If you manage a Sage 100 system, you have likely encountered conflicting information about the platform’s future. Some sources claim the software is approaching end of life, while others suggest businesses can continue using it indefinitely. The reality sits somewhere between these extremes — and understanding your actual options matters more than ever as you plan for 2026.
Sage continues to support recent releases of Sage 100, with versions 2023, 2024 and 2025 still being maintained while a future launch for v2026 is planned as of this writing, which will only be available for installation on 64-bit Windows systems. As each new release arrives, the oldest supported version drops from the support window. This rolling support model means that this Sage ERP is not disappearing, but businesses still need to make strategic decisions about their future.
In a recent webinar addressing exactly these questions, ERP experts Sean Windle from ERP Advisors Group and John Shepperson from SWK Technologies tackled the central question: when does change make sense for Sage 100 users, and when does it not? This blog covers the key points of this discussion, and dives deeper into the two most viable options for legacy ERP users – migrate to a SaaS system, or host your current solution in the cloud:
Why Sage 100 Users Cannot Simply Maintain the Status Quo
Before evaluating your options, consider what happens if you delay modernization decisions. Businesses running Sage 100 increasingly face challenges that extend beyond software support:
- Integration limitations become more apparent as business systems evolve. Sage 100 was architected in the mid-1980s, decades before cloud applications and modern e-commerce platforms existed. Connecting legacy systems to current technology often requires workarounds that create maintenance burdens.
- Talent acquisition grows more difficult each year. New accounting and IT professionals entering the workforce have limited exposure to client-server applications. When hiring, businesses must weigh whether candidates will find the technology environment attractive or limiting.
- Distributed operations present access challenges. Companies operating from multiple locations or supporting remote workers need additional infrastructure layers to provide secure Sage 100 access beyond a single office environment.
- Compliance requirements continue to advance. Industries with regulatory obligations around data security, patient information, or financial reporting need systems that receive active security updates and meet current compliance standards.
These factors do not mean Sage 100 has become obsolete. Many businesses continue to run the software successfully. However, understanding these constraints helps frame the decision between modernization paths.
For most users, 2026 presents two viable paths: migrating to a hosted environment or transitioning to Sage Intacct. Each option addresses different business needs and comes with distinct cost structures, implementation requirements, and long-term implications.
Migration Option 1: Cloud Hosting Sage 100
Hosting Sage 100 represents a middle-ground approach that preserves your current system while eliminating on-premise infrastructure management.
How Cloud Hosting Works
In a hosted environment, your Sage 100 system runs on virtual servers managed by a cloud service provider (CSP). The CSP creates a dedicated environment, essentially “your own little universe,” where your data and applications remain separate from other customers. Users access the software through secure remote connections via VPN and remote desktop protocols.
The hosting provider handles Windows updates, server maintenance, and infrastructure monitoring. Importantly, hosting does not change Sage 100 itself. Your customizations, data structures, and business processes remain identical. Upgrades still follow the same process as on-premise deployments. The software simply runs in a managed data center instead of your server room.
Primary Benefits
Businesses choose hosted Sage 100 for several reasons:
- Elimination of on-premise hardware removes the burden of maintaining physical servers, managing environmental requirements like cooling and power, and replacing aging equipment.
- Professional backup and business continuity services provide real-time data protection and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Simplified upgrade and patch management allows critical maintenance to occur in the background without requiring major implementation projects.
- Consolidated support from a provider who manages both your infrastructure and understands your software eliminates the finger-pointing between hardware and application support teams.
- Scalability improves without capital expenditure. Adding users or processing capacity requires configuration changes rather than hardware purchases.
- Remote access becomes standardized. Distributed teams and remote workers receive consistent access without complex VPN configurations or security concerns about exposing on-premise systems.
Cost Considerations
Hosted Sage 100 operates on a monthly fee structure. Costs typically cover server resources, software maintenance, backup services, and support. While this creates a recurring expense that replaces one-time hardware purchases, your business will eliminate server refresh cycles and reduce IT staffing requirements focused on infrastructure management.
Budget planning should account for the monthly rate based on the number of users, plus any add-on modules or third-party integrations that need to be hosted. Most hosting providers offer transparent pricing that simplifies cost projections compared to estimating multi-year hardware depreciation and maintenance expenses.
Who Benefits Most
Hosted Sage 100 makes sense for businesses that:
- Have extensive customizations built over many years
- Need time to prepare for process changes that full cloud migration requires
- Operate in industries where Sage 100 functionality specifically addresses their needs
- Want to eliminate infrastructure management without disrupting current workflows
- Plan eventual migration to cloud ERP but need an interim step
Hosting works particularly well as a bridge strategy. Businesses can move to a hosted environment relatively quickly, gain experience with subscription-based software delivery, and evaluate cloud ERP options without time pressure.
Migration Option 2: Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct represents a complete departure from Sage 100’s architecture. As a true cloud application – otherwise known as Software-as-a-Service – it was designed specifically for digital delivery rather than retrofitted from on-premise architecture, like with many migrated SAP or Deltek solutions.
Sage 100 vs Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct runs in a multi-tenant environment where multiple clients share server infrastructure while maintaining complete data separation. This architecture delivers several improvements over traditional on-premise, client-server setups:
- Automatic updates deploy new features and security patches without scheduled maintenance windows or upgrade projects. Businesses always run the current version.
- Unlimited scalability allows businesses to add users, transactions, or functionality without infrastructure planning. The system expands transparently to meet demand.
- Native integrations connect to modern applications through APIs designed for cloud-to-cloud communication. E-commerce platforms, payment processors, and business intelligence tools integrate more readily than with legacy systems.
- Dimensional accounting provides analytical flexibility that traditional general ledger structures cannot support. Businesses track financial data across multiple dimensions simultaneously without creating complex account structures.
Sage 100 Migration Considerations
Moving from Sage 100 to Sage Intacct involves more than technical data migration. Businesses should expect process evaluation and redesign:
- Customizations rarely transfer directly, but most prove unnecessary in the new environment. Modern ERP systems include functionality that businesses previously built as customizations. The migration process provides an opportunity to evaluate whether custom code still serves business needs or simply perpetuates outdated processes.
- Chart of accounts structures often require redesign to leverage dimensional accounting capabilities. While this represents work during implementation, the result typically provides better analytical capability with simpler account structures.
- User training becomes essential. Even experienced accounting professionals need time to adapt to cloud ERP interfaces and workflows. Implementation timelines should include adequate training periods.
- Integration mapping requires attention. Businesses need to identify all current integrations and determine how they will connect to the new system.
Cost Structure
Sage Intacct operates on an annual subscription model. Pricing typically reflects the number of users, selected modules, and transaction volume. Businesses should budget for:
- Annual software subscription
- Implementation services
- Data migration and testing
- User training
- Ongoing support
Unlike hosted Sage 100, Sage Intacct represents a complete system replacement. Implementation costs exceed those of hosting, but the platform delivers capabilities that justify the investment for businesses ready to modernize processes.
Who Benefits Most
Sage Intacct serves businesses that:
- Need modern integrations with e-commerce, CRM, or other cloud applications
- Want to eliminate IT infrastructure management completely
- Require sophisticated financial reporting and analytics
- Plan to scale operations significantly
- Operate across multiple locations or entities
- Have outgrown Sage 100’s architectural limitations
Businesses considering Sage Intacct should have appetite for process evaluation and willingness to adapt workflows to modern best practices rather than replicating legacy processes.
Making Your 2026 Decision
Both hosted Sage 100 and Sage Intacct address current business needs, but they serve different strategic objectives. Consider these questions:
- Timeline: Do you need to solve infrastructure problems immediately, or can you invest time in a more comprehensive modernization project?
- Budget: Can you absorb both implementation costs and higher recurring subscription fees, or do you need a more modest investment that delivers immediate infrastructure benefits?
- Customizations: Have you built extensive custom functionality that would require significant redevelopment, or can you evaluate whether modern ERP capabilities eliminate the need for past customizations?
- Process appetite: Does your team have capacity to evaluate and redesign business processes, or do you need to preserve current workflows while solving technical challenges?
- Growth plans: Will your business scale significantly in the next three to five years, requiring capabilities that extend beyond current ERP functionality?
These questions have no universal correct answers. The right path depends on your business’ specific situation, resources, and strategic objectives.
Let SWK Technologies Help You Chart Your ERP Future
ERP decisions involve technical, financial, and operational considerations that extend beyond software selection. Whether you determine that hosted Sage 100 addresses your immediate needs or that Sage Intacct migration aligns with growth plans, making an informed decision requires understanding the complete picture of costs, benefits, and implementation requirements.
Contact SWK here to schedule a strategic consultation and develop a modernization roadmap that fits your business needs and timeline.