Sage ERP X3 Certified Development

Professional and Sage Certified Solution

programs
Frequently asked questions
As of November 2014

Q: What are these new programs?

A: These new programs are designed to provide developers and organizations with a
pathway to integrate their solutions to Sage ERP X3, establish and maintain the skillsets
needed to integrate those solutions, achieve Sage-recognized certification statuses at
individual and solution levels, and earn new incremental revenue opportunities through
Sage.
Sage ERP X3 Certified Development Professional (SCDP) program: This first new
program gives individuals the opportunity to achieve a Sage-recognized developer-level
certification status by completing developer course curricula on Sage University.
Individuals may apply to become a SCDP and must complete and pass the Sage
University developer curricula to achieve recognition as a certified developer for Sage
ERP X3. Individuals must renew their certifications annually and complete any required
incremental training to maintain their certified status.
Initial program cost: $3,000 per individual
Annual renewal: $1,000 per individual
Sage ERP X3 Certified Solution (SCS) program: Through this second new program
organizations may submit their Sage ERP X3 add-on solutions for certification testing and
resale to Sage channel partners and end users. Sage tests for version compliance, best
practice integration methodologies, stability, data integrity, and more to provide an
elevated level of confidence to both the developer and Sage customers that the add-on
solution meets Sage standards. To be eligible to apply to the SCS program, an
organization must maintain at least one SCDP on staff for Sage ERP X3. Solutions that
pass testing will be added to the Sage price list and Sage directory via a certified solution
agreement with Sage. Sage channel partners and end users will be able to find Sagecertified third-party add-on solutions from a single Sage directory and purchase these
solutions directly from Sage.
Initial program fee: $8,500 per Sage ERP X3 certified solution; includes
certification testing and a credit toward Sage Summit exhibitor costs
Annual renewal: $8,500 per certified solution; annual renewal will be waived if
Sage rev share from sales of the certified solution exceeds $8,500 per annum

Solution providers must have an active Sage Certified Development Professional

registered with Sage and have a current Sage Development Care Plan to be
eligible to join the Sage Certified Solution program.

V11.11.2014

Page 1 of 7

Q: Are these new programs available for Sage ERP X3 developers and solution
providers globally?
A: The new programs will launch initially for North American developers with plans to roll
out to other global regions in the following months. Sage ERP X3 Certified Solution
providers will potentially be able to have their solutions also sold by other Sage OpCos.
(The provider will need to sign separate regional certified solution distribution agreements
with each Sage Opco.)
Q: What are the requirements to join each program? And what are the benefits each
program provides?
A:
Requirements

Sage ERP X3 Certified

Development
Professional program

Sage ERP X3 Certified

Solution program

Submit application

Yes, Sage Certified

Development
Professional Application

Yes, Sage Certified Solution

Application

Pay program fees

$3,000 per person

$8,500 per solution per year

Complete coursework
training and pass with an
80% passing grade
Maintain certification status
by paying the annual
renewal fee and passing
annual renewal
assessments

Yes

Yes, $1,000 annual

renewal fee

---

---

Purchase annual
Development Care Plan
and sign ISV License and
Support agreement

---

Yes, to gain access to Sage

ERP X3 software and
developer support

Sign Certified Solution

agreement

---

Yes

Submit software and

documentation and pass
Sage solution certification
testing

---

Yes

Maintain a minimum of one

Sage ERP X3 Certified
Development Professional
on staff

---

Yes

V11.11.2014

Page 2 of 7

Provide first-level support to

customers

---

Yes, the solution provider is

responsible for providing
direct customer support for
its solution

Maintain N-1 version

compatibility with the latest
Sage ERP X3 product
version or updates

---

Yes, within 60 days of Sage

releasing such update or
version

Benefits

Sage ERP X3 Certified

Development
Professional program

Sage ERP X3 Certified

Solution program

Receive on-demand, live

online and in-room training
and course material

Yes

---

Sage ERP X3 developer

certification recognized at an
individual level

Yes

---

Access to incremental gap

and recertification training as
Sage releases new versions

Yes

---

Access to Sage ERP X3

software and keys

---

By purchasing the
Advanced Development
Care plan

Access to Sage
development support

---

By purchasing the
Advanced Development
Care plans

Solution listing on Sage price

sheets and directory

---

Yes

Incremental revenue
opportunities

---

Rev share earned from

perpetual or cloud licensing
sales and M&S
Invoicing and billing
handled by Sage

Increased exposure to Sage

sales channel and
customers

---

Through participation in
Sage Summit and other
partner event opportunities

Certified Solution logo for

marketing purposes

---

Yes

No minimum new license

sales commitment

---

No minimum new license

sales commitment required

Credit toward Sage Summit

event costs

V11.11.2014

Yes

Page 3 of 7

Q: What comes with a Sage Development Care Plan?

A: Organizations that employ at least one Sage ERP X3 Certified Development
Professional may purchase a Sage Development Care Plan. Sage Development Care
Plans provide resources and support to build integrations to that particular Sage product.
The Sage ERP X3 Development Care Plan includes:
Sage Development

Cost

Sage resources included

Care level

Advanced

$5,000 USD annually

for Sage ERP X3

Includes access to NFR (Not for Resale) Sage ERP X3

software and keys.
Includes 20 developer support cases.

Solution providers will not receive Sage ERP X3 keys until they have registered a
Sage ERP X3 Certified Development Professional and that individual has
successfully completed and passed Sage ERP X3 developer training curricula.

Q: Can organizations certify their Sage ERP X3 solution through the Sage Certified
Solution program and then sell it directly to Sage channel partners and end users?
A: No. Sage channel partners and customers will only be able to purchase third-party
certified solutions from Sage. Under the new Certified Solution program Sage channel
partners and customers will have just a single destination to go to in order to easily locate
and purchase third-party certified solutions.
Q: How do solution providers earn revenue through the Sage Certified Solution
program?
A: Once an organization has paid the $8,500 program fee, signed the Sage Certified
Solution agreement, and successfully passed certification testing, then Sage will add the
certified solution to Sage price sheets. Sage channel partners and end users can
purchase the certified solution directly from Sage, and Sage pays a revenue share to the
certified solution provider based on the net sales price.
Sage will work with the solution provider to determine product license SKU descriptions
and pricing, annual M&S SKU descriptions and pricing, or product subscription SKU
descriptions and pricing depending on if the certified solution is a perpetual license-based
solution or a subscription-based solution.
Q: Do Sage channel partners receive a percentage of a certified solutions sale?
A: Yes. The Sage channel partner of record receives a revenue share of the certified
solutions net sell price.
Q: What happens if a solution provider fails to maintain the N-1 version compliance
requirement?
A: Sage will initially test a solution providers solution for N-1 version compliance. The
solution must meet this to pass the initial certification testing and achieve a Sage Certified
Solution status.

V11.11.2014

Page 4 of 7

Once in the program, the certified solution partner must maintain the same N-1 version
compliance when Sage releases new product versions. The provider has 60 days after
Sage releases a new version to ensure their solution is compatible with the new Sage
version release. If the provider is not N-1 version compliant by day 60, Sage will reduce
the providers revenue share fees until the providers solution meets the N-1 version
compliance requirement.

Marketing FAQ
Q: How will Sage promote the Sage ERP X3 certified solutions in the new Sage
Certified Solution program?
A: Sage will list each certified solution in our upcoming new e-directory and promote that
e-directory to Sage ERP X3 channel partners and sales teams, installed base end users,
and new prospect customers. Traffic drivers will include monthly e-newsletter
announcements and spotlights for new certified solutions as they become added, email
blasts to create awareness of and value in the Sage e-directory, social media reach
activities, SEO activities and more.
Sage will provide and promote a comprehensive and informative online e-directory that
gives visitors an easy-to-use single resource for certified third-party solutions. Visitors will
be able to search for certified solutions, read detailed product feature information about
each solution, understand which Sage product versions each solution supports, contact
the certified solution provider for more information, and more.
Q: Will Sage provide certified solution providers with marketing tools?
A: Yes, Sage ERP X3 solution providers who join the certified solution program and
complete certification testing will receive a Sage marketing kit. The kit includes a Sage
Certified Solution logo, SEO and SEM optimization best practice recommendations to help
the providers promote their certified solution, a press release template, and email
template, and website copy.

Sage certified solution providers may use the Sage Certified Solution logo only in
conjunction with specifically promoting their certified solution. Providers may not
use the logo to promote their organization as a Sage certified developer.

Q: Is every Sage ERP X3 Certified Solution provider required to exhibit at Sage

Summit?
A: Yes, every Sage Certified Solution provider must exhibit at Sage Summit each year.
This is your opportunity to showcase your solution, meet Sage channel partners, make
customer connections, and build your relationship with Sage. Each provider is responsible
for its exhibitor, travel, and lodging costs. However, Sage will give you a $2,000 credit per
solution certified toward your exhibitor costs as a benefit to being in the Sage Certified
Solution program.

V11.11.2014

Page 5 of 7

FAQ for existing Sage ERP X3 silver, gold, endorsed developer, and reseller
partners:
Q: Will the new programs replace the existing silver, gold, and endorsed partner
programs?
A: Yes, the new SCDP and SCS programs are planned to eventually replace the existing
silver, gold, and endorsed programs for Sage ERP X3 third party solutions.
Beginning October 2014, new Sage ERP X3 developer organizations will only be able to
access Sage ERP X3 developer tools and support by purchasing the new Development
Care Plan. Organizations must have a registered Certified Development Professional for
Sage ERP X3 before they are eligible to buy a Development Care Plan for Sage ERP X3
development.
Existing Sage ERP X3 developers will still have access to developer tools and support
until their current subscriptions expire, at which point they will need to purchase
Development Care Plans to continue entitlement to Sage ERP X3 tools and support.
Any Sage ERP X3 developers who wish to submit an add-on solution into the Certified
Solution program must have at least one Certified Development Professional registered
for Sage ERP X3 and have a current Development Care Plan.
Q: Are existing Sage ERP X3 silver, gold and endorsed partners eligible to
participate in these new programs?
A: Existing developer partners will be able to access Sage ERP X3 developer tools and
support under their existing program subscriptions until they expire. We encourage silver,
gold, and endorsed partners to become familiar with the new programs as soon as
possible.
Existing partners may join the Sage ERP X3 Certified Solution program but must have at
least one Sage ERP X3 Certified Development Professional on staff and have an active
Development Care Plan for Sage ERP X3.
Q: Can existing Sage ERP X3 silver, gold, and endorsed partners join the new SCDP
and SCS programs before their existing subscriptions expire?
A: Yes. Existing partners can apply into the SCDP and CSC programs before their annual
program subscriptions expire. Sage will work with them to transition from their current
agreements to the new SCDP and SCS agreements.
Q: Can Sage reseller partners submit a Sage ERP X3 add-on solution into the
Certified Solution program?
A: Yes, Sage reseller partners who have developed a Sage ERP X3 add-on can submit
their add-on into the Sage Certified Solution program. However, the Sage reseller partner
must have at least one registered Sage ERP X3 Certified Development Professional on
staff to support its solution.

V11.11.2014

Page 6 of 7

How to contact the Sage ISV team:

For Sage 500 ERP and Sage ERP X3
questions please contact:
Chris Corder
Sr. Product Manager, Sage
6561 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 98618
[email protected]
Direct: 949-864-7159

V11.11.2014

Page 7 of 7