SageLive Live from Sage !
SageLive is reported to be Sage accounting software entry into what is know as SAAS - software as a service.
The SageLive system has been developed as an online accounting system much like the only current system Kashflow. From reading around the forums it was perhaps obvious that Sage would be going down this route as Duane at kashflow has a) been asking why no one else has developed this and b) has had offers from ex sage directors for his business.
It’s certainly an interesting tactic from Duane. On the one hand he is promoting Sage Live in press releases and on his site but is carefully integrating Kashflow into anything he publishes. We will see if this tactic pays off. If Sage Live is indeed the same but better then perhaps many of his customers will migrate over because SageLive is a much cheaper option and Kashflow have recently increased their pricing.
The great thing however about having customers in your own system is it sets up massive barriers to entry. I am not sure if Kashflow have an export facility into Sage (my guess is it’s the other way around) but if there is no easy method to export data from Kashflow into SageLive most customer will stay where they are so long as Duane doesn’t increase his prices too high. (currently £15.99 per month whereas SageLive is reported to be £10 per month)
With the massive machine that Sage have behind them this is going to be an interesting battle between the start up and the existing market leader.
You can read what Duane says about this here.
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December 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
“If Sage Live is indeed the same but better”
It wont be, no worries there!
“The great thing however about having customers in your own system is it sets up massive barriers to entry. I am not sure if Kashflow have an export facility into Sage (my guess is it’s the other way around)!”
We make it very easy for customer to move from us to other providers (including Sage). It keeps us on our toes and enxures we give very good service when we know a customer can leave very easily.
Another reason for us breaking the news is that (hopefully), anyone searching Google for “Sagelive” for the next few months will find us at the top of the list : )
Duane Jackson
Founder & MD
KashFlow Accounting Software