Sage Study: SMBs Processing Payments Directly in Accounting and CRM Solutions Save Time and Money

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 12, 2014) - Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) save several thousand dollars annually and an average of almost five minutes per transaction by processing payments directly in their accounting and ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems, according to the results of a Sage Integrated Payments Study. Conducted by analyst firm SMB Group, Inc., and commissioned by Sage North America, the two-part study also reveals the current payment environment is complicated, fragmented and rapidly evolving.

"SMBs need to simplify their payments environment," said Greg Hammermaster, president of Sage Payment Solutions, the payments division for Sage North America. "Today's payments landscape is highly fragmented, with low levels of support and high levels of uncertainty. Payments technology is evolving, and sometimes it's nothing more than packaging a very limited solution into a mobile app. However, more meaningful developments are in the back office, where integrating payments with accounting and CRM solutions is reducing real costs and improving audit positions, controls and visibility into a business' cash flow. To attract more customers, gain new business and even enter new markets, businesses really need the ability to expand their payment options -- from mobile payments and gift cards to virtual checks -- and in a best-case scenario, with automated back-office integration."

According to the Sage Integrated Payments Study, checks and credit/debit cards are the top payment methods accepted by SMBs -- at 45.3 percent and 22 percent of all transactions, respectively -- while ACH (Automated Clearing House) accounts for 11 percent. At 5.6 percent of all transactions, business cards are also increasing in prevalence.

The Sage Integrated Payments Study respondents identified new payment system capabilities they view as very or somewhat beneficial. The top three are:

• Viewing all payment transactions in real time by device and accessing all management reports in one place (73%).
• Using a single username and password for access to all payment systems (64%).
• Processing all payment types and connecting all payment devices (60%).

"As types of payments, payment devices and transaction volumes continue to multiply, manual re-entry into and reconciliation of payment information with accounting and ERP solutions becomes a time-consuming and error-prone process," said Laurie McCabe, a partner with SMB Group. "Forward-thinking SMB decision makers are turning to integrated, flexible payment management solutions. By integrating payments with accounting/ERP systems and deploying a unified payment solution across different payment accounts, devices and applications, these businesses can reduce complexity, streamline processing and satisfy customers' purchasing needs and expectations."

Methodology
The Sage Integrated Payments Study was designed, fielded and analyzed by SMB Group, Inc. on behalf of Sage Payment Solutions in October 2013. The study sample included 247 Sage Payment Solutions and Sage Accounting/ERP SMB customers using Sage integrated payment solutions. The study included two parts: the first based on qualitative customer discussions and entitled "Driving Business Growth and Efficiency with Integrated Payments," and the second a quantitative research survey entitled "Adding Business Value with Integrated Payment Solutions," which compared cost, time and productivity benefits gained by businesses using Sage integrated payments solutions and Sage Exchange. Respondents to the study consisted of 33 percent CFOs/controllers/account managers, 32 percent CEOs/owners/presidents, 25 percent office managers, 5 percent CIOs/CTOs/IT managers and 4 percent partners. The full findings of the Sage Integrated Payments Study can be found here and here.

About The Sage Group plc
We provide small and medium-sized organizations with a range of easy-to-use, secure, and efficient business management software and services -- from accounting and payroll to enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, and payments. Our customers receive continuous advice and support through our global network of local experts to help them solve their business problems, giving them the confidence to achieve their business ambitions. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and entered the FTSE 100 in 1999. Sage has over 6 million customers and more than 12,700 employees in 24 countries covering the UK & Ireland, mainland Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, Asia, and Brazil. For further information please visit: www.sage.com

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