Core focus:
Innov8 specialises in delivering tailored digital solutions designed to meet the unique needs of mid-sized businesses across industries such as manufacturing, construction, and distribution. By leveraging Sage’s powerful financial technology, Innov8 empowers its clients to streamline operations, eliminate inefficient manual processes, and implement cutting-edge tools like cloud-based financial management systems, inventory optimisation technologies, and industry-specific software integrations.
From improving production planning in manufacturing to enabling real-time cost tracking in construction projects, Innov8’s solutions are built to drive efficiency, enhance decision-making, and help businesses scale effectively. Their client-focused approach ensures each solution is customised to align with business goals, making technology adoption seamless and results-driven.
Why Sage?
“When it comes to business solutions, we are exclusively Sage, and that’s because In Sage’s ecosystem, we’re empowered to innovate,” says Carl Maher, Innov8’s founder and managing director. “It’s a unique environment where partners collaborate, ISVs connect, and clients see rapid results—all with a high level of flexibility and support.”
Key Sage products used:
Headquartered in the North-West of England, with offices also in the North-East, South Yorkshire, Midlands, South-West and also Northern Ireland, Innov8 specialises in delivering tailored digital solutions, including cloud-based financial management systems, inventory optimisation tools, and industry-specific software integrations, to mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. For 27 years, the company has exclusively partnered with Sage, building its solutions around Sage’s ecosystem to help clients in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and distribution streamline operations, reduce costs, and accelerate digital transformation.
“We’ve been with them from Sage 50 to Sage Intacct, and as their technology evolves, so does our ability to transform businesses,” says Carl Maher, Innov8’s founder and managing director. “We believe in Sage because it works—and it works because it grows alongside our clients.”
A partnership that delivers real business impact
Founded in 1997 with a small, ambitious team, Innov8 has grown into a trusted Sage partner, now employing over 100 people across six locations and generating £15 million in revenue. Over the years, this partnership has enabled Innov8 to deliver significant results, showcasing the transformative power of Sage solutions.
Innov8’s clients operate in high-demand industries where precision, efficiency, and scalability are critical. For example:
“One of our clients came to us with a serious issue: they were losing nearly £250,000 a year to stock shrinkage,” recalls Carl Maher. “After integrating our system with Sage’s finance platform, they were able to eliminate that loss entirely. That’s what ‘Sage for life’ means—our clients trust us because they know we’ll bring them lasting results.”
Innov8’s ability to deliver significant outcomes is further exemplified through its collaboration with Sage Intacct and its innovative InnStock technology. Designed to address the complexities of modern warehousing and distribution, InnStock seamlessly integrates with Sage Intacct to provide clients with transformative benefits:
In addition, Innov8 has streamlined the migration process for Sage 50 clients adopting Sage Intacct, with their new ‘Agile’ methodology reducing transition times from 15 days to just two. This ensures businesses can implement new technologies with minimal disruption and lower cost, allowing them to focus on growth and innovation.
These successes demonstrate how Innov8 helps businesses in specific verticals overcome their unique challenges. “Automation and AI are game-changers,” Maher explains. “We’re helping our clients embrace these technologies without fear, enabling them to achieve more with less effort.”
By aligning with Sage’s advancements in AI and automation, Innov8 ensures its clients remain competitive, adaptable, and future-ready, thriving even in challenging market conditions.
What makes Sage’s partner ecosystem stand out
Innov8’s success is rooted in its exclusive partnership with Sage, a choice driven by Sage’s dynamic and collaborative ecosystem. “We are Sage only, and with Sage, we’re not just a vendor; we’re part of an ecosystem that actively fosters innovation,” explains Maher. “It allows us to deliver solutions that meet real customer needs faster and with greater flexibility.”
In Sage’s ecosystem, Innov8 works closely with ISVs and other partners to create bespoke solutions tailored to client requirements. This collaborative environment gives Innov8’s customers access to tools and expertise that enable rapid, impactful transformations.
Looking ahead: A vision rooted in growth and innovation
As Innov8 plans for the future, its ambitions are bold. By leveraging Sage’s cutting-edge solutions, and ensuring that all innovations are scalable, the company aims to increase turnover from £15m to £25m over the next two years. “While a £10m increase in turnover may seem ambitious, with 50% growth over the past two years, this path is one we know well. We are excited and fully equipped for the next phase of our journey,” says Maher.
Additionally, Innov8 is focused on expanding its Sage Intacct offering, positioning itself as a leader in cloud-based financial management solutions. Recent accolades, including Sage UKI Innovation Partner 2024 and Sage EMEA Intacct Growth Partner 2024, highlight that Innov8’s commitment to “Excellence Through Innovation” is more than just a statement—it’s a core part of their identity and consistently demonstrated through measurable success.
“Our goal is to help our clients get further faster,” Maher says. “With Sage, we can ensure they stay competitive, agile, and ready for the challenges ahead by making quicker, smarter business decisions.”
