Timeslips is a product of Sage Software, Inc., and Sage and Timeslips are registered trademarks of Sage Software, Inc., or its affiliated entities.
Sage Timeslips
As Sage Timeslips celebrates 30 years of tracking time and generating bills, a big change is introduced. With the introduction of Timeslips 2016 there are now two versions. Sage Timeslips 2016 BDE, expected to be released in late August, uses the same Paradox/BDE database structure users have known for years. Sage Timeslips Premium introduces a Firebird SQL database to offer greater capacity and better performance for firms that were outgrowing Sage Timeslips.
Sage Timeslips Premium introduces more than a new database and the promise that you won’t have to purge when you reach 300,000 slips. With the Premium version, Sage Timeslips also introduces a new sales and pricing model. For years Timeslips has been sold as a program you purchase and optionally upgrade each year. Sage provided support for 3 years and you had the option to purchase a support plan that may have included upgraded. Sage Timeslips 2016 BDE still offers this option.
Sage Timeslips Premium is sold on a subscription basis. This is in-line with the direction Sage is taking with all of its products. You can purchase the subscription on a monthly or annual basis at one of three levels. All levels provide telephone support from Sage and ongoing upgrades. The difference depends on whether you want credit card processing and 1 or more e-center licenses included. As long as you are running a supported version of Sage Timeslips e-center will work with either version of Sage Timeslips.
For those not aware, Sage Timeslips E-center is a web based application for entering time and expense from anywhere or on any device with which you have internet access. Client information is uploaded from Sage Timeslips to E-center and time and expense slips are downloaded into the main database for billing and reporting.
There are several changes to the license agreement to go with this new pricing model. First, the return policy. “If You purchase an On-Premise Subscription License, there is no option to return the Program. Instead, You may terminate Your On-Premise Subscription License in accordance with the termination provision in this Agreement.”
Under the Grant of License, there is a requirement to install on a computer connected to the Internet and well as statements regarding use only during the license period. Prices can be changed with 30 days notice. “If You purchase an On-Premise License, You may use the Program only if You pay the required On- Premise License fee or fees when due and accept the terms as indicated above. If You purchase an On-Premise Subscription License, You may use the Program only for the subscription period for which Sage has received Your On-Premise Subscription License fees and if You accept the terms as indicated above. The On-Premise Subscription License fees may be changed from time to time by providing You with thirty (30) days prior notice. An On-Premise Subscription License to the Program must be installed on a computer that is connected to the Internet.”
If you stop paying the subscription the program goes into Read only mode. “Please note that any of the following will cause Your Program to revert to “read only” mode: (i) failure to pay Your subscription fee; (ii) termination of this Agreement; (iii) cancellation or non-renewal of Your subscription; or (iv) if you are a Sage Accountants Network (“SAN”) member and fail to pay your SAN fees. Full Program functionality will not be restored until Your account is brought current, which will require payment of all past due fees plus a reactivation fee.” This is a change from the buy and indefinite use model in the Paradox/BDE version.
So now you have a choice – more capacity and better performance with a subscription license or the traditional version. Note that Sage has not made a definitive statement regarding how many years they will continue releasing a BDE version.
If you are interested in learning more about either version of Sage Timeslips, I am a certified consultant and would be happy to speak with you. I can be reached at 203-254-7736 or caren@timeandcents.com