six key instructions about using Passwords

• Passwords should be a mixture of alpha and numeric sequence
• Passwords should be changed regularly (at least every two months), and should not be of a personal nature such as pet’s names, types of cars, colleague’s names or the words "password", "accounts" and so on
• Passwords should not be divulged to anyone, and should not be written down
• Passwords can be directly related to the level of access so users should always log off the system when leaving the computer unattended
• After system installation delete the password used by the engineers as it allows unlimited access to the system. Enter a new password as soon as live accounting data is input
• When a user leaves the company delete them from the system

Even when the proprietor alone uses the system, the password should be changed regularly if other people are involved in the business.

Change Password

This option in the Settings menu enables individual user’s to change their own password.

Log Off

In access controlled systems all users should log off (that is, quit the system) when they leave the computer which is running the Sage program. This option leaves the main Sage program running (in background if necessary) so that another user may use the computer.

To log off

• From the File menu, select Log Off