Question:

Answer: Referred to as BOI or Business Objects Interface, which is used by many third party developers to access the Sage database and develop applications. A brief discussion is provided below, and more detailed information can be found by accessing the White Paper that is online at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

Per Sage, users that had version 4.3 or above of Sage MAS90 or MAS200 had the BOI included in the software release. Versions before that such as 4.2 and below, if a request is made to your Sage Reseller new license keys that include the BOI can be provided by Sage and added into the Activation.

Comprehensive Impact of Business Framework Object Interface

The Business Framework Object Interface provides a consistent Application Programming  Interface (API) to a range of development languages, from VB.net or VBScript to C # or C++.

The Sage ERP MAS Business Framework enforces all the business rules built into Sage 100 ERP MAS 90 and 200 for simple data retrieval as well as inserts and updates. Complex transactions involving many tables are completely separate from the user interface. This is where much of the power lies. Third-party developers can leverage the data validation routines within  the business objects without modifying or re engineering the underlying source code of  the application.

When developers learn how to use one of the Business Objects—such as a Sales Order,  Customer, or General Ledger Journal Entry business object—they know how to use all of them  because they inherit their behavior from the same base classes. The Business Framework also includes Update Objects, which allows for the automation of processes such as batch posting of invoices. Access to lightweight Service Objects used for validations and related services, for  example calculation of a payment terms due date, are also available. Report Objects enable executing reports from outside of the Sage ERP MAS 90 and 200 User Interface, allowing for custom report scheduling. 

Written by Mike Renner, Partner WAC Consulting, Owner at Computer Accounting Services

Mike is an expert on Sage 100 ERP with over 25 years in the accounting software industry. Mike is also a Sage Certified Trainer and a recognized leader in the design, implementation and support of ERP systems, including Sage.

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