Running Abra Suite, your HR/Payroll workhorse, on an unsupported database is risky. Microsoft’s Visual FoxPro, the underlying database for Sage Abra Suite, is just that—unsupported. Microsoft announced end of life for FoxPro in 2007 and ended extended support in 2015. So, why not move on to something faster, more secure, and supported?

Change

Change can be intimidating. So much so that we put off doing what we know eventually’s gotta get done. I know. I’m in the midst of car shopping to replace my 15-year-old Civic. (I fall into the camp of buying new and driving till it dies!) The car’s still running, taking me to work, stores, and even visits to grown children living far away. As comfortable as driving my car’s become, I take a deep breath when starting out on a long trip. Despite staying current with maintenance, at 230,000 miles, something could go, and I’d be stuck. It’s better to make the change before I find myself stranded in the mountains.

A bit of history

The same’s true of Abra Suite. It may be running now, but eventually, something will happen and it’ll break. Let’s look at the history.

Microsoft

Sage Abra Suite was developed in the 1980s using Microsoft’s Visual FoxPro database. At that time, a flat file database was the best platform available for this type of application. Of course, a lot’s changed since the 80s, especially database technology. As mentioned above, Microsoft stopped supporting FoxPro in 2015.

They introduced their first version of SQL, a transactional database with enhanced security and performance, in 1989 and have been perfecting it ever since. According to research conducted by the Austrian consulting company, solid IT, Microsoft’s SQL Server’s popularity grew faster than any other database product the company tracked on its DB-Engines site during 2016.

Sage

Sage also made changes. In 2005 they introduced a new HR module based on Microsoft’s SQL Server, Sage HRMS, the replacement for Abra Suite. In 2007, they added Sage HRMS Payroll, and by 2012, all the functional gaps between Abra Suite and Sage HRMS had been eliminated. As of 2014, Sage stopped selling Abra Suite entirely.

Making the move 

Knowing you need to move off Abra Suite and actually doing it are two different things. The prospect of making the change may be overwhelming and keep you from taking action. Not to worry. Delphia Consulting has developed a tool and methodology that streamlines the process—Automated SQL Migration for Abra Suite (ASM for short). Endorsed by Sage in 2015, ASM has been helping companies make the move ever since.

Getting from Abra Suite to Sage HRMS has never been easier, and it can usually be accomplished in 90 days or less. Don’t end up “stranded in the mountains” when the old database quits working.

Contact us

Give us a call at 1.888.421.2004 or visit our website and use the REGISTER FOR WEBINAR button to sign up for an hour-long webinar and learn more about the ASM tool and approach.