At Insights 2005, its third annual business partner conference, Sage Software (formerly Best Software) announced today it is expanding its Sage Payroll Services offerings into mid-market companies and organizations. Offered within the framework of Sage Online Services, the new outsourced payroll services for the mid-market will be added to the company’s existing Peachtree Payroll Service for small businesses, which currently has more than 5,000 customers. Sage Software's other online service offerings for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) include Sage Compliance Services, formerly known as FLS tax compliance services, and SageCRM.com for hosted CRM.

“Sage Payroll Services is the most comprehensive, affordably-priced business solution of its kind on the market, combining advanced payroll services with superior accounting integration to address the complete needs of small and mid-sized companies,” said Ron Verni, president and CEO, Sage Software. “Our track record in online payroll is already well established with the thousands of customers who we serve through the Peachtree Payroll Service. Now, both our small business and mid-sized business customers can have payroll any way they want it – outsourced through the payroll service, or in-house via our on-premises solutions.”

Built on a true Web-native architecture, the new Sage Payroll Services include Sage Payroll Services Abra Edition, which integrates with Sage Abra HRMS (human resources management system) solution, Sage Payroll Services MAS Edition, which integrates with the company’s Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 accounting products, and a stand-alone Sage Payroll Services offering, which can be used in conjunction with any in-house accounting system. Peachtree Payroll Service is also built on the same Web-native architecture, but especially meets the needs of small businesses by integrating with the company’s Peachtree by Sage accounting products.

Sage Payroll Services is designed to provide the full functionality of other traditional service bureaus, but with unique advantages designed specifically to address the needs of SMBs, including:
·        Tight integration to both installed accounting and HRMS
         systems, from Peachtree by Sage, Sage MAS 90,
         Sage MAS 200, and other GL packages, to the
         award-winning Sage Abra HRMS solutions;
·        Supported by local business partners able to service the
         full solution from a single vendor;
·        Available 24x7;
·        Real-time, instantaneous reports;
·        On-demand check printing from the desktop, as well as
         remote check and W-2 printing and delivery;
·        No technical requirements beyond a high-speed Internet
         connection and desktop PC.

Adds Verni, “Today, through Sage Payroll Services, we are able to offer SMBs the most affordable price for business’ payroll solutions that tightly integrate into their Sage accounting applications.”

Sage Software’s mid-market business partners will work closely with Sage Software’s in-house Payroll Service team to ensure success, referring Sage Payroll Services and serving in an account management role after implementation.

Availability
Sage Payroll Services Abra Edition, Sage Payroll Services MAS Edition, and the stand-alone Sage Payroll Services installations will take place in September.