BusinessWorks moves to a managed server
Your BusinessWorks program and company data are installed on a current, supported Windows server in a professional data center.
Sage BusinessWorks Hosting
Sage BusinessWorks Hosting for Teams That Still Rely On It
Sage BusinessWorks hosting moves your BusinessWorks accounting and payroll off an aging office machine and onto a secure, managed cloud server. Your team keeps the modules, reports and workflows they know, gets safe access from anywhere, and you get time to plan your next system on your schedule instead of after a hardware failure.
Get a Sage Hosting Quote- MFA on every login
- Encrypted sessions
- Tested, off-site backups
- Migration and setup included
How it works
Keep BusinessWorks Running Without the Old Server
Secure access from anywhere
Users sign in with MFA and open BusinessWorks in an encrypted remote session. No data is stored on home computers.
Time to plan, not panic
With the system stable and backed up, you can decide when and where to move next, without a failing server forcing the decision.
Understanding BusinessWorks hosting
What Is Sage BusinessWorks Hosting?
Sage BusinessWorks hosting is a service that installs your licensed BusinessWorks accounting software on a secure cloud server, with your general ledger, payables, receivables, inventory, payroll and job cost data, and gives authorized users encrypted remote access. The provider manages the server, security, backups and Windows updates.
6 modules
General Ledger, AP, AR, Inventory, Payroll and Job Cost, hosted together
Supported
a current, patched Windows server instead of the one under the desk
0 rush
no forced migration while you evaluate what comes next
Why it matters
Old Software Often Lives on Older Hardware
BusinessWorks customers tend to be loyal, long-time users. That’s a strength, but it often means the software runs on a server or PC that’s past its prime, on a Windows version Microsoft no longer patches. The longer that continues, the more a single hardware failure or ransomware infection can cost. Hosting moves BusinessWorks onto a current, monitored platform today. It’s a sensible bridge, whether you plan to stay on BusinessWorks for years or move to Sage 50 or Sage 100 later.
| Option | What it involves | Risk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay on the office server | No change | High if hardware or Windows is out of support | Short term only |
| Host BusinessWorks | Same software on a managed server | Low | Keeping BusinessWorks while you plan |
| Migrate to another Sage product | New software, data conversion, training | Medium during the project | Teams ready to change now |
| Host now, migrate later | Stabilize today, convert on your timeline | Low | Most BusinessWorks users |
Who it’s for
Hosted BusinessWorks for Long-Time Users
If BusinessWorks still runs your accounting and payroll, hosting protects that investment while you decide what’s next.
Payroll in-house
Companies Running Their Own Payroll
Payroll data and tax updates stay on a protected server, and the payroll clerk can process from home when needed.
Aging hardware
Offices With an Old Server
If your BusinessWorks machine is out of warranty or running an unsupported Windows version, hosting removes that risk now.
Remote teams
Owners and Staff Who Travel
Check reports and approve payables without a VPN or remote-control tool that leaves the office PC exposed.
Planning ahead
Businesses Evaluating a Replacement
Keep historical data accessible during and after a move to a new system, so audits and lookups don’t depend on old hardware.
What’s included
What’s Included in BusinessWorks Hosting
We set up BusinessWorks on a supported platform, protect it, and keep it running while you focus on the business.
01
Managed Server for BusinessWorks
A current Windows server sized for your company data and users, with compatibility tested before go-live.
- Supported Windows Server
- SSD storage
- Compatibility testing
02
Data Migration & Testing
We move every BusinessWorks company and its history, then test posting, payroll and reports.
- All companies and years
- Custom forms and reports
- Printer and check setup
03
User Access & Permissions
Named logins for every user, with BusinessWorks security controlling what each person can see and change.
- One account per person
- MFA on every login
- Quick offboarding
04
Layered Security & MFA
Security controls that line up with the FTC Safeguards Rule, which covers firms that handle customer financial data.
- Multi-factor authentication on every login
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Firewall, endpoint protection and monitoring
05
Automated Backups & Recovery
Your BusinessWorks data is backed up automatically and copied off-site. Restores are tested, so a backup is something we’ve proven we can bring back.
- Scheduled, automated backups
- Off-site copies for disaster recovery
- Point-in-time restores on request
06
Migration Planning Support
When you’re ready to move on, we help you compare options and keep historical BusinessWorks data available for lookups.
- Replacement options review
- Read-only archive of history
- Coordination with your Sage partner
How it works
How We Host Sage BusinessWorks
BusinessWorks moves are usually quick. We test payroll and check printing carefully before cutover.
Discovery Call
We review your BusinessWorks version, users, company data size, add-ons and integrations.
~30 minEnvironment Build
We size and secure the server, set up named users with MFA, and install BusinessWorks and test it on the new Windows version.
Built to your setupMigration & Testing
Your BusinessWorks data moves over, and we test logins, permissions, printing, reports and integrations before go-live.
Scheduled cutoverGo-Live & Support
Your team gets simple login guides and a walkthrough. After that, our team handles updates, monitoring and support requests.
Ongoing managementThe stakes
The Risks of Leaving BusinessWorks on an Old Machine
Stable software can hide unstable infrastructure. These are the risks BusinessWorks users run into most.
Unsupported Windows Versions
+
When Windows or Windows Server reaches end of support, Microsoft stops releasing security fixes. Accounting and payroll data on that machine becomes an easy target.
Microsoft product lifecycleHardware Failure
+
Older servers fail without much warning. Without a tested backup, payroll history and open invoices can be lost.
Single point of failureKnowledge Walking Out the Door
+
Often one person knows how the old BusinessWorks machine works. When they leave, nobody knows how to restore it.
Undocumented setupsCompliance Gaps
+
Payroll and customer financial data need MFA and encryption under the FTC Safeguards Rule. Older local setups rarely have either.
16 CFR Part 314What Hosting Changes
Moving to a managed cloud environment replaces the weakest parts of a local setup:
- Single office server → redundant data center infrastructure
- VPN or open remote desktop → MFA-protected, encrypted sessions
- Forgotten backups → automated, off-site and restore-tested
- Ad-hoc patching → managed Windows, SQL and application updates
- Data on laptops → data that stays on the server
Before you move
Questions to Answer Before Hosting BusinessWorks
These questions shape both the hosting setup and your longer-term plan.
Your Current Setup
- Which BusinessWorks version and service pack are you on? We confirm compatibility with a current Windows Server.
- Do you run payroll in BusinessWorks? We’ll test tax updates and check printing.
- What reports or exports do others rely on? Excel exports and custom reports need testing.
- How many years of history do you need? This decides storage and archive plans.
Your Longer-Term Plan
- How long do you expect to stay on BusinessWorks? Hosting works for months or years.
- What would trigger a change? Payroll needs, user count or reporting are common triggers.
- Which systems are you considering? Sage 50 and Sage 100 are common next steps.
- Who will own the migration? Your Sage partner, us, or both together.
Common questions
Sage BusinessWorks Hosting FAQs
What is Sage BusinessWorks hosting?+
It’s a service that installs your licensed Sage BusinessWorks on a secure cloud server so your team can use it from anywhere. The provider manages the server, security, backups and Windows updates.
Is Sage retiring BusinessWorks?+
Sage classifies BusinessWorks as a non-core product with limited new development, but it hasn’t announced a retirement date. Check with Sage or your Sage partner for the latest status on your version.
Is BusinessWorks cloud-based?+
No. BusinessWorks is desktop software. Hosting gives it cloud-style access by running it on a remote server that users reach through an encrypted session.
Can we still run payroll in hosted BusinessWorks?+
Yes. Payroll runs the same way it does today. We test payroll processing and check printing before go-live.
Can you help us move off BusinessWorks later?+
Yes. We can help you compare replacement options and keep your BusinessWorks history accessible in a read-only archive after you switch.
How much does BusinessWorks hosting cost?+
Pricing is per user, per month, and depends on storage, backup retention and whether you need a dedicated server. We quote after a short discovery call.
Keep reading
Related Sage Hosting Services
OverviewSage Hosting ServicesEvery Sage product we host, how it works, and how to pick the right setup.Learn more ↗Next stepSage 50 HostingHosted Sage 50 Pro, Premium and Quantum for small businesses and accounting firms.Learn more ↗Next stepSage 100 HostingSage 100 ERP on a managed server for distributors and manufacturers.Learn more ↗SecuritySecurity SolutionsEndpoint protection, monitoring and email security for every device that connects.Learn more ↗
Get started today
Protect BusinessWorks Today and Plan Tomorrow
Tell us which BusinessWorks version you run and how many people use it. We’ll move it to a secure, supported server and give you a clear path for whatever comes next.
Get a Sage Hosting Quote