Last updated: March 7th, 2024

How to Upgrade Sage 50 Single-User License to a Multi-User License

Sage 50 is a popular accounting software that allows businesses to manage their finances effectively. As a business grows, the workload and manpower increase, and it becomes necessary to have multiple users working on the same data simultaneously. This is where upgrading from a single-user license to a multi-user license in Sage 50 comes in handy.

What is Sage 50 Multi-User Mode?

Sage 50 multi-user mode allows multiple users to work on the same business data simultaneously. With a multi-user license, you can install Sage 50 on your network and run your firm in multi-user mode, enabling multiple users to access and manage your business data at the same time.

The number of users that can connect and manage your business data simultaneously depends on the number of licenses you purchase and the Sage 50 product you are using. Single-user products need to be upgraded to take advantage of the multi-user mode.

For example, if two users try to open the same file, Sage 50 can easily handle any multi-user access conflicts and save the records properly.

Factors to Consider When Upgrading to a Multi-User License

When upgrading from a single-user license to a multi-user license in Sage 50, there are several factors to consider:

• You must use the same Sage 50 program year when switching from single-user mode to multi-user mode. For instance, if you have Sage 50 2015 single-user mode installed, you must first upgrade it to Sage 50 2015 multi-user mode.
• You can easily use new users and licenses after upgrading.
• You can add extra licenses to your Sage 50 if required.
• If the server doesn't recognize your workstation, the software will not respond.

Steps to Upgrade Sage 50 Single-User License to a Multi-User License

If you have the US version of Sage 50 installed on your system, you don't need to uninstall it. You just need to upgrade the serial number to the newest version. Here are the steps to upgrade:

1. Make sure that everyone has logged off from Sage 50.
2. Open Sage 50 Accounting software on your server.
3. Select Help and then click on Activate Sage 50.
4. Check the subscription and license details.
5. Select the current version of Sage 50. You will receive a new serial number.
6. Enter the new serial number in the respective field and click OK.
7. Sage 50 will automatically close, and the upgrade process will start. Wait until the process finishes completely. Once it is completed, Sage 50 will automatically open.
8. Your Sage 50 has now been successfully upgraded.
9. Once the upgrade is installed on the server, upgrade all the workstations one by one (follow steps 3-7 for each workstation separately).
10. To install the multi-user mode on all the workstations, enter the multi-user serial number on each workstation during installation.

Note: Once the installation is completed, check which version has been installed on your system, as the download link includes various versions.

Working in Sage 50 Multi-User Mode

When working in Sage 50 multi-user mode, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• If multiple users are working on similar tasks simultaneously, transaction messaging might slow down. You can reduce this by setting it to automatically use the next open transaction number.
• You can lessen messaging on a per-user basis by turning off notifications when transaction numbers change.
• Some options and menus are unavailable in multi-user mode, even if you log in as a system admin.
• To perform certain tasks that are not available in multi-user mode, you must switch back to single-user mode. This protects your data by restricting other users from using the data while it is being updated.
• If you start Sage 50 in single-user mode at any time, other users will be locked out from the data.

IMPORTANT:

• If another user changes your company data while you are entering a transaction, this change may not be shown in your transaction.
• If you know that other users are changing the data, you should refresh your data before processing a transaction. If you forget to refresh, you will get a message informing you that the transaction needs to be re-entered using the updated data.
• The same user cannot be logged in to your company from more than one location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I add users to my Sage 50?

To add users to Sage 50:

1. Click the Add User button in the upper left to open the Add User screen.
2. Enter the user's name, email address, and access level.
3. Click Save.

Why do we need to upgrade to a multi-user license?

As your business grows, the workload and database also increase. To handle the increased work, you need to switch to a multi-user license so that multiple users can manage the work simultaneously.

How to change access rights in my Sage 50?

To change access rights in Sage 50:

1. Log into Sage 50 Accounts as a manager.
2. Click Settings, then click User Management, and click Users.
3. Select the user whose access rights you want to change, then click Edit.
4. Choose the type of user and change the password.
5. Select the areas in the software you want the user to have access to.
6. Click Save.

Conclusion

Upgrading from a single-user license to a multi-user license in Sage 50 is a straightforward process that can greatly benefit growing businesses. By allowing multiple users to work on the same data simultaneously, you can increase productivity and efficiency. Just remember to consider the factors involved in upgrading and follow the steps carefully to ensure a smooth transition.