Those of our audience who have been in and around the Sage 300 community for decades will have become used to speculation and assumptions about its approaching demise. The cliff it’s about to tumble over is just around the next bend, just over the horizon.
Doug Ash, TPAC Conference Organizer, has had a front-row seat to this unfolding story since launching TPAC in 2003. That vantage point has enabled him to regularly check the pulse of Sage 300 through the quantity and quality of exhibitor and delegate registrations. He’s also been able to read the mood of the room as attendees, all with a vested interest in the health of Sage 300, have oscillated between pessimism and optimism.
Doug recently sent out an email titled “The Renaissance of Sage 300” suggesting the event horizon of Sage 300’s oblivion is not just standing off at a safe distance, but actually receding. His introduction:
A few years ago, I thought TPAC was pretty much finished, winding down, as Sage 300 was in serious decline. Then some amazing events took place.
The events he speaks of don’t relate to the latest rumours and speculation discussed amongst peers. They reference explicit statements from Sage executives, delivered on the record at TPAC, often within keynote speeches. Specifically:
TPAC North America 2023 (Toronto):
-
Mark Hickman (then Director of Sage Canada) gave a keynote with STRONG support for Sage 300.
TPAC North America 2024 (Vancouver):
- Mark Hickman (now Director of Sage North America) gave a keynote with even STRONGER support for Sage 300!
TPAC Asia 2024 (Penang, Malaysia):
- Rob Sinfield (Executive VP at Sage, Executive Product Leader, Evangelist, and product strategist) gave a keynote with SUPER STRONG support for Sage 300!
- (He also mentioned how Sage 300 became more “sticky” when 3rd party products were added.)
TPAC Southern Africa 2025 (Johannesburg):
- Susan Sambo, Director of Marketing at Sage, listed “Support for TPAC” as part of their Strategic initiatives.
Doug also heard hugely encouraging quotes like this in Johannesburg:
- “The sun never sets on the Sage 300 Empire”
- “Sage 300 is critical to Sage” (Richard Jang, Sage)
- “Partners are the life blood of Sage 300” (John Thomas, Principal Software Architect, Sage 300)
Other votes of confidence came from customers making large Sage 300 purchases, with examples including sites with over 100 users and multiple 3rd Party products.
Doug’s closing prognosis:
Sage 300 is, in fact, in ascension (rising) and is, once again, a strategic part of Sage’s go-forward strategy.
That’s good news for the entire Sage 300 Channel – both the ISVs and the Business Partners - and, of course, TPAC!
Both Doug and the Orchid team would love you to come to TPAC, meet us, and hear messages like these for yourself!
You can find out more about TPAC, and what Orchid is doing at (as well as before and after) the next TPAC North America, being held in Toronto April 6-8 2025, on our Orchid @ TPAC 2025 event page.
About TPAC
TPAC (Third-Party Advantage Conference) has a rich history in North America and, more recently, Southern Africa and Asia. Unlike other conferences, the focus is exclusively on 3rd Party (Independent Software Vendor) products that integrate with and add value to Sage products. For TPAC North America, the featured Sage products are Sage 300 and Sage CRM.
TPAC offers Sage partners a unique opportunity to connect with industry experts, network with peers, and engage with both leading ISVs and the Sage global and regional leadership teams. Expect insightful keynotes, discussions, and breakout sessions.
