Learning Sage Software: Which Sage Training Method Is Best For Me?

There are several types of Sage training products which seem to offer similar benefits and you may find yourself thinking which one is best suited for me? This guide is designed to give you an overview of the differences between Sage E-Learning, Sage Training Workbooks, Sage Training CD-ROMS and Sage Training Passports.

Sage E-Learning

* Online based learning course
* Re-use the course within the 12 week licence period
* Learn with simulations of Sage software
* Includes interactive quizzes to test your progress
* Learn at your own pace

The Sage e-Learning courses offer an extremely flexible way of learning. The ability to log on from any computer with internet access means you aren't restricted by having to complete the course entirely on a single computer e.g. at work.

It's always easier to learn by doing and e-Learning gives you the chance to practice what you have learned using on-screen simulations of Sage software. Being online, this simulation is not quite as good as the full versions you get with the Training Workbooks and CD-ROMS but it still makes learning easier.

You are paying for access to the course for 12 weeks so you can revisit any of the topics as many times as you need to within that time period. This is very useful to have as inevitably situations will arise where you can't quite remember what you need to do.

Sage Training Workbooks

* Includes 180-day version of Sage software and practice data
* Learn at your own pace
* Available to buy in separate stages or as a bundle
* Includes Sage accredited certification exams

The self-study training workbooks cover more material than the e-learning course and also includes the chance to gain a recognised certificate to enable you to prove your ability to employers/customers. These online based exams RRP at £50 each normally so there's a chance to make a real saving by buying the Workbooks. The main benefit is the 180 day versions of real Sage software with practice data, this gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience to make the learning experience more involving.

Sage Training CD-ROMs

* Cheapest method of learning Sage
* Includes simulations of Sage software to assist learning
* Re-use one CD-ROM as many times as needed

The main benefits of the Sage Training CD-ROMs are that you can re-use one copy as many times as you need. This may be especially beneficial for small businesses that can buy one copy and share it around the office as required. As with all the training products a form of Sage software is included so you can gain experience as you learn. However, similar to the e-learning, only a simulated version is included.

Sage Training passport

Sage training passports are quite a different product to the individual training products covered above. Although you can use Sage training passports to buy all the self-study training courses (self-study workbooks, e-learning, training and CD-ROMs) the feature the really sets the training passports apart is the access they give your company to classroom training centres. These are Sage training courses created and delivered by experts, giving your staff the best possible training. There are currently 9 training centres situated all around the UK.

Deciding between taking employees out of the office to attend a training centre or using self-study methods can be tricky. On the one hand having a real person to talk to face to face can really benefit some people and make the learning process more enjoyable, on the other it is a more restrictive, formalised method. You also need to consider the extra time and travel costs if using the training centres. There's no best solution so consider what will work best for your business and your employees.

As with several of the other Sage training methods you can share the passports amongst more than one person. This makes the training passports a cost effective method to go for if you are aiming to train multiple employees.

The passports are also very flexible, allowing you to mix and match courses to create a training solution tailored to your company's unique needs.

They are currently available in 3, 5 and 10 days. The prices are structured to give you a discount for the more you buy, for instance 5 days RRP is £990 but 10 day RRP is £1344. However do not feel tempted to pay for more than you need. You only save by buying 10 days if you need 10 days.

It's also important to note that the passports are only valid for a certain length of time from purchase. 10 day passports are valid for 12 months and the 3 and 5 day passports are valid for 6 months.

Coast Business Solutions are a software implementation consultancy based in Plymouth, UK. Their experienced consultants can take your business through the whole process from selecting a software solution to training your team to make the most out of new software thus ensuring a smooth transition. They can supply a wide range of business software including Sage Instant Accounts and Sage ACT!.
Visit https://www.coastsolutions.co.uk/ for more information.

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