Sage 300 CRE is one of those ERPs everyone in construction and real estate has at least heard of, even if they haven’t used it.
It shows up in almost every “best construction software” list. And rightly so. It has been the safe pick in construction accounting since its launch in the early 1970s.
When a software is in the industry for that long, it either becomes battle-tested or outdated.
So which one is Sage? Does it bring order to the chaos or become part of the chaos itself?
That’s what I wanted to know too. So I went through user reviews on different community forums. My findings revealed that Sage 300 CRE sits somewhere in the middle. Users appreciate it for being the pioneer and feature-rich, but at the same time, complain about its parts, which haven’t kept pace with modern needs.
In this brief Sage 300 CRE review, I have summed up my findings. You’ll learn the key strengths and weaknesses of the software pointed out by real users. I’ll also introduce you to a solution that fixes most of Sage’s issues and brings back its glory.
Let’s start with a basic intro to the platform.
What is Sage 300 CRE
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE) originally launched in 1971 as Timberline software.
It is now a mature ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, and Sage’s own statistics show that roughly 59% of the ENR Top 400 contractors use it.
And one of the standout things about Sage is that it has a non-trivial 50,000+ user base.
The software offers financial management (accounts payable/receivable, general ledger), job costing, payroll, project and document management, and property-management functions to construction and real estate firms wanting to streamline their finances.
We wrote a comprehensive introduction to Sage 300 CRE. You might want to check it out if you are interested in understanding the history of Sage in depth.
Let’s explore where Sage 300 CRE performs well.
Key Strengths of Sage 300 CRE
As I mentioned above, many companies, including industry giants, still use Sage 300 CRE.
How does Sage make these companies stay loyal?
One of the main reasons is Sage’s industry-specific depth.
Users say that Sage’s modules for job costing, billing, change orders, construction-specific payroll, inter-company transactions, and real estate lease management link so well that data entered in one part of the system can be easily retrieved from the rest.
Another strength is Sage’s customization options. The software doesn’t compel users to have a good grounding in programming expertise. Firms with unique processes or specialized reporting needs can easily adjust screens, fields, and reports to match their specific workflows.
Sage’s support structure is also liked by many. User reviews on TrustRadius praise Sage’s U.S.-based support team for being knowledgeable and responsive whenever they needed help with complex issues and setups.
Users also like the platform’s integration with third-party applications like Procore, RSMeans estimating data, and various payroll systems, which eliminates the need for switching between platforms.
Additional Sage CRE 300 Strengths Users Point Out
Some users also highlight a practical advantage that does not always get talked about. Sage 300 CRE has decades long history in the industry, which basically means that most accountants and project administrators in the construction space already understand its basic structure.
For companies, this can shorten training time for new hires and reduce the friction that comes with jumping from one system to another.
Another strength is its audit trail. Users appreciate that every adjustment, entry, and approval is traceable. This helps teams avoid confusion when managing subcontractor bills, progress draws, or cost changes.
Sage’s role-based permissions are also valued. Firms can limit who sees what, which keeps sensitive financial information secure while still giving field teams access to the data they actually need.
Key Weaknesses of Sage 300 CRE Users Struggle With
Sage 300 CRE also has its fair share of drawbacks, like any ERP.
Most negative reviews are about the software’s outdated user interface. Users comment that certain UI elements, like fonts and windows, look like they belong to the early 2000s. They say that many requests (even simple ones, like a bigger font or more characters in certain input fields) go unaddressed.
They say that the clunky interface slows down their workflow, and simple tasks require clicking through multiple screens.
The software’s old, pervasive database architecture also creates performance issues, especially when data sets are large or reports are complex.
The software struggles with speed, even when users have a well-configured server infrastructure. Users complain that their reports can take frustratingly long to generate. Even during data entry, certain screens lag noticeably.
However, some users seem to have found a solution to this. They report that third-party Sage add-ons like Anterra Data Center (ADC) and AnterraBI have helped them reach acceptable performance levels.
I also found some Reddit threads of some users complaining about data migration.
One person mentioned that their company has used Sage 300 CRE for 25 years, yet their transition to Sage Intacct, scheduled for 10/1/24, was stuck in limbo four months later.
In another Reddit thread, one user shared that they received scammy support calls demanding money. They said that right after asking Sage to escalate a support case, a fake Sage support agent called them and tried to charge them $1800. When the user contacted Sage to verify, the platform denied any connection to the caller.
Anterra to the Rescue
Having looked at both sides, Sage 300 CRE may not look flawless. But that doesn’t make it useless. It is a time-tested ERP system that still deserves respect.
As mentioned earlier, its performance issues are fixable.
If you feel that your Sage 300 CRE setup is showing its age, you can extend its life with our Sage 300 CRE add-on.
The Anterra Data Center (ADC) and Anterra BI are both solutions that address the reporting and performance limitations of Sage 300 CRE.
Anterra Data Center runs parallel to your existing system and replicates data into an SQL server database.
An SQL server makes queries run faster, which Sage’s pervasive database isn’t built for.
In addition to improving speed, an SQL server also improves your system’s reporting and analytical capabilities.
From that point, our main product, AnterraBI, takes over. For construction companies, Anterra’s construction project dashboard consolidates vital KPIs to offer detailed reports you couldn’t view before.
And for real estate companies, we offer lease expiry reporting and occupancy dashboard maps to view property-level details.
Sign up for an Anterra demo today and see how much better your Sage 300 CRE gets.
FAQs
What is the Purpose of Sage CRE 300?
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE), originally branded as Sage Timberline Office before the 2012 rebranding, is a construction/real estate-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution.
If we call it just an accounting software, that would be akin to oversimplifying its functionality, especially when it comes with integrated project management, job costing, and vendor risk mitigation modules.
Real estate developers and property managers rely on the software’s real-time collaboration tools and granular reporting features, which are fully customizable because, obviously, static reports wouldn’t suffice for dynamic project environments.
The function of Sage 300 CRE is to consolidate financial operations, subcontractor compliance tracking, and bid management into a unified system to optimize workflow efficiency.
It also has remote-access capabilities. It means you could theoretically manage an entire construction project from a coffee shop (don’t try, though).
What is Sage 300 software used for?
Sage 300 is used by businesses that want an easy yet comprehensive way to manage accounting, finances, inventory, and operations from a single dashboard. It helps teams from different departments monitor cash flow, handle bills, manage sales, and keep an eye on stock levels without the hassle of managing multiple different tools.
Most companies choose Sage 300 because it integrates well across departments and reduces hours of manual work for employees. It also supports multiple currencies and locations, which makes it useful for businesses that are scaling or would likely scale in the future. Basically, Sage 300 gives you a clear view of your numbers so you can make better decisions and stay organized.
What is Sage construction software?
Sage construction software is ideal for contractors who need help managing projects from start to finish. It brings together budgeting, job costing, payroll, purchasing, and project tracking so teams can work with accurate information at all times.
Contractors use it to keep costs under control, manage deadlines, and improve communication between the office and the field. It also helps with reporting, so project managers can quickly see how a job is performing. With everything in one system, it becomes easier to avoid mistakes and keep construction projects running smoothly.