Sage has two products called Sage 300; however, they couldn’t serve more diverse industries. We have written about the status of Sage 300/Accpac support in other articles. But in this article, we tackle Sage 300 CRE (Construction and Real Estate), formerly known as Timberline. Sage 300 CRE has provided deep industry-specific functionality, from service operations and property management to change order management, job cost tracking, and payroll for contractors, construction and services firms, developers, property managers, and others for over 50 years.
Unfortunately, there have been rumors regarding Sage 300 CRE’s potential future (or lack thereof). Out of a need for clarity, ERP Advisors Group has done the research to determine how much Sage 300 CRE customers will be affected by end of support deadlines.
A Brief History of Sage 300 CRE
Formerly known as Timberline Software, Sage 300 CRE was developed in 1971 as a set of robust accounting and project management solutions. Construction and real estate companies with complex needs flocked to the Timberline product for its reliability and comprehensive features. Businesses could optimize operations, develop more efficient processes for project management, and harness even greater financial control by accessing time entry, payroll, job cost, projects and financials all in one application. For decades, construction and real estate companies relied on Timberline to run their businesses.
By 2003, Timberline Software had garnered so much attention, they were acquired by Sage. This was a major turning point in the lifecycle of Timberline as the product was redeveloped to integrate with Sage’s existing suite of business applications. Ultimately, Sage realized the value of the product and rebranded the solution to better fit within Sage’s unification strategy. Timberline was continuously enhanced, building on its core functionalities while also redeveloping the product to work in the Sage ecosystem. Under Sage’s direction, Timberline grew in popularity and broke into new markets.
What Can You Expect of Sage 300 CRE’s End of Support Cycle?
As of December 2024, the most current Sage 300 CRE version is “Version 24”. At this time, the following versions are still actively supported by Sage:
- Sage 300 CRE Version 22
- Sage 300 CRE Version 23
- Sage 300 CRE Version 24
Typically, Sage actively supports between two to three versions of a product at any given time, but the cycle is up to Sage’s discretion. Customers can expect support to end for the oldest version of the product every time a new version is released. While unsupported versions of Sage 300 CRE are still hosted by Sage and are not at “end-of-life”, they will not receive vital hotfixes and regulatory updates. An unsupported product leaves your business and data open to unnecessary security risks, as well as potentially system failure. With this in mind, Sage highly recommends taking the necessary steps to upgrade to a supported version.
Sage has guaranteed a direct upgrade path from Versions 20, 22, and 23 to Version 24. Unfortunately, if you are on Sage 300 CRE Version 18 or earlier, you will need to upgrade to Version 20 before upgrading to Version 24. This means double the effort to implement two versions, one after the next. Sage has also advised, “If you are on a version that is earlier than 18, contact your Business Partner for assistance” (Sage Release Notes).
Many Sage 300 CRE customers also utilize a number of integrated products either within the Sage ecosystem or which were built by Sage partners. When you upgrade to Version 24, the system is set up to “automatically access the licenses for the various applications for which your company is entitled.” However, you must have a plan in place to test those integrations and manage licenses in your License Administrator tool (Sage Release Notes). By considering these factors, you can make an educated decision for upgrading to Version 24 or migrating to another product. At this time, Sage has not publicly indicated any intention to bring Sage 300 CRE to end-of-life, so customers have time to plan and coordinate with their Sage representatives.
Why Does Sage 300 CRE End of Support Matter?
Sage 300 CRE’s large userbase has long relied on the solution to meet their industry-specific requirements. When you are accustomed to having each of your unique needs met, it can be difficult to make a case for changing software. As a Sage 300 CRE user, you are not alone. Many legacy customers are facing looming end-of-life and end-of-support deadlines. But never fear, you have options when facing the end of your legacy application’s lifespan.
First and foremost, you must identify what is right for you and your business. We never recommend undergoing an ERP migration unless it is absolutely necessary. To determine your need for a new ERP, you should conduct a thorough needs analysis and outline your requirements now and in the next few years. If your system cannot meet those needs, then it might be time to move on. From there, you can a develop a clear business case for new ERP where the benefits outweigh the costs.
If you determine your version of Sage 300 CRE is no longer meeting your needs, you have a few options to consider. The most immediate solution for products like Sage 300 CRE with active support options is simply to upgrade to the latest version. As mentioned above, there is a supported upgrade path for customers on Sage 300 CRE versions after 20 to upgrade directly to Version 24, but any version prior to Version 20 does not support a direct upgrade. Customers on earlier versions will need to upgrade to Version 20 prior to upgrading to Version 24. However, this is a very straight forward way of paving the path. Any customizations will likely need to be rebuilt or could be lost during the upgrade process. Regardless of your decision, you must consider those consequences.
When faced with end-of-support for Sage 300 CRE, we highly recommend considering your options outside of the direct upgrade path. You are in a unique position where you can determine if there is a better solution on the market for your future needs and potential growth. There are several robust solutions available in the Construction and Real Estate space, so it is important to undergo a thorough software selection to properly evaluate the solutions, create a shortlist, and select the right solution for you.
And never forget, ERP Advisors Group is here to help! We want to ensure you are happy with your ERP for many years to come. Schedule a free consultation and begin your ERP journey today!
