From spreadsheet to Sage: 3 benefits to simplifying your data entry processes

Software can simplify and streamline your data transfer processes between Microsoft Excel and Sage - but what does that mean for your business?

For most businesses, transferring data from Microsoft Excel to your Sage system means digitally copy-pasting dozens of spreadsheets and lines of data into Sage fields - or worse: manually keying rafts of numbers from printed sheets into your Sage system. In some cases, that might mean entering the same data twice: once into Excel and then into Sage.

Problems caused by duplicated data entry - such as inaccurate data and lost time - aren't inevitable, as software can take on the challenge and provide a range of benefits to your business.

1) Maximise your investment in your employees and your Sage system 

Rekeying can take hours of your employees’ time, as they can conceivably spend dozens of hours a month entering data into Sage, data that's already in an electronic format in Microsoft Excel. And if they're not rekeying, they're potentially copy-pasting hundreds and thousands of lines of information from multiple spreadsheets into a single Sage system.

Putting this task to a software solution can free hours of precious human capital that could be invested in general process improvement or bettering your customer-facing experience, simultaneously giving the best return on both your employees’ time and your Sage system.

2) Reduce mistakes to improve process accuracy to save time and money

Purchase orders, sales orders, general ledgers - these can result in rekeying thousands of lines of information into Sage, which can prove to be a repetitive, time-consuming task for employees. As that process continues, it’s easy to see how this can lead to mistakes, which can range from mistyped numbers, misplaced data and missed entries.

But data transfer driven by software eliminates the human element that makes these mistakes. What’s more, this software should automatically validate each transfer, checking data in Sage against data in Excel - a task that previously took hours can now be done instantly and accurately.

3) Retain your existing processes for better business continuity

It's likely your business continues to use Microsoft Excel because it’s a familiar, convenient and well-known solution used by partners, suppliers and sister companies in countries around the world.

Digitising the data transfer process lets you retain those processes without abandoning the benefits provided entering that data into Sage - and without the downsides of rekeying and copy errors. Bringing Excel and Sage seamlessly together avoids disrupting processes and minimises retraining requirements, saving time and money for elsewhere in your business.

Learn more about simplifying your Excel data transfer into Sage

• Read more about Datel's Fusion Excel Connect, an add-on that instantly transfers Excel data into Sage
• Speak to one of our ERP experts about improving your data transfer processes