Frequently Asked Questions - Sage Accounting and Business ...



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Certification Program Details

Research shows that there is a strong and direct correlation between customer satisfaction and partner product knowledge. To support the goal of enhancing customer satisfaction, Best Software instituted authorization requirements to equip all MAS 90, MAS 200 and MAS 500 partners with the knowledge and skill set needed to properly install, implement and support MAS 90, MAS 200, and MAS 500 on an ongoing basis. Even as technology continues to evolve, customer service remains a constant and critical factor in the pursuit of sustained business growth.

In this program, Best Software proactively monitors all new and existing channel partners to ensure that the requirements and standards for certification and performance are met. This program has proven to be highly beneficial to Best Software as well as to channel partners and our mutual customers.

The charts below provide the certification requirement details for MAS 90, MAS 200,

MAS 500 Basic, and MAS 500 Manufacturing authorized partners, as well as for partners who are dual or tri-authorized for Best Software products.

|MAS 90 Certification Requirements |MAS 200 Certification Requirements |

|1. Core Applications |Core Applications |

|2. MAS 90 Installation |MAS 90 and MAS 200 Installation |

|3. Distribution | Distribution |

|4. Implementation Boot Camp** |Implementation Boot Camp** |

| |5. Data File Structures |

| |6. Technical Support (Optional) |

|MAS 500 Basic Certification Requirements |MAS 500 Manufacturing Certification Requirements |

|1. Introduction to MAS 500 | Introduction to MAS 500 |

|2. Technical Overview * | Technical Overview *1 |

| |3. MAS 500 Manufacturing |

*Prerequisites apply; please visit the following link to view the training schedule by product line for detailed information: . **Test-out options are available for all classes except for the Implementation Boot Camp. Additional requirements may be added over time and as technology changes. The Re-certification Assessment Study Outline is available on the Partner File Center under the Authorization & Certification category.

1 *Web Architecture is now offered as a separate class with a separate assessment and is optional for those partners who wish to sell and support Web-based products.

Note: The participation of Best Software’s Professional Services Group in a shadowing role is required for the first two sales of MAS 500, and in each sale, until certification is achieved. The shadowing experience is a critical part of the overall training and certification of successful partners. Existing partners who are certified and who have successfully implemented a system have met this requirement. Until this requirement is met, product orders must be submitted with an executed engagement agreement from the Professional Services Group.

Note: The requirements to sell MAS 200 for SQL Server, e-Business Manager and Data Migrator have not changed and will continue to remain in place for authorization and certification purposes.

How to Complete Certification

Channel partners have three choices on how to complete the certification requirements:

1. Attend the training class and complete the assessment test with a passing score of 80 percent or above.

2. Purchase the course curriculum, study the material on your own and complete the assessment test with a passing score of 80 percent or above.

3. Pass the assessment test with a score of 80 percent or above without attending the class or purchasing the course curriculum.

To receive the appropriate instruction on ordering, completing and submitting assessment tests following training conducted by Best Software, an Authorized Training Center, or a Certified Trainer, please visit . Test-out options are available for all classes except the Implementation Boot Camp. If you plan to complete one or more of the required steps by testing out, with or without curriculum, simply complete an assessment order form that can be found at .

New Partner Certification Timeframe

New channel partners have four months to complete their MAS 90 certification requirements and six months to complete their MAS 200 or MAS 500 certification requirements. Please note that to be eligible to receive support services from Best Software, partners need to have completed their certification requirements.

Enforcement of Certification Program Requirements

In an effort to ensure that all certifications remain up to date, all PartnerCare Plan renewals require documented verification of the designated certifications that have been completed by at least one of your current employees, as well as a passing score on the annual product assessment test.

• Existing partners are required to update or complete their certification requirements by their upcoming PartnerCare Plan renewal date

• Annual re-certification requires that partners must also pass the annual assessment test or take any required class based on the current year’s re-certification requirements. This needs to be completed by their upcoming PartnerCare Plan renewal date.

For partners who fail to meet the certification and/or re-certification requirements at the time of their PartnerCare Plan renewal or within the established time-frame, noted above, a grace period of 90 days will be extended at which time the following restrictions will be imposed:

• Tier participation will be reduced to the Associate level (MAS 90 and MAS 200) or to the Manager level (MAS 500)

• Product margins will be decreased to 20 percent

• All MAS 500 implementations must be referred to the Professional Services Group

Authorization will be maintained with Best Software during this time, but will continue to remain in place only if certification is completed within the 90-day period. If, during the 90-day grace period, the partner satisfies the requirements, that partner will move back up to the previous tier.

If a partner fails to meet the certification requirements for MAS 90 and MAS 200 or MAS 500, at the end of the 90-day grace period, that partner will lose ability to sell products and services and their customers will be reassigned to another partner who meets the certification requirements.

NOTE: If a partner has met all of the MAS 90 core certification requirements but not the

MAS 200 requirements, they cannot sell, implement, or receive support or updates on

MAS 200, but they retain the MAS 90 core certification. Also note that if a partner has met all of the MAS 500 basic certification requirements but not the MAS 500 Manufacturing requirements, they cannot sell, implement, or receive support or updates on MAS 500 Manufacturing, but they retain the MAS 500 basic certification. Existing Associate/Consultant (MAS 90 and MAS 200) and Manager/Alliance (MAS 500) channel partners will be subject to the same certification requirements and timeframes.

Annual Re-Certification Process

All certification requirements documented above must be met by at least one of your current employees. This does not mean that one employee must hold certification for all of the requirements, but rather that one or more of your current employees may collectively hold the required certifications. Please keep in mind, certifications are held by employees, not companies. Should an employee who is certified for one of the requirements leave your company, that certification would leave with the employee. Therefore, another employee would be required to attain certification.

In an effort to ensure that all certifications remain current, all PartnerCare renewals require proof of certification. Best Software will provide all partners with annual re-certification forms to be completed and submitted prior to their PartnerCare renewal date.

Annual Re-Certification Requirements

The following requirements must be met on an annual basis:

1. Fill out and fax back the attached MAS 90 and MAS 200 or MAS 500 re-certification form that lists your certified employees and verifies their current employment by your company.

2. Pass the annual product assessment test with a score of 80 percent or above, and/or take any required class, based on the current year’s re-certification requirements. You can find a listing of the annual re-certification requirements and the Re-certification Assessment Study Outline under the Authorizations/Certifications section of the Partner File Center.

All partners are required to take and pass an annual assessment prior to renewing their PartnerCare plan. To prepare for the annual assessment you can customize a path to reach your objective by attending hands-on classes, taking Web-based classes, using self-study curriculum, participating at annual Partner Conferences, or Boot Camps, etc. You have the flexibility to decide which tools will best suit your needs!

The annual exams are comprehensive of the MAS 90 and MAS 200 or MAS 500 product lines, including new versions and updates, as well as associated technologies. It is our ultimate goal and commitment to provide you with the skill set and education necessary to continue to satisfy the expectations of our mutual customers and for you to be successful in today’s challenging market.

The re-certification assessment test for MAS 90 and MAS 200 or MAS 500 can be ordered online at . The tests are continually updated to represent new versions of MAS 90 and MAS 200 or MAS 500 as they become available.

Partner Alliance Programs

At Best Software, we recognize the profitable relationships that can develop between our business partners and the thousands of accounting firms in the U.S. The Best Software Accountant Network (BSAN) unifies Best Software's accountants programs and combines our most popular business management and accounting software solutions together to offer accountants one easy, flexible "recommenders" program. BSAN members gain access to information, software and support to enable them to better manage their practice and serve their clients – and when paired with qualified Best Software business partners, this program offers outstanding value in developing strategic alliance networking opportunities.

That’s why we also offer the Best Business Partner Alliance (BPA) program to provide you with support and assistance in developing local public accounting alliance relationships with BSAN members. The BPA program provides a formal method for both receiving and “registering” alliances from and with Best Software. In addition, it is designed to provide you with suggestions, tips and tools for nurturing those key alliance relationships, once begun.

To learn more about the BSAN and BPA programs, please contact info@ or call us toll free at 866-565-BSAN (2726).

Consultant Alliance Programs

However, it may be that the reseller requirements and associated costs of earning certification do not fit within your business model - which may focus more on recommending software than reselling it. And, it may be appropriate for you to consider one of our alternative membership programs - The Best Software Consultant Alliance Program or the Best Software Authorized Consultant Program. To learn more about the many advantages of becoming a Best Software Authorized Consultant Program member, please visit or contact us toll free at 877-879-0456.

Whether it’s becoming certified or taking advantage of our consultant programs, we hope you will find the right direction and value for your business, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership with your organization.

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Why do I need to be certified?

Our new certification program is designed to ensure business partner knowledge and enhance client satisfaction. As technology continues to evolve, customer service will remain a constant and critical factor in the pursuit of sustained business growth. Best Software’s research shows that there is a direct correlation between customer satisfaction and partner product knowledge. Therefore we implemented the Best Software Channel Certification Program to equip all partners with the knowledge and skill set needed to properly install, implement and support MAS 90 • MAS 200 • MAS 500 on an ongoing basis.

What if I choose not to get certified by Best Software?

We realize that the new certification requirements and associated costs may not fit within the business model of every Best Software partner ( some may be more involved in recommending than reselling our products. Please be assured that either way, we sincerely want to retain a close association with every Best Software business partner. If for any reason you chose not to become certified, please see the options below.

If you are a CPA firm engaged in the full-time practice of public accounting, you may want to consider our Best Software Accountants Alliance Network (BSAN) program. This program was put in place specifically to add value to CPAs who wish to use and recommend MAS 90,

MAS 200, as well as other Best Software products. For answers to questions prior to enrolling, please visit our Web site at: .

If you are a Business Consultant in a position to recommend accounting and business management software to your customers, we offer a unique consultant program that equips you with the knowledge you need to assist your customers with their software selection needs –the Best Consultant Alliance Program. By joining this worthwhile program, you will gain the support and resources you need to recommend one or more of the industry’s leading software systems – MAS 90, MAS 500, or Platinum for Windows by Best. For more information on this program please visit our Web site at: .

If you are a traditional reseller (non-CPA firm) and do not wish to achieve certification, you may transition your current reseller authorization to become a licensed customer or user of our products and take advantage of our special reference trade-in offer (RLTO) to continue to use your software and stay current with future upgrades and maintenance releases. If you are interested in this option, please contact your account manager or a Best Software sales advisor at (800) 854-3415 for more information.

When do I need to be certified?

Any partner who joined the MAS 90 and MAS 200 or the MAS 500 reseller programs they will have four to six months to complete the certification requirements for this product.

Existing partners are required to complete their certification requirements by their upcoming PartnerCare Plan renewal date.

Upon completion of your certification requirements, you will be required to submit an annual re-certification form when you renew your PartnerCare Plan agreement. The purpose of the re-certification form is to document your continued compliance with the certification requirements on an annual basis. The re-certification process will go into effect one year from the date of your agreement. For example, if your upcoming PartnerCare Plan agreement expires on June 30, 2003 you will renewal your plan prior to that time by taking the annual Assessment test and submitting the re-certification form.

Am I required to take and pass the assessment if I've already attended the required class?

Yes. To receive the appropriate instruction on ordering, completing and submitting assessment tests following training conducted by Best Software, an Authorized Training Center, or a Certified Trainer, please visit .

How do I request an assessment after I have completed a course or if I plan to test out?

If you have taken the training conducted by Best Software, an Authorized Training Center or a Certified Trainer, please fax your Certificate of Completion to the Education Department: 949-753-0733. Indicate on a cover sheet your need to now take the assessment as well as your current e-mail address. Test-out options are available for all classes except the Implementation Boot Camp. If you plan to complete one or more of the required steps by testing out, with or without curriculum, simply complete an assessment order form that can be found at .

NOTE: Assessments are sent only upon request. To purchase additional assessments, please complete and fax back the assessment order form that can be found on our Web site at:

What does Best Software consider a passing score?

80 percent or higher is considered a passing score on an assessment.

What happens if I do not pass the assessment?

You have three options:

• Retake the assessment once at no-charge.

• Purchase the curriculum for the difference from the assessment fee and the bundled curriculum with assessment fee and then retake the assessment.

• Attend the class at the standard course fee and then retake the assessment.

What happens if I do not pass the assessment after the third time?

You will need to attend the associated training class at the standard course fee or have someone else within your company take the test at the standard assessment fee.

What about the assessment process? What can I expect?

MAS 90, MAS 200, and MAS 500

When you place an order for an assessment, you will be sent information on how to login to QuestionMark, our online assessment tool. It is important that you keep the initial login and password information on-hand for future reference, as this information will be the same for future assessments. QuestionMark will immediately grade your test and give you the results. You will also have the ability to review your history of assessments within this system.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Assessments must be taken within 60 days from the ORIGINAL date sent or they will EXPIRE. Replacement assessment(s) must be re-purchased at the standard price; specific instructions will accompany each assessment.

Are the assessment tests accredited through NASBA and will I receive CPE credit?

At the present time, assessments are not accredited through NASBA.

Are the classes accredited through NASBA and will I receive CPE credit?

All Best Software Authorized Training Centers are registered or are in the process of registering with the NASBA as a sponsor of CPE. Contact your training facility to confirm CPE sponsorship status.

How can I verify the courses I have completed if I do not have proof of completion?

You should contact the Best Software Authorized Training facility that you attended and request a certificate of completion.

What documents will be accepted as proof of completion?

The certification of completion document issued by Best Software corporate training or an Authorized Training Center will be acceptable as proof of completion. Or, for the assessments, the e-mail received from Best Software Education indicating a passing score is acceptable proof of completion.

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At the time of your PartnerCare Plan renewal, please fill out the form below and list the current certification records for your company. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether each of the employees is currently employed full time by your company. As of April 1, 2003 the

Re-certification Assessment is a requirement for channel partner renewal.

Fax the completed document to Mid-Market Channel Sales at 800-213-7383.

I certify that as of the date below, the information contained on this form is correct:

Company Name Account Number

Name Title

Signature Date

|MAS 90 • MAS 200 |List the Employee(s) |Currently Employed |

|Certification Requirements |Who Meets the Requirement |Yes No |

| | | |

|Core Applications | | |

|MAS 90 • MAS 200 | | |

| | | |

|MAS 90 Installation | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Implementation Boot Camp | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Distribution Class | | |

| | | |

|MAS 200: | | |

|Data File Structures | | |

| | | |

|MAS 200: | | |

|Technical Support (Optional) | | |

| | | |

|Annual Re-certification | | |

|Assessment | | |

If any of the above requirements are not met by an employee who is currently on your staff, do you plan to meet this requirement prior to your PartnerCare Plan renewal date? Yes No

Form continued …

|MAS 500 |List the Employee(s) |Currently Employed |

|Certification Requirements |Who Meets the Requirement |Yes No |

| | | |

|MAS 500 Basic: | | |

|Introduction to MAS 500 | | |

| | | |

|MAS 500 Basic: | | |

|Technical Overview | | |

|- MAS 500 Installation Class | | |

| | | |

|*MAS 500 Manufacturing | | |

| | | |

| | | |

|Annual Re-certification | | |

|Assessment | | |

*This requirement is for MAS 500 Manufacturing partners only.

If any of the above requirements are not met by an employee who is currently on your staff, do you plan to meet this requirement prior to your PartnerCare Plan renewal date? Yes No

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MAS 90 • MAS 200 • MAS 500

Certification and Re-certification

Program Overview and Frequently Asked Questions

MAS 90 • MAS 200 • MAS 500

Re-certification Fax-Back Form

MAS 90 • MAS 200 • MAS 500

Certification and Re-certification

Frequently Asked Questions

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