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Understanding Sage’s software offering in France

Sage, one of the world's largest business software providers, is an essential brand in the industry. With an annual revenue exceeding £2.3 billion and a customer base of over 6 million businesses, Sage has established itself as a major player in business and accounting solutions.

Today, the group offers a wide range of products tailored to different markets and industries. Understanding Sage’s product ecosystem can therefore be complex. This blog aims to help you better understand the Sage universe, with a particular focus on the French market.

4 key points to understand Sage’s offering

Before diving into the different products available in France, it’s important to understand four key characteristics of Sage’s offering.

1. Sage has different product lines based on customer size

To ensure consistency, Sage names its products according to a specific nomenclature called “lines.” Initially, the number following the product name indicated the size of the targeted business. For example, Sage 50 was designed for companies with up to 50 employees, Sage 100 for companies with up to 100 employees, and so on.

Sage offers solutions ranging from small businesses to large corporations.

2. Sage is an international group with a local dimension

Sage operates in over 100 countries through 23 subsidiaries. Each subsidiary provides solutions adapted to its specific market. To ensure local expertise, a company of this scale often grows by acquiring local market leaders. As a result, Sage products that share the same name may actually be completely different software.

Take, for example, Sage 50. The original product was developed in the UK for small businesses. Later, Sage acquired accounting software in other countries targeting the same business segment and renamed them Sage 50, even though they are distinct products:

  • Sage 50 France: CIEL, acquired in 1992
  • Sage 50 US: Peachtree Accounting, acquired in 1998
  • Sage 50 Spain: Contaplus, acquired in 2003
  • Sage 50 Canada: Bedford Accounting, acquired in 2004
  • Sage 50 Belgium: BOB Software, acquired in 2004

💡 Hint: If you want to integrate with Sage 50 globally, you will need to perform multiple integrations. Unless you use Chift’s unified accounting API, which already connects to several Sage 50 versions.

3. Different versions of the same product

Hopefully, things are starting to become clearer. However, there’s another level of detail to consider for each product. Sage’s offerings continuously evolve, meaning that multiple versions of the same software exist.

Take Sage 100 in France as an example. Initially, Sage 100 was an on-premise product installed on a client’s computer or server. Over time, it evolved toward the cloud. Today, there are three types of Sage 100:

  • Sage 100 "on-premise": The historical version installed on a client’s computer or server
  • Sage 100 SPC (Sage Partner Cloud): Installed on a Sage-hosted Azure server
  • Sage 100 Online: A cloud version with more limited capabilities, hosted on a shared Sage server

Furthermore, these products have different versions (e.g., v8.0, v9.0, v10.0, etc.) that reflect continuous software updates.

Since these products have been on the market for a long time, some customers still use very old versions under outdated names. For example, Sage 100 has previously been called Sage 100 i7, Sage 100c, Sage 100 Cloud, and finally Sage 100. It is crucial to know which version of Sage software your client is using.

4. On-premise vs. Cloud vs. SaaS

Since Sage is a long-established player, many of its products have been in use for decades and serve a wide range of businesses. Many of these solutions were developed before the SaaS era and are therefore on-premise tools, meaning they are installed directly on a computer or dedicated server. When such software is installed on a server, Sage refers to it as a Cloud product. However, keep in mind that this is still a traditional software application, just hosted on a server and accessible via the internet.

Sage’s newer products, however, are true SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions. SaaS is a specific category of cloud software where users access the application through a web browser, without any local installation or maintenance.

💡 Hint: You can seamlessly connect to Sage’s on-premise, cloud, and SaaS products using Chift’s unified accounting API. For on-premise software, Chift automatically deploys a local agent that enables API connectivity. More info in our local agents article.

Focus on Sage’s offering in France

As explained earlier, Sage offers a wide range of products for French businesses, from small businesses (TPE) to SMEs, large enterprises, and even industry-specific software. Below is a breakdown of the main software solutions covering business management and accounting in France. Sage also offers payroll solutions, which are not detailed here.

We will cover Sage 50, Sage Active, Sage Batigest, Sage 100, Sage Génération Expert, Sage Intacct, Sage X3, Sage FRP1000, and Sage XRT Solutions.

Sage products for small businesses:

Sage 50

Sage 50 is a business management solution for small businesses. Previously known as “Ciel”, Sage 50 includes both an accounting module and a business management module. This software targets small businesses with between 2 and 20 employees. The software is available in on-premise or cloud versions, but it is not SaaS (see explanation above).

Regarding interoperability with other software, Sage 50 does not have an API, which makes integrations quite cumbersome. However, Sage is working on improving the product to facilitate integrations. Chift is a key partner in these developments, making integration with Sage 50 easily accessible via Chift’s Accounting API.

Sage Active

Sage Active is a SaaS solution for accounting and business management, specifically designed for small businesses. Launched by Sage in February 2023, the solution was first deployed in France before expanding to Spain and Germany. Sage Active is a new product targeting companies of a similar size to those using Sage 50.

It is worth noting that Sage Active will include Sage Copilot, Sage's proprietary generative AI.

Sage Batigest Connect

Sage Batigest Connect is a quotation and invoicing software designed for construction and trade professionals, regardless of their specialty (e.g., masonry, electrical work, plumbing).

Sage products for SMEs:

Sage 100

Sage 100 is one of the most widely used products among French SMEs, with 43,000 clients (source: Sage). Sage 100 consists of two main modules: Sage 100 Comptabilité and Sage 100 Gestion Commerciale. These modules can be used independently or together to form a complete ERP solution for small and medium-sized businesses, called Sage 100 Entreprise.

This product is exclusively distributed through Sage’s partner network, meaning that resellers—who are product experts—help companies configure and integrate it with other tools.

Sage 100 is designed for mid-sized companies (between 50 and 500 employees). It is positioned as a robust solution for businesses whose needs are too complex for basic tools but do not yet require a full-scale enterprise ERP like Sage X3 or SAP.

The product continues to attract companies due to its functional depth and scalability. Today, Sage 100 SPC is the growth driver for Sage 100, gaining increasing traction.

For integrations, Sage 100 does not have a native API; instead, it requires integration through "business objects". This introduces technical constraints and demands an advanced understanding of the software. Additionally, since Sage 100 is installed either locally or on a private server, a specific integration setup is required, including deploying a local agent to enable real-time connectivity. These factors add complexity when a software vendor wants to integrate with Sage 100.

As mentioned earlier, Sage 100 is available in three versions. Below are the key differences, especially in terms of connectivity capabilities:

Sage 100 on-premise  (historical version)
  • Traditional version installed on-premise in client-server mode
  • Native access to Microsoft SQL Server
  • Connectivity:
    • Local access to Sage 100 Business Objects on the client’s server
    • Requires a local agent for real-time connectivity
Sage 100 SPC  (fast-growing version)
  • Hosted on Sage Partner Cloud, Sage’s Microsoft Azure server
  • Native access to Microsoft SQL Server Azure
  • Connectivity:
    • Access to Sage 100 Business Objects specific to the SPC version
    • Requires a local agent for real-time connectivity
Sage 100 Online (limited version, rarely used)
  • Hosted on a shared Microsoft Azure environment managed by Sage
  • No access to Microsoft SQL Server Azure
  • Connectivity:
    • No access to Sage 100 Business Objects
    • No possible integrations
    • Not available in Chift’s unified API: The Chift Unified Accounting API (for Sage 100 Comptabilité) or the Chift Unified Invoicing API (for Sage 100 Gestion Commerciale) allows for seamless integration with Sage 100. Additionally, a local agent is deployed during installation to enable real-time integration. In other words, thanks to Chift, Sage 100 now benefits from a robust API.

Sage products for accounting firms

Sage Génération Experts

Sage Génération Experts (formerly known as Coala) is software specifically designed for accounting firms. It helps accountants manage their practice and produce their clients' accounting more efficiently.

Many SMEs outsource their accounting to accounting firms, making it essential to connect business management software with their accountants' tools to optimize workflows. Sage has partnered with Chift to offer a marketplace of connectors directly within Sage GE. As a result, Sage Génération Experts is now connected to Chift’s POS API, Ecommerce API, and Invoicing API to automatically collect POS Z reports, e-commerce orders, and sales and purchase invoices. For more details on this partnership, you can check out this partnership article (coming soon).

Sage Génération Experts has an API. However, to avoid developing separate logic for each accounting connector, we recommend that software vendors integrate via Chift’s Unified Accounting API. This allows vendors to build a single integration compatible with all accounting tools, including various Sage software solutions.

Sage for Mid-Sized and Large Enterprises

Sage X3

Sage X3 is a comprehensive enterprise management solution designed for mid-sized and large industrial companies. This ERP offers a wide range of features, covering finance, commercial management, production, logistics, and multi-site management.

Sage X3 stands out for its flexibility and ability to adapt to the specific processes of each company, making it particularly suitable for organizations that operate internationally or have complex management requirements.

The key industries for this ERP include: manufacturing, agri-food, chemicals and distribution

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a SaaS-based financial and accounting management software. Originally developed for the Anglo-Saxon market, it was adapted for France in April 2024. It is designed for mid-sized to large businesses with complex financial management needs, looking to automate and optimize financial processes. The software offers advanced features, such as multi-entity and multi-currency consolidation.

Given its recent launch in France, the user base is still relatively small, but the product has enormous potential, and Sage is investing heavily in it. It is expected to become a major player in the French ecosystem quickly.

Like Sage Active, Sage Intacct also includes Sage Copilot, Sage’s AI-powered assistant. Sage Intacct has a well-documented API.

Sage FRP 1000

Sage FRP 1000 is an ERP specialized in financial, accounting, and regulatory management for mid-sized companies and enterprises with complex financial management needs.

Unlike Sage X3, which covers a broader range of processes (finance, production, logistics), FRP 1000 focuses specifically on financial flow consolidation and optimization. In fact, FRP stands for "Financial Resource Planning," reflecting the product's positioning as an ERP dedicated to financial management and regulatory compliance. The 1000 in its name signifies its intermediate positioning between Sage 100 (for SMEs) and Sage X3 (for large enterprises).

Sage XRT Solutions

Sage XRT Solutions is a treasury management platform designed to optimize financial flows and improve cash visibility for businesses. It is a TMS (Treasury Management System) that focuses on enhancing cash management processes, helping companies anticipate liquidity needs and ptimizing banking operations

The solution is available in cloud mode, ensuring secure data access from anywhere.

Building an API integration with Sage: a challenge for software vendors

The Sage ecosystem in France offers many opportunities for software vendors, but it also comes with technical challenges that require tailored solutions. If you are a software vendor looking to integrate your solution with a Sage product, here are the key points to consider:

The transition to SaaS and the persistence of on-premise solutions

Sage is gradually shifting to a SaaS model, making integrations easier with accessible APIs. However, many users still rely on on-premise versions like Sage 50 and Sage 100. These tools, while essential for many businesses, struggle to interconnect with other market solutions. Chift solves this problem with its Unified Accounting API, allowing software vendors to connect on-premise versions just as easily as their cloud equivalents.

Multiple products and versions: Complex development and high maintenance costs

Sage has many products and many versions. If a software vendor wants to “connect to Sage,” they will face a massive workload to develop and deploy integrations, but the biggest challenge is long-term maintenance.

Integration maintenance is often the hidden cost that software vendors underestimate. Instead of managing multiple connections, Chift’s Unified API enables a single integration that connects to all accounting tools, eliminating ongoing maintenance. New Sage connectors can be activated in one click from Chift’s back-office, making it a scalable and robust solution.

Understanding each tool

When a software vendor integrates with another tool, they need a basic understanding of the product. Given Sage’s complex product range, this can be difficult. Chift provides clear and structured documentation for software vendors and their clients, guiding them step by step during integration. This ensures a smooth onboarding experience.

Sage’s direct and indirect sales model

Sage sells software directly and through resellers. One of Sage’s biggest strengths is its large network of integrators. However, this can also be a challenge for software vendors looking to promote an integration in the Sage ecosystem.

Why? Because integrators are often responsible for managing their clients’ IT infrastructure. When integrating with Sage, software vendors must understand that integrators will be the ones implementing or configuring the integration for their clients.

Chift makes this process easier for ISVs (Independent Software Vendors). The platform allows integrators and SMEs to collaborate seamlessly during connector installation.

In summary, the Sage ecosystem offers great potential for software vendors. However, integration challenges can be easily overcome using the Chift integration platform, which simplifies connections and enables vendors to fully leverage opportunities with Sage and other accounting and business software.

Chift: your strategic ally for integrating with Sage

Navigating the Sage ecosystem can be complex for software vendors, but the opportunities it offers are immense. To connect your tools to Sage and meet the growing needs of your users, it is crucial to overcome technical challenges while ensuring a seamless and efficient experience.

With Chift, this challenge turns into an opportunity. Thanks to a unified API, a single integration provides access to key Sage solutions in France and Europe, including Sage 50, Sage 100, and Sage Génération Experts, as well as other essential business tools. This approach optimizes resources and significantly reduces time-to-market.

What sets Chift apart is also its close technology partnership with Sage. As a trusted partner, Chift has access to Sage’s experts and product updates, allowing it to adapt its connectors in advance.

In summary, integrating Sage has never been easier. With Chift, you can focus on what matters: growing your software and unlocking new opportunities.

Curious about how you can use Chift’s Unified Accounting API for your integrations? Reach out to our team for a demo.

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